Dragon

1/35 M3 75mm Gun Motor Carriage

Kit Number: 6467

Reviewed by  Howie Belkin, IPMS# 16

MSRP: $56.95 Website: www.dragonmodelsusa.com According to my references, more than 2,200 M3 75mm GMCs were built, making it another important Allied fighting vehicle that thanks to Dragon, has finally been offered to modelers. And Dragon does not disappoint: this kit is well worth waiting for. If you have one of VLS's conversion kits originally designed and released by Willy Peeters, you're still going to want this model. The slide molded one piece injection molded gun shield is scale thinner than you would believe possible! The 75mm is a gem of a kit within a kit! Seven different markings options gives an indication of the widespread use of this vehicle by the U.S. and its Allies in many theatres of operations during WWII. Born during the time of need for a "Tank Destroyer" the M3 75mm GMC initially suffered grievous losses. American Armor forces were in the process of writing the book on "Armor Warfare" and for a time clung to the belief that specific vehicles should be developed and deployed to combat enemy tanks. Unfortunately the enemy didn't cooperate and play by the same rules. The M3 halftrack itself was created as an infantry taxi, to bring squads of infantry in close support of our highly mobile armor close to, but not to, a battlefield. Its armor could barely protect against shrapnel and small arms fire. Arming the halftrack with the 75mm canon based on a proven pre WWI French design did not change the halftrack's survivability. It still was an infantry support weapon - and not a tank killer. Though it had its tank killing successes, the U.S. and our Allies learned quickly, and put the M3 75mm GMCs to excellent use. Dragon's excellent 1/35 scale M3 halftrack begged for variants to be released, just as were the real variants during WWII. The M3 75mm GMC was a natural, and hopefully other variants are in the pike. First and foremost, you may have heard of complaints that "you must" replace the two front, "flat" tires. Resin after market replacements are available. Before you do, I want to point out that Squadron has an entire line of "True Details" "flat" tires for many different aircraft types and many modelers are quick to choose these as more realistic representations of real in-service tires than fully inflated ones. I also noticed that some reference photos of the M3 75mm GMC, especially the British A Squadron, 27th Lancers "Acorn Inn" show the real vehicle on a firing mission in a muddy field. The different angles that the photos were taken all imply that this vehicle especially, did have under inflated tires. So you have my blessing and Dragon should not be held accountable for making a "mistake" when in fact photo evidence implies under inflated tires actually occurred. You decide! As for the model itself, you have numerous decisions to make. Which specific vehicle you model determines whether to use the anti-ditching roller or winch; old or newer headlights and brush guards (I was still deciding when the photos were taken), etc. The basic engine, drive gear and chassis are the highly praised basic M3 models so what is there to say here aside from "thank you Dragon!" The only minor complaint I have is that all this magnificent under-the-hood detail won't be seen unless you carefully cut and open the hood, and add missing firewall detail. I've seen the Lion Roar M3 White halftrack engine and it is an improvement over DMLs engine. At the very least, you need to decide whether you want to show the front armored louvers posed open or closed as you will definitely see the radiator if open. I found it easier to complete the tracked running gear as separate subassemblies, adding them to the chassis as one of the last steps. The first assembly question arose in step 9 is to how do you want to finish the dashboard part B1? It has basic raised detail but the two large instruments should each be white with a distinctive red circle in the middle. No decals are provided but Archer has a set for you, or you can try painting them as I did. Finish these with 'glass" - I used Future floor wax. Then on to building the driver's compartment while that dries. DML provides two separate views to help you see where exactly the handbrake and shift levers go. You might want to cement the cylindrical generator filter (B27) in position before the gearshift levers. Part B18 may seem strange to you but it is the hand lever for adjusting the opening of the front armored radiator louvers. If you want, add a small knob on top of the handle: it's missing as was one on Jim Mesko's M2/M3 Half Track Walk Around featured vehicle. BTW the nicely done 2 pound (.9 kg) CO2 fire extinguisher B8 cylinder should be painted a metallic gold color, not red as you might assume. DML shows adding the battery box B4 in step 9 but you should have the right hand side of the compartment (T3) in position first. Note that parts T3 and T1 replace the M3 halftrack parts complete with miniscule screw head detail! I had a hard time figuring out how exactly parts R3 and R4 topped off the top of the front door openings so hopefully my photos will save you that lost time. DML DOES give you several views but it just wouldn't 'click' for me and none of my references showed this. In the rear compartment the drawings were pretty clear but a hesitation was part R28 which actually comes up from below the fighting platform and gets cemented in place. There are several ejection marks on it but you won't see them when the part is properly in place. Part R9 is unidentified and unclear how it is positioned. Each segment of the 75mm canon has a very small molded 'key' to help lock and align each segment to the next which are easily melted so take care. Follow step by step and the 75mm comes together as an impressive piece! Patience and dry fitting is required to fasten the gun shield to the gun barrel. The exposed ready rounds fill the compartment underneath the gun. I painted them black, then Rub n Buffed silver projectiles and gold cartridges. Join all your subassemblies and you're ready for your final finish. You have well-printed opaque Cartograf decals, with fine color registration for seven markings shown in 3 view drawings for overall O.D. as well as 2 tone schemes, including U.S. Tunisia, Sicily, "stateside," USMC Saipan, and 3 British Army vehicles including one with a large British air recognition roundel on top of the hood. The kit decals I used were opaque and snuggled right down with Future without decal silvering in the large clear film areas. Aside from the jerry cans there is no stowage provided. You can create your own a la Steve Zaloga, raid your spares box or visit the after market market. Lion Roar is just one of several with resin or photo etch stowage. If you hang helmets on yours, pay attention to the nationality you modeled. Cottage companies: Photos of Acorn Inn shows it loaded with 75mm ammo in the fighting compartment, a need begging to be filled. This old dog (me) is still uneasy using photo etch parts and greatly appreciate Dragon providing you with an option to use injection molded or P.E. parts. This IS an excellent kit that I highly recommend to experienced modelers. It has been on many modelers "Most Wanted" lists for the longest time as its historical significance far surpasses so many of the already modeled insignificant German vehicles that have already been addressed. There's a large parts count but the model goes together step by step. Thanks to Dragon Models USA for the review sample and my personal apology to them that I couldn't get to my review as promptly as I'd have liked. You can get your kit at better hobby shops or www.dragonmodelsusa.com. Now if they'd only release the entire U.S. M2-M3 series half tracks and many variants with their state of the art molding in 1/35 and 1/72nd scales to please the many modelers who fully appreciate that the Allies won WWII!! References: "M3 Half-Track in Action" by Jim Mesko. "Walk Around M2/M3 Half-Track" by Jim Mesko. The T-12 Halftrack 75mm Gun Motor Carriage" AFV-G2 article by Rick Fines "Military Vehicles in Detail US Half-Tracks" by Terry Gander "US Half-Tracks in Co0mbat 1941-45" Concord #7031 by Steven J. Zaloga "British Armor in Sicily and Italy" Concord #7068, by Dennis Oliver