Subject:  
M8 Greyhound
Armored Car
Kit Used: Tamiya 1/48

Review & model by:
Bob Blevins
Pictures: R. Forys





The M8 Greyhound was used during WWII primarily as an escort and recon vehicle. The M8 Greyhound was used during WWII primarily as an escort and recon vehicle. The M8 Greyhound was used during WWII primarily as an escort and recon vehicle. The M8 Greyhound was used during WWII primarily as an escort and recon vehicle. The M8 Greyhound was used during WWII primarily as an escort and recon vehicle.
The M8 Greyhound was used during WWII primarily as an escort and recon vehicle. The M8 Greyhound was used during WWII primarily as an escort and recon vehicle. The M8 Greyhound was used during WWII primarily as an escort and recon vehicle. The M8 Greyhound was used during WWII primarily as an escort and recon vehicle. The M8 Greyhound was used during WWII primarily as an escort and recon vehicle.




The M8 Greyhound was used during WWII primarily as an escort and recon vehicle.   With its 6 wheels and light weight, it was a very maneuverable vehicle.   Design of the M8 began in 1941, and the Ford Motor Company developed a prototype in June of 1942.   While it was originally planned for the armor support role, its 37mm main gun was out dated by the time it reached the field, so its role was shifted to reconnaissance work.




[The six-wheel configuration made the Greyhound a stable vehicle with a maximum speed of 55 mph.]



The Greyhound had a Hercules JXD rear mounted, water-cooled engine, capable of generating 110hp at 3000 rpm, using a transmission with 4 forward, and 1 reverse gear.   The six-wheel configuration also made the Greyhound a stable vehicle with a maximum speed of 55 mph and range of 350 miles.   It steel plated armor on the body ranged from 19mm to 32mm thick, (roughly ¾ inch to one & ¼ inch), while the open topped turret had 19mm thick armor.




[The main armament was the M6 37mm cannon mounted in combination with a Browning M1919A4 .30 caliber machine gun.] [The tarps are resin items from Verlinden. ]



The main armament was the M6 37mm cannon mounted in combination with a Browning M1919A4 .30 caliber machine gun using an M70D gun sight/telescope.   Later, a .50 caliber M2 machine gun was added to the cupola.   The manually operated turret rotated a full 360 degrees, however there was no stabilization system for the main gun.   Storage was provided for up to 80 rounds for the M6, 400 rounds for the .50 cal, and as much as 1500 rounds for the .30 cal machine gun.




[The M8 was supplied to the Allies, and it was the British who nicknamed it the Greyhound.]



From March 1943 to April 1945, over 8523 M8s were produced.   They were mainly used in Europe, but also served in the Pacific.   The M8 was supplied to the Allies, including Britain and France, and it was the British who nicknamed the M8 "Greyhound".   Although under gunned, it proved to be very reliable, and many countries would continue to use the M8 well after World War II.




[This is Tamiya's 1/48 scale M8 kit.]



The Kit:  This is Tamiya's 1/48 scale M8 kit.   As with most Tamiya kits, this is a very simple build.   It would have been nice if they included a basic interior, but I'm sure there must be an aftermarket kit available somewhere.   Overall detail is good with separate side skirts that can be left off as they often did in the war.   Underbody detail is fine with separate springs and axles.   Hatches can be left open, but again there is no interior to show.   The 37mm main gun is a 9-piece assembly that is nicely detailed, and the turret is also finely detailed but no ammo storage is included for the interior.   The kit includes one Commander figure but no other accessories, and there are two marking options provided on the decal sheet.




[The antenna mounts were bent, and the antenna replaced with wire and tied down with thread.]



I used Tamiya spray can lacquer paints on both the interior and exterior, and Tamiya acrylics were used for detail painting.   The 50 cal. mg and the stowage are resin items from Verlinden.   I also opted to use dry transfers from Archer.   Finally, the antenna mounts were bent, and the antenna replaced with wire.   Thread was then used for the antenna tie-downs.




[I used Tamiya spray can lacquer paints on both the interior and exterior, and Tamiya acrylics were used for detail painting.]