Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series
HG3801 - US M8 Light Armored Car, "A" Troop,
25th Cavalry Recon. (Mechanized) Squadron,
4th Armored Division
True 1/72 scale.

Professionally painted.

Great attention to detail.

All markings are Tampoed (pad applied).

Extremely heavy metal with a minimum
of plastic.

Highly collectable.
THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES
NOT THE FINISHED MODEL
The American M8 was equipped with a 37mm gun and 6X6 wheel drive and was the
main recon vehicle used by the US military during WWII. The only positive thing the
crews had to say about the vehicle was it was reliable and fast on roads. It performed
poorly off road, was very lightly armored with only sheet metal for a floor. It had an
open top with no periscopes and exposed the crew to weather and enemy fire. Over
8,500 were manufactured in 1942 – 1943.


The 4th Armored Division, usually referred to as the “Breakthrough” Division was
composed of about 25 different types of units with the 25th Cavalry Recon. Squadron
(Mechanized) being one of them. Mechanized cavalry squadrons were organized with
three Cavalry Troops lettered A, B or C. Each troop had 13 M8 armored cars and
jeeps. On the books the main assignments for the Cavalry groups was reconnaissance
but in reality the crews were more often used for defensive operations, security or
screening missions.


Specifications for the Ford M8 light armored car
Crew – 4

Performance
Engine – Hercules JXD 6-cylinder gasoline 110 hp  (82Kw)
Speed – 56mph   (90km/h)
Range – 349.8 miles   (563km)
Turn radius – 28ft   (8.5m)
Maximum grade – 60%
Suspension – 6X6 wheel with leaf springs

Dimensions
Length – 16.4ft   (5m)
Width – 8.33ft   (2.54m)
Height – 7.38ft   (2.25m)

Armor – maximum 0.75in   (19mm)

Armament
Primary – 37mm M6 gun
Secondary –
1 X 0.30 caliber M1919A4 machine gun
1 X 0.50 caliber M2 machine gun
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