Adie Roberts checks out Bronco models new WWII US army 37mm anti-tank gun a gun that only lasted in service till 1943 in the European and Mediterranean theatres of war.

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Thanks!

this piece of artillery is goood.

I've been waiting for a quality modern injection model of the ol' 37mm. I gotta get a few.

Me want.

Always liked this little weapon, glad to see a quality injection kit available for it. I'll be grabbing a couple of these as well.

Jim
LSA

This kit's been around since 2013 and it's just being noticed? It was included with one of Bronco's first Jeep releases - both excellent kits, but maybe a little over-engineered in the case of the Jeep.

I always thought that Italeri would offer there one from the PT 109 kit with a crew. Pity Bronco do not offer a crew with it.
Al

So, is this kit correct to represent a USMC 37mm from Iwo Jima? I have a nagging suspicion that the gun shield was different? I'm a bit out of my league here and would be interested in hearing from those who know more than I.


Dave

But Biggles!!! Don't you know that releases and reviews of obscure, single-vehicle Tiger I-types and "Paper Panzers" are MUCH MORE IMPORTANT than a lowly-but-well-executed US M3 Anti-tank gun, of which tens-of-thousands were produced?

Dave- You'd be perfectly safe in using this kit in a WWII US Marine scenario. M3 Anti-tank Guns were identical as they left the factories producing them. What happened with them once they reached combat units as far as any "field-modifications" are concerned, is better left to actual photographic evidence.

Al- The "PT-109" 37mm was scrounged up to be mounted on the fore-deck of said PT Boat, just to beef up the compliment of armament aboard this particular vessel. This was strictly a "non-standard" measure. Agree that BRONCO could have included US Army, or US Marine Gun Crews, or at least offered separate kits of these...

Ahh, but in the Pacific Theatre, the US 37mm Anti-tank Gun was VERY successful against the paper-thin armor of Japanese Tanks, and when firing Cannister (Anti-Personnel) rounds, especially during "Banzai-attacks", they decimated the Japanese Infantry. These little Anti-tank Guns were very popular with US Army and US Marine personnel, right up until VJ Day...

Well . . .

It's not an M3A1, it's an M3 (no threads on muzzle).

The decals have a couple of problems:

1 - The T32 gun used a different cartridge than the M3/M5/M6, so the ammunition boxes wouldn't be marked that way. R1HAA is the correct AIC for those rounds, however.

2 - Painted and stained ammunition boxes used yellow lettering. Black lettering was only used on unfinished boxes.

KL

YEEEE HAAAWWWW

Whaddaya bet that the Crew in this photo are "South'n Boys"..?

Photo is from MCAS New River in Jacksonville NC.

Now that's Airborne!

Just a bit of trivia- That's an original Bantam 1/4-ton 4x4 Truck, by the way.

I'm sure the GIs had their Chin Straps on their WWI-style "Kelly" Helmets firmly in place, otherwise there would have been a few "Flying Saucers" making their appearance during this test...

I agree with you Biggles, Bronco kits are over - engineered. Some are for advanced builders only.

Good review of an iconic gun. I agree with Dennis about these in the Pacific with the Marines especially.