IDF M3 Mortar Carrier

¹⁄35

Wednesday, April 19, 2017 - 01:30 PM UTC

The latest announcement from Dragon is a model of a WWII American M3 halftrack, but with all the suitable modifications needed to represent an Israeli M3 in the Six-Day War period.

The decisive Six-Day War fought between Israel and its neighbors marks its 50th anniversary this year.

Dragon has been commemorating the 1967 conflict with a series of 1/35 scale kits of M3 halftrack variants used by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) at that time.

The M3 in IDF service was an important vehicle for mechanized infantry, and some were equipped with either an 81mm or 120mm mortar to give units mobile fire support. Dragon’s newest kit depicts such an M3 with a Soltam M-65 120mm mortar installed in the rear.

Of course, the correct 120mm mortar is featured in precise detail, as well as a brand new floor plate for the fighting compartment.
Also new are stowage bins inside the rear of the vehicle.

To help create a realistic-looking halftrack, Dragon provides a collection of DS backpacks and kit to hang off the sides of the vehicle.

Because such halftracks were used long before and after the 1967 conflict, this new kit offers enormous modeling versatility for fans of Israeli armor.

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Comments

RobinNilsson

The image above would indicate: No but I'm definitely no expert on IDF halftracks ... Image found here: LINK / Robin

APR 20, 2017 - 03:20 AM

Zvierboi

Here's an idea...how's about an SU-57.

APR 20, 2017 - 04:15 AM

hazzardm

ENORMOUS issues with this kit if it turns out like the CAD. As far as I can determine ALL 120mm mortar carriers were built on IHC half tracks, ie NOT bolted hulls like the M3 which were used to mount the 81mm mortar. The internal stowage is partly correct for one of the variants of 120mm carrier, however that one didn't have the co ax gun mount. Additionally the 'modelled' version doesn't have 2 rear stowage racks, only one on the LHS , the mortar baseplate is carried on the right. I certainly won't be buying this one, but has given me impetus to start my model which will based on a DML kit converted to a M9 first. looks like a Black Label design team jib!!!!.

APR 20, 2017 - 11:38 AM

somtec

Hi Mark Have you seen a pre diesel upgrade ht with those ammo sheet metal bins, cant remember seeing a photo of one, just the round tube version. Iam getting tired of slagging off dragons idf halftracks

APR 20, 2017 - 03:07 PM

hazzardm

I think so, isn't the one in the post above by Robin one?, it certainly isn't re-engined and I can't see the tubes. From memory there are two 120 mm versions, 1 'heavy' and 1 'light', obvious differences are the 'heavy' doesn't have the MG mount and uses the box stowage (the one that I used to appear with at Beltring was one of those), the 'light' one uses the tube stowage and has the MG mount. I cant recall if the light has the rear mounted baseplate stowage, the heavy certainly does. It's all moot as the vehicle should be a M9 anyway

APR 20, 2017 - 06:00 PM

hazzardm

correction to above, it appears that both stowage configurations are used on the heavy vehicle and that most of the 120mm carriers don't have the MG mount, however there is a pic in Tom G's 1/2 track book of a very early 120mm with the MG mount. I guess as with most IDF stuff it's hard to generalise. But my point still stands, above the base vehicle is incorrect!

APR 20, 2017 - 09:39 PM

Bravo1102

What a missed opportunity. But I can imagine the discussion in the executive offices. "They were only on M9 halftracks. We could retool and do a new series..." "Not in the budget. Wouldn't make a profit! Let me see the new bobble head figure..."

APR 20, 2017 - 11:40 PM

somtec

[quote]correction to above, it appears that both stowage configurations are used on the heavy vehicle and that most of the 120mm carriers don't have the MG mount, however there is a pic in Tom G's 1/2 track book of a very early 120mm with the MG mount. May be the same pic but think ive only ever seen one pic with the 30 cal visor, have seen a few with a rectangular base plate on the side and 2 stowage racks but in general only the one plus round base plate on back.

APR 21, 2017 - 12:12 AM

ReluctantRenegade

Apparently some of the 81 mm carriers did...

APR 21, 2017 - 09:15 PM

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