Takom M31 US Tank Recovery Vehicle - 1:35 Takom via Pocketbond

[Julien]

M31 US Tank Recovery Vehicle

1:35 Takom via Pocketbond by Bachmann

 

 

The Tank Recovery vehicle, or ARV has been around nearly as long as the Tank has. Ever since WWI when British Mark IV tanks were fitted with jibs to produce salvage tanks the ability to recover and move inoperable tanks has been needed. In WWII the Germans become very adept at ths. WWII was the beginning of the true ARV, these were most often converted tanks which were obsolete. Many would get cranes or jibs to enable lifting operations as well. In more modern times the ARV is a version of the countires Main Battle Tank in order that another vehicle is not used to simplify logistics and repair needs.

 

The M31 was based on the M3 Medium Tank. This was selected as it was still in production, but soon to replaced as the US Main tank by the M4 Sherman. The Tank Recovery Vehicle would be known as the T2. In order to save weight both the main 75mm gun, and the turret mounted 37mm gun were removed, however they were replaced by dummy units, and the front of the 75mm modified to provide a crew access door. The forward 30cal machine gun in the hull was retained, and the turret received a second 30cal on a British designed copula. A Garwood crane would be mounted in the gap left by the 37mm gun on the turret. This could carry 5 tons if countered by the weight of the vehicle alone, or 15 tons of the vehicle was stabilised. For whinching operations a 60,000lbs winch was installed in the crew compartment which could be used from the front or back of the vehicle. In addition it could go out through the turret to the crane.  The M31 would make its combat debut with the 1st Armoured Division in Tunisia in 1943. Just over 800 M31s were produced and they would service throughout WWII never managing to get replaced by the later M32 (Based on the M4 Sherman).  As well as the crane the M31 was distinguished by the numerous tool boxes on the exterior to carry all of the crews equipment, quite how successful re-tainment of the dummy guns were in obscuring the true identity of the vehicle were is open to question!

 

The Kit

There have been two kits released initially, one being the Lee, the other the British specification Grant.  Both kits share a core of common parts, which have come over into the M31. This boxing has all the additional parts for the crane and exterior boxes.  Inside the box are 11 sprues and two parts in grey styrene, a small clear sprue with headlights, a PE sheet, decal sheet and instruction booklet as mentioned above. 

 

 

Construction begins with the lower hull, which has a rear bulkhead and final drive housing attached at the front. Rollers are fitted into the floor which was where the winch cable comes out. Three stations on each side for the VVSS (vertical volute-sprung suspension) units are added, which each hold a pair of wheels.  The drive sprockets are fitted to the front, and idlers at the rear on a trailing arm that is where tension is adjusted on the rear thing.  A number of large bolt heads are added to the suspension units, which can be found on the sprue runners and are cut free with a sharp blade to be glued in the noted position on each arm.

 

 

 

The tracks are link and length, with a jig supplied for the top run, which has an upward curve at the front as it rides over the drive sprocket.  The highly curved areas have individual links supplied, with the diagonals under the drive and idler wheels fitted in short lengths.  The tracks fit under the sponson floors, with separate sides added, which have crew hatches cut into the sides for later fitting. 

 

 

 

The complex angles of the glacis plate and casemate of the dummy 75mm gun is formed over a number of steps, with the roof having a cut-out for the turret. The engine deck is fitted last, and has a choice of pioneer tools and towing cables, which require some holes to be drilled from the inside before fitting.  The exhausts and mudflaps are fitted to the rear bulkhead along with a number of panels and towing eyes to the rear, while the bolted glacis flanges are fitted to the front, with the driver's hatch and caged light cluster on the wings.

 

 

 

A number of large tool boxes are then constructed and added to the main hull. Rear mounted winch rollers are added along with the surrounds for the associated equipment.  Conctruction then moves onto the turret and attached crane. The dummy 37mm gun is attached to the rear of the turret and then the crane made up. As you may expect the crane comes with a fair number of parts all on a new sprue from the original release of the tank. Care is needed to get the myriad of parts in the correct place here.  Cable is provided for the crane. The modeller will need to decide if they want the crane in front of the vehicle, or behind as there are 2 different mounting options. 

 

 

 

Markings

There are five markings options spread over the inner cover pages of the instructions.  From the box you can build one of the following:

1. 1st Armoured Regiment Service Company, El Guettar, Tunisia, Aprli 1943.
2. 2nd Armoured Division, 2/66th Armour Regiment "Gerogia on my mind", SV38 Operation Huskey, July 1943.
3. Unknown Unit, Theater Issue Depot, Oran Algeria, May 1943.
4. 2nd Armoured Division, 2/66th Armour Regiment "Invader", SV38, France, July 1944.
5. 5th Army, 756th Tank Battalion, SV39, Mt Lungo, Italy, Jan 1944.

 

The decals are printed anonymously, and have generally good registration, sharpness and colour density, with a thin matt carrier film cut close to the printed areas.  

 

 

Conclusion

It is good to see this variant now being issued following the original release from Takom, and that these support vehicles are not being forgotten.

 

Highly recommended.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of

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