RalphSarc Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 Tamiya 1/35 US Multiple Gun Motor Carriage M16 Halftrack Quad, (“Meat Chopper”) Build Thread. The M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage, also known as the M16 half-track, was an American self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon built during World War II. It was equipped with four .50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns in an M45 Quadmount. 2700 were produced by White Motor Company from May 1943 to March 1944, with 568 M13 MGMCs and 109 T10 half-tracks being converted into M16s as well. The chassis was derived from the T1E2 chassis, an earlier version of the M13. Based on an M3 half-track chassis, it replaced the M13 MGMC half-track after early 1944. As aircraft became more advanced, the usefulness of the M16 was reduced. In the Korean War, it was relegated primarily to the ground-support role, being put out of service in the U.S. Army in 1954. Nicknamed the "Meat Chopper", the M16 was famous for its effectiveness against low-flying aircraft and infantry, making it extremely popular with soldiers. It was used by the United States Army, the British Commonwealth, and South Korea. A similar version of the M16, the M17, was based on the M5 half-track and exported via Lend-Lease to the Soviet Union. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted February 1 Author Share Posted February 1 While rummaging in my stash the other day I was surprised to find that I already owned a Tamiya 1/35 US Halftrack. Of course this was after I had excitingly order two more vis eBay!! Now I have three, lol!! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FullArmor Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 Nice trio. I have M21 also👍 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PanzerWomble Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 I don't think time's been too kind to this moulding, (1975 ish ?) although it was pretty much the only game in town for a long time and I know it's been re released again . My recollection of the Tamiya M3 is the terrible tracks that struggled to sit nice , no engine, and the "80mm" tub armour , the walls and doors are sooooo thick . I know AFV Club launched some last year which got good reviews . 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlrwestSiR Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 Oh nice. I never built the Tamiya one. I'll be following along. I have the Dragon one in the stash with a Griffon update set for it. You basically throw away 1/2 the kit it seems. 1 hour ago, PanzerWomble said: My recollection of the Tamiya M3 is the terrible tracks that struggled to sit nice Dragon take an interesting approach to the tracks. They're moulded plastic and are split lengthwise. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted February 1 Author Share Posted February 1 6 hours ago, PanzerWomble said: I don't think time's been too kind to this moulding, (1975 ish ?) although it was pretty much the only game in town for a long time and I know it's been re released again . My recollection of the Tamiya M3 is the terrible tracks that struggled to sit nice , no engine, and the "80mm" tub armour , the walls and doors are sooooo thick . I know AFV Club launched some last year which got good reviews . Thanks Panzer. I’ve watched several YouTube builds, one straight out of the box, and your right it’s a very old kit but I thought all three would be fun to build especially eliminating all the numerous seams lines etc. I be thought I’d throw some stowage and tarps at it too. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted February 1 Author Share Posted February 1 8 hours ago, FullArmor said: Nice trio. I have M21 also👍 Should be fun builds! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted February 6 Author Share Posted February 6 Began the fiddly work of assembling the gun mount in step 2. I’m trying to address any seam lines as did the builder in the YouTube videos I posted. I was going to drill out the 50cal barrels but sadly I don’t hand a pin drill bit that small. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted April 1 Author Share Posted April 1 One 50cal mount finished. I think I was able to sand all the seam lines? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted April 1 Author Share Posted April 1 Completed step 2 and assembly of left and right 50cal mounts. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted April 1 Author Share Posted April 1 For some reason I could sleep so decided on some early Easter morning plastic therapy and completed very fiddly steps 3 and 4 assembling the quad mount turret. In typical Tamiya fashion all the parts fit perfectly considering the age of this kit. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted April 1 Author Share Posted April 1 Early morning coffee and painting……perfect!! Gave the quad turret assembly a coat of Tamiya X-51 Khaki Drab. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlrwestSiR Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 The turret is looking good there Ralph. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterpools Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 Ralph, right with Carl. Some mighty nice progress. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted April 6 Author Share Posted April 6 13 hours ago, Peterpools said: Ralph, right with Carl. Some mighty nice progress. Thanks guys I appreciate it! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted April 6 Author Share Posted April 6 A bit of weather on the quad mount using Uschi Metalic Polishes and dry brushing Tamiya XF-16 Flat Aluminum. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted April 6 Author Share Posted April 6 Quad mount is assembled. Lots of fiddly parts but looks the part!! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted April 6 Author Share Posted April 6 On the step 5 assembling the chassis frame. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belugawhaleman Posted April 6 Share Posted April 6 I built this kit years ago..... about 1980 or so. I remember it was long before I had an airbrush even! Cool, a bit of nostalgia for me to view your progress. Looking good so far! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted April 6 Author Share Posted April 6 5 hours ago, belugawhaleman said: I built this kit years ago..... about 1980 or so. I remember it was long before I had an airbrush even! Cool, a bit of nostalgia for me to view your progress. Looking good so far! Yeah this kit is an oldie but a goodie, lol!!! Lots of seam lines and ejection marks however cleans up pretty easily. The fit is pretty perfect even after the years. I actually have all three variants. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted April 6 Author Share Posted April 6 Completed step 6 assembling part of the front and rear suspension to the chassis. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted April 6 Author Share Posted April 6 On to step 7 assembling the axles, front wheels and rear track suspension and road wheels. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted April 6 Author Share Posted April 6 The front axle assembly is steerable and actually works!!! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted April 6 Author Share Posted April 6 Skipped forward to step 10 and mounted the front axle and steering mechanism to the chassis. Even with the kits age all the parts fit perfectly. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted April 6 Author Share Posted April 6 Continuing the chassis build up and of course a few roadwheels. Really amazed at the flt of all the parts. I’ve encountered absolutely no issues so far. Like a said early some parts and a few seams required a bit of cleanup but certainly nothing major. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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