Ok guy's I could really use some help here. I've searched everywhere
for a PE wheel set for this U.S. halftrack, and come up empty handed.
The Tamiya traction & return rollers are made WRONG.
To make the correct replicas they have to be rebuilt.
Tamiya has made the backside & outer surface circumference of the
rear rollers solid, when in fact they are suppose to be opened spaced.
The forward traction rollers also need to be opened spaced on the surface too,
though the backside is soild as should be.
If I recall correctly, when I was looking through the kits sprue parts, the 2
sprocket gears that are sandwiched between the forward traction rollers
are not even included with the kit.
So the PE set is a must and also I will need to get some plastic card.
I know this will be tedious & time consuming work, but I think well worth the time.
So if anyone knows where I can find this PE set, can you please let me know
who carries it in stock. - Any PE set for a Tamiya M3 or M5 U.S. halftrack will be
sufficient

THANKS
- ralph

Ralph, I just ordered a set from Great Models on May 11th. It is item #ed35033 M3 Halftrack U/C and ran me $13.90. I got it a couple of weeks ago. I also got the M3A2 detail set #35034 for $14.99.

Ralph,
Here's the answer to the M3 suspension issue -

http://www.rjproducts.com/Catalogs/K59_Production/pic/K59_Production_K59002.jpg

This set should be available from R&J Enterprises
Have fun.
Tim

Ahhhhhhhhh - Rob, you are a God-send !
And boy are you quick ! ( LOL )
I'm logging on there right now & placing an order.
I better get 3 or 4 seeing I know I will be buying more halftracks in
the future.
THANK YOU ROB ! I appreciate your help
- ralph

Boy Tim, where were you a few weeks ago? That looks like a much easier solution than the Eduard PE set.

Wow - Thank you also Tank !
I went from a two day empty handed search, to getting
2 answers within 5 minutes of my post for help.
Great forum, great modelers what more can a modeler ask for !
Appreciate the link.
THANKS AGAIN TANK !
- ralph

You said it Rob, this cuts the work and time in half - Actually even more !
There's just a couple of minor adjustments I have to make with
some sheet styrene to the kit itself.
Heads up product Tank !
I'm still going to grab a couple of the Eduard sets too !
Heck - I got the extra $$ this month
- ralph

I've got the Hunnicutt book as well as the Squadron In Action book, let me know if you need any detail shots. I also recommend Motorbooks International's American Tanks of World War II by Thomas Berndt (ISBN 0-87938-930-3). It has very nice shots of restored M2, M3, M4, M5, M9 and M21 halftracks as well as some shots of the M3, M15 and M16 Gun Motor Carriages. The book ran me $13 and can be found at any Walden Books or Barnes & Noble.

Thanks for the offer Rob, but I have Chamberlains - "British & American
Tanks of W.W.II " and I ordered Concord Publ - "U.S. Halftracks ".
It was because of Chamberlains book that I noticed the
Tamiya kit error on the rollers.
I guess you know how handy some of these books really are.
Heck, with your military career you probably know this stuff by heart.
I'll probably end up getting the Squadron book too.
THANKS AGAIN.
- ralph

Ralph--let us know what you think of the PE material and how the M-21 comes out. I have another one on the shelf and would like to update it.
thanks
DJ

Alright DJ I will. It will be a while because i have to finish my M18, but the M21
is going into the same dio.
I just got Ospreys Intermediate Armor modeling ( i think that's the title ) but anyways
it has the step by step intructions with photo's of how to go abourt the M21 roller's rebuild,
it's actually for the M3 Infantry APC, but the roller's are identical.
It really helps out alot. And the book also has some other great PE/resin construction &
conversion articles on other U.S. ( M24 Chaffee ) & German armor ( Sd Kfz 7/1 & 7/2 FlaK halftracks ). GOOD BOOK !
- ralph

Ralph--look forward to seeing it.
thanks
DJ