DESCRIPTION

M32A1B3 Armored Recovery Vehicle WWII Plastic Model Kit 

UniModel 470

1:72 Scale

Manufacturer: UniModel

Material: Plastic

Condition: New in original packaging

Historical reference

The M32 Armored Recovery Vehicle was an armored recovery vehicle (ARV) used during World War II and the Korean War by the United States, and was based on the chassis of the M4 Sherman. During World War II, the British also used several hundred M32s, which were obtained through Lend-Lease in 1944. The first four prototypes were produced in January 1943, labeled T5, T5E1, T5E2, T5E3, and T5E4. After a series of tests at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, the prototypes were approved as M32, M32E1, M32E2, M32E3, and M32E4. However, the M32E4 never entered production. There were also variants that had Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension (HVSS), which were demarcated by an A1 after the model.

Lima Locomotive started production of the vehicles in June 1943, with five M32B2s and 46 M32B3s. Pressed Steel Car produced 163 M32s and 475 M32B1s in 1944. They also produced 298 M32B3s. Baldwin Locomotive produced 195 M32B1s, while 398 M32B1s were produced by Federal Machine before the end of 1944. Many M32s were converted into M34 Prime Movers, used to pull heavy artillery. The M32s were used after 1944 during Operation Overlord and subsequent battles in the European Theater of Operations. It was also used during the Korean War. It was phased out after the introduction of the M74 Tank Recovery Vehicle in 1954, when heavier tanks were produced, such as the M46 Patton. The M32 had a 30 short tons (27 t) winch, 18 ft (5.5 m) boom, and an A-frame jib. It was armed with two machine guns and a mortar mainly to provide cover for an emergency retreat.

The M32 Tank Recovery Vehicle was an armored recovery vehicle based on the chassis of the M4 Sherman, adding an 18 ft (5.5 m) boom, an A-frame jib, and a 30-short-ton (27 t) winch. It was 19.3 ft (5.9 m) long, adding 18 ft (5.5 m) when the boom, which is used to lift damaged vehicles, was fully extended. The width was 8.9 ft (2.7 m) and the height was 9.66 ft (2.94 m). It weighed either 64,300 lb (29,200 kg) (M32, M32B1, and M32B3), or 67,600 lb (30,700 kg) (M32B2) depending on the model. The engine varied between which variant of the M4 Sherman it was based upon, so the M32 and M32B1 model had a Continental R975-C1 or -C4 9 cylinder radial gasoline engine, running at 2,400 rpm, the M32B2 model had a General Motors 6046 twin diesel engine; running at 2,100 rpm, and the M32B3 model had a Ford GAA V8 gasoline engine running at 2,600 rpm. The engines varied depending on the variant of the M4 Sherman the vehicle was based on because M32s were based on the M4 Sherman. The range and fuel capacity varied between 120–150 mi (190–240 km) and 148–175 US gal (560–660 l) respectively depending on the engine. However, top speed remained constant at 24 mph (39 km/h).

It had a Spicer manual synchromesh transmission, with one reverse and five forward gears. The suspension was VVSS for earlier variants, and HVSS for variants demarcated with an A1. It had between 0.5–2 in (13–51 mm) of armor depending on location. It had an armament that consisted of an 81 mm mortar, which was used to cover emergency retreats, and a 0.5 in (13 mm) M2 Browning machine gun combined with a 0.3 in (7.6 mm) M1919 machine gun. There were 20 hand grenades (Fragmentation Mk.II), and six smoke grenades in the crew compartment. The armament was used only for self-defense, as the vehicle was not designed to be used as an offensive weapon.

With love from Ukraine