1/76 M3, M5A1 & M9A1 US Armored Halftracks

Millitary miscellany; Tanks, AFV, Trucks and other Soft-Skin vehicles etc.
User avatar
ntrocket88
Active Participant
Posts: 827
Joined: July 2nd, 2012, 11:49 pm
Location: New Jersey, USA

Re: 1/76 M3A1 and M5A1 US Armored Halftracks

Post by ntrocket88 »

For the fiddly 50-cal MG pulpit, this time I used two sides from the Airfix one, thinned down considerably, for stiffness. Then added the rest from plastic strip.
Image

I made a bend in the kit RHS (as viewed by the driver...) and then trimmed the width of the front to compensate.
Image

I also added an ammo box for the 50-cal and carved the firing handles:
Image

On the M9A1 itself, I added replacement resin Jerry Cans because the kit ones had sink holes right in the middle, right where most of the detail is. I also added the side 30-cal MG mounts on either side. Shown here with the pulpit dry assembled:
Image
Neil

'With every model I learn a little more...and then the next one takes longer!'
User avatar
ntrocket88
Active Participant
Posts: 827
Joined: July 2nd, 2012, 11:49 pm
Location: New Jersey, USA

Re: 1/76 M3A1 and M5A1 US Armored Halftracks

Post by ntrocket88 »

I airbrushed the overall SCC2 on the outside of the M9 and all over the 6-pdr, then sprayed an SCC14 disruptive pattern on the halftrack. The pulpit is attached, and just needs the support post added at the back. The decals are for the 8th Motor Battalion/The Rifle Brigade, 29th Armoured Brigade, 11th Armoured Division in Normandy 1944. The tracks/wheels are still dry assembled here, and next up is my least favorite painting exercise - tires (tyres). At least the tracks are rubber, so it is easier to paint the tires on the bogies...

Image
Image
Image
Image
Neil

'With every model I learn a little more...and then the next one takes longer!'
User avatar
ntrocket88
Active Participant
Posts: 827
Joined: July 2nd, 2012, 11:49 pm
Location: New Jersey, USA

Re: 1/76 M3A1 and M5A1 US Armored Halftracks

Post by ntrocket88 »

My favorite part... the first round of mud and dust! The suspension is now attached and everything sealed with a coat of matt varnish. Next up is the pin wash, detail painting, some stowage and a final dusting. I may even finish on time!
Image
Image
Image
Neil

'With every model I learn a little more...and then the next one takes longer!'
User avatar
ntrocket88
Active Participant
Posts: 827
Joined: July 2nd, 2012, 11:49 pm
Location: New Jersey, USA

Re: 1/76 M3A1 and M5A1 US Armored Halftracks

Post by ntrocket88 »

And finally, the finished result:
Image
Airfix White Halftrack M3A1 Converted To M9A1 BRR

Image
Airfix White Halftrack M3A1 Converted To M9A1 LF

Image
Airfix White Halftrack M3A1 Converted To M9A1 LHS

Image
Airfix White Halftrack M3A1 Converted To M9A1 LR

Image
Airfix White Halftrack M3A1 Converted To M9A1 RF

Image
Airfix White Halftrack M3A1 Converted To M9A1 LFTop

Image
Airfix White Halftrack M3A1 Converted To M9A1 LRTop

Image
Airfix White Halftrack M3A1 Converted To M9A1 RFTop
Neil

'With every model I learn a little more...and then the next one takes longer!'
User avatar
gnomemeansgnome
Modelling Gent and Scholar
Posts: 5269
Joined: July 16th, 2013, 4:03 pm
Location: No Fun City

Re: 1/76 M3, M5A1 & M9A1 US Armored Halftracks

Post by gnomemeansgnome »

Superb work! The track and gun almost look 35th scale with all that fine added detail. Well done.
Ego no habeo consilium.

ICBM = Insatiable Collector and Builder of Models
User avatar
JamesPerrin
Looks like his avatar
Posts: 13616
Joined: April 5th, 2011, 8:09 pm
Location: W. Yorkshire
Contact:

Re: 1/76 M3, M5A1 & M9A1 US Armored Halftracks

Post by JamesPerrin »

Beautifully detailed.
Classic British Kits SIG Leader Better to fettle than to fill
(2024 A:B 5:1) (2023 13:8:7) (2022 21:11) (2021 15:8) (2020 8:4:4)
User avatar
general rocket
Modelling Gent and Scholar
Posts: 2774
Joined: May 1st, 2011, 4:42 pm
Location: Telford

Re: 1/76 M3, M5A1 & M9A1 US Armored Halftracks

Post by general rocket »

Nice one.
I wish, that I knew what was doing!
User avatar
Clashcityrocker
Modelling Gent and Scholar
Posts: 10781
Joined: May 1st, 2011, 12:31 am
Location: Adelaide. South Australia

Re: 1/76 M3, M5A1 & M9A1 US Armored Halftracks

Post by Clashcityrocker »

Excellent work.

Nigel
ShaunW
NOT the sheep
Posts: 26118
Joined: November 26th, 2011, 6:11 pm
Location: Pontefract West Yorkshire

Re: 1/76 M3, M5A1 & M9A1 US Armored Halftracks

Post by ShaunW »

I've been asleep at my post here, Neil and have missed some of these updates. What a cracking job and this series of builds has to be some the best examples of these US half-tracks that I've ever seen in this scale. The paintwork and additional details are exemplary IMHO and you have really shown what can be done in 1/76th - some of those details would be tough to replicate in 1/35th and I can only assume that a microscope forms part of your modelling toolbox :ha:
Doing - Tamiya 1/35th Universal Carrier.

Work is the curse of the modelling classes!
IPMS#12300
LarryH57
The Bug Has Well And Truly Bitten
Posts: 236
Joined: December 4th, 2012, 11:58 pm

Re: 1/76 M3, M5A1 & M9A1 US Armored Halftracks

Post by LarryH57 »

A great application of dirt under the vehicle; how did you achieve that?
LarryH57
The Bug Has Well And Truly Bitten
Posts: 236
Joined: December 4th, 2012, 11:58 pm

Re: 1/76 M3, M5A1 & M9A1 US Armored Halftracks

Post by LarryH57 »

A further question; in the M5 earlier in this thread what colour did you use for the seat cushions. In the earlier photos it looks to be brown like Humbrol 29 and in others more green?
User avatar
FAAMAN
The Bug Has Well And Truly Bitten
Posts: 404
Joined: October 14th, 2014, 3:49 am
Location: Sydney Australia

Re: 1/76 M3, M5A1 & M9A1 US Armored Halftracks

Post by FAAMAN »

That is superb work, I'll have to book mark this thread
Been modelling for years, still learning . . . .
Model kits are meant to be assembled . . . . . . . . . . eventually.
User avatar
philp
Modelling Gent and Scholar
Posts: 1279
Joined: May 1st, 2011, 12:14 am
Location: Kearns, Utah
Contact:

Re: 1/76 M3, M5A1 & M9A1 US Armored Halftracks

Post by philp »

Was a great build on both. I did the MPC version of the Airfix kit back in the day when it was included in their Battle of the Bulge diorama kit. Did it straight OOB as I did most of them back then. Also built a couple of the Hasagawa 72nd scale kits and have the Academy in the stash hoping to make an Israeli version.

This build was great inspiration. Thanks.

And thanks to those of you who revived it so I could find it.
User avatar
FAAMAN
The Bug Has Well And Truly Bitten
Posts: 404
Joined: October 14th, 2014, 3:49 am
Location: Sydney Australia

Re: 1/76 M3, M5A1 & M9A1 US Armored Halftracks

Post by FAAMAN »

Is there a reference book that covers the US built Half Tracks ??
How bad is the Matchbox Half Track kit ?
Been modelling for years, still learning . . . .
Model kits are meant to be assembled . . . . . . . . . . eventually.
User avatar
ntrocket88
Active Participant
Posts: 827
Joined: July 2nd, 2012, 11:49 pm
Location: New Jersey, USA

Re: 1/76 M3, M5A1 & M9A1 US Armored Halftracks

Post by ntrocket88 »

Sorry for the very late response! Many thanks for the very kind comments.

@LarryH57: The underside mud was a mix of three MIG pigments applied with watered-down white glue. I added progressively less wet and more dry to give the effect shown.

@LarryH57 (again...): The seat cushions in both the M5 and M9 are supposed to look like faded olive drab. As far as I can tell, that's what they were manufactured as. I left them the same color in the M9, assuming that the Royal Engineers that repainted it would have removed the seat cushions first... I think I started with Humbrol H155 and added other colors to lighten it a bit, and weathered them too.

@FAAMAN: I think the Matchbox one is slightly under-scale, but is a reasonable match for an M16. The drive sprocket and idler are still very simplified, but the bogies are a lot better than the other 1/76 kits, as are the tracks. It also comes with the correct front mudguards for a White vehicle. The shape of the hood (bonnet) and front armor look incorrect to me, though. Since it comes with the upper hull sides folded down as an AA version, it would be harder to convert to a non-AA version as well.

Hope this helps!
Neil

'With every model I learn a little more...and then the next one takes longer!'
Post Reply

Return to “Tanks, AFV and other Military Models”