Heya, Folks,

Just picked up the AFV Club M5A1and I want to build it as USMC.

So far, I haven't seen any war time photos showing off the road wheels... I'd like to use the later stamped/pressed supplied --- anyone out there know if these would be accurate for USMC use mid war?

Thanks.

Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

Gday Johnny
Firstly, this is all speculation on my part. There are arguments both ways.
1/ Stamped wheels were in use in NWE, so timewise they would have been sent to the PTO as their 37mm armament was sufficient against Japanese armour during the latter stages of 'island-hopping', but may not have been used earlier than 1944?
2/ There would have been more call for their use to prevent enemy infantry from jamming items in the spokes during close-quarters fighting in the jungles etc.
Not sure of the idler though, but I suspect stamped also a for the same reason as above.
Hope you get a more substantial answer!
Cheers
Brad

Hiya, Brad,

Sounds logical to me! Thanks for the feedback, amigo.

Much Appreciated --- have a good one!

Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

Most photos I've seen show stamped wheels on the M5A1, and usually the solid idlers. The spoked wheels were more common on the M5.

Thanks, Gerald! Did a little more research and indeed the stamped road wheels seem to be the way to go. Found a pic in one of Eric Hammel's books ("Pacific Warriors") where the M5A1 has stamped road wheels and a spoked idler, but I am going to go with the idler which looks like the spokes have been filled in (not quite sure if it is stamped).

On to the next question: does anyone make deep wading gear for the M5A1...?

As always, many thanks!

Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.