Subject:  
M16
Multiple Gun Halftrack
Kit Used: Tamiya 1/35

Review & model by:
Paul Romans
Pictures: R. Forys

July 2004
Model of the Month






[One source indicated 2877 of these M16 versions were manufactured.]



History:  The M3 Personnel Carrier was produced from 1941 on, and over 53,000 of all examples were built.  An air defense version, mounting 4 .50-cal. machine guns in a powered turret was built on the basic halftrack chassis.   One source indicated 2877 of these M16 versions were manufactured.



[The German halftracks might of had better armor, but the US haftracks had more horsepower.]


Compared to the German SdKfz. 251 halftrack, it was similar in size, speed and weight.   The German design had thicker, angled armor, giving better protection, but the M-16 had more horsepower and powered front wheels, and this gave it much better cross-country ability.



[a Verlinden engine compartment was used.] [The resin engine compartment didn't fit all that well.]



The Kit:  This is a typical older Tamiya release, good fit, pretty accurate, and easy enough to assemble.   I picked up a Verlinden engine compartment for this kit, and started construction.   The engine covers were cut open with a razor saw, and the hinges, latches and hooks were scratch built.   The resin engine compartment didn't fit all that well and some time was needed to get everything to line up.   The engine itself was detailed with tape-strip fan belts, sections of solder for radiator hoses, and wires made from stretched vinyl sprue that was leftover from the flexible tracks.



[The gun turret is rather flimsy.] [The M16 was an air defense version, mounting 4 .50-cal. machine guns in a powered turret.]



The cab was assembled and installed on the chassis.   The interior is pretty spartan, but I just painted everything and moved on.   The rear compartment and turret were built next.   Be careful here, the turret is rather flimsy.   Once the main assemblies were complete, everything was painted with Testors olive drab enamel, and the kit decals were applied.



[The tracks would not lay flat, so they were tied down with short pieces of thread.]


The tracks would not lay flat across the top wheels, so they were tied down with short pieces of thread, which was tucked out of the way and luckily can't be seen.



[Weathering was done mostly with Poly-Scale acrylics.]


Weathering was done mostly with Poly-Scale acrylics, using both washes and dry-brushing to simulate mud, dirt, and grime.   Some pastels were also used for fading the upper surfaces.



[The headlights were drilled out and lenses were made from clear sprue.]


The chain is from Model Shipways and the headlights were drilled out and lenses were made from clear sprue.   The procedure is not difficult.   One end of the sprue is cleaned up, and then heated with a candle just enough to make the end mushroom over.   The heat gives a nice smooth rounded surface, and even makes all of the scratches disappear.   The lens then just needs to be filed down to the size of the headlight opening.   Don't forget to paint the headlight socket silver for the reflective backing.   It's also a good idea to make more pieces than you need, because you will invariably end up launching a piece or so into hyperspace when you cut the "lens" off the tip of the sprue, but don't worry, its cheap and easy to do.   To get real fancy, scribe some fluting into the lens with an Xacto blade before you cut it off.



[Tarps were made from coffee filter paper dipped in a mixture of water and white craft glue.]


Extra bits and pieces of equipment were taken from my spares box and thrown in everywhere.   I made tarps from coffee filter paper, which simulates the texture of canvas in this scale.   Cut them to size, dip them in a mixture of water and a little white craft glue, and roll them up, or drape them wherever you desire.   When dry, they will retail most of the shape you wanted.   Carefully pull them off, paint and weather as you please, and re-apply with a little more white glue.   You can even shred the edges if you like, as the paper fibers look like loose threads and rips.



[The cab interior is pretty spartan, but looks OK.]


As a last touch, some stretched sprue was painted with brass paint, and cut to look like .50 cal. shell casings.   While the paint was still wet, these were dribbled all around the gun compartment and the sticky paint helped hold them in place.   (I hope.)



[The chain is from Model Shipways.]


It was enjoyable to clutter and dirty up this kit, but I think that's the idea behind armor models anyway, isn't it?



[Extra pieces of equipment were taken from my spares box and thrown in everywhere.]