Tamiya 1/35 M26 Tank Recovery Vehicle 35244

The kit proposed by Tamiya company includes a plastic model kit of American transporter in 1:35 scale.

An extremely important element of military logistics is the recovery of damaged vehicles. It is much easier to tow and repair damaged or abandoned vehicle than transport it all the way from country to the front line, engaging industry and transportation into this. The role of emergency vehicles in the US Army during World War II were served by M26 tractors. Emerged under the influence of experience of the British, which in battles in Africa were forced to quickly rescue their armored equipment. The first one rolled off the production line in April 1943. The first time they were used during the battle was in Italy, and then in Normandy and Western Europe. The M26 tractor had a crew of seven, who traveled in the armored cab at front of the vehicle, protecting them from small arms fire and frags. Defense weapons were M2HB .50 HMG, mounted on a turntable, placed on the tractor roof. At the rear of the vehicle, there were cranes and winches, able to lift the weight of 27 tons. For this amount of weight, tow arm was mounted for transportation of damaged tanks and other vehicles. After the war, most of the M26 tractors remained in Europe, part of them were drafted into the French army, some went to civilian users or have been scrapped.

Tamiya kit allows assembly of the American M26 Armored Rescue Vehicle model, along with six crew members. Box includes a part of the hull, 12 sprues with model parts, sprue with reflectors, etched parts, string, rope, 4 metal elements of crane and decals.

Plastic parts should be cut out of frames, fit together and glued according to the assembly instruction. You should paint the whole model using modeling paints. It is important to remember that some plastic parts require painting before gluing. In the end, it is needed to apply decals according to markings or graphics in instruction.

Paints recommended by the manufacturer for best results:
Vehicle:

• Tamiya XF-62, XF-58 or spray TS-5 (hull, body)
• Tamiya XF-2 (markings)
• Tamiya XF-56 (ropes)
• Tamiya XF-1 (tires)
• Tamiya X-10 (mechanical lift)
• Tamiya XF-49 (upholstery of seats)

Crew:

• Tamiya XF-62 (helmet)
• Tamiya XF-60 (uniform jacket)
• Tamiya XF-52 (uniform trousers)
• Tamiya XF-10 (shoes)
• Tamiya XF-15 (skin)

Set contains:

• The assembly instruction.
• Frames with plastic parts.
• Decals.
• Photo etched parts.
• Rubber wheels.
• Metal elements.
• Transparent plastic elements.
• Soldiers / crew figures.
• String.

Kit does NOT contain paints and glue.
Here are the basic tools and materials you need:

• Pilers for cutting plastic parts.
• Modeling penknife.
• File or sandpaper.
• Cement for plastic models.
• Brush or airbrush.
• Modeling paints.