M8/M20 Greyhound Scout Car – Bolt Action WWII 28mm Vehicle
M8/M20 Greyhound Scout Car
Bolt Action WWII 28mm Vehicle – The Versatile Eyes of the Army
🔍 "Eyes Forward" – The Scouts Who Led the Way 🔍
The dusty roads of Sicily echoed with the distinctive growl of the Greyhound's twin rear axles as Captain James Thompson's reconnaissance platoon pushed ahead of the main American column. As the lead vehicle crested a hill, the commander spotted movement in a small village ahead—German troops preparing an ambush for the advancing Allied forces.
With quick hand signals, the Greyhound commander ordered his driver to reverse into cover. The radio operator in their M20 command vehicle, following closely behind, immediately relayed the vital intelligence to headquarters. Minutes later, the village was under fire from American artillery, the ambush neutralized before the main force arrived. Once again, the nimble Greyhounds had proven their worth, living up to their name by racing ahead to scout enemy positions, then swiftly reporting back with intelligence that saved countless American lives.
Become the Eyes of Your Army 🚙
Add the versatile and reliable M8/M20 Greyhound to your American or British forces with this detailed 1/56 scale model kit. This popular and successful 6x6 armored car served Allied armies throughout World War II, providing essential reconnaissance capabilities and battlefield intelligence.
This kit allows you to build either the M8 Greyhound armored car with its effective 37mm gun turret or the M20 scout car variant with its open fighting compartment designed for command and communication functions. In the Pacific Theater, the M8's 37mm gun proved particularly effective as a tank destroyer against lightly armored Japanese vehicles—the very role for which it was originally designed.
In games of Bolt Action, both variants are classified as armored cars with a Damage Value of 7+ and benefit from the Recce special rule, reflecting their speed and maneuverability. Whether gathering intelligence, securing flanks, or engaging targets of opportunity, the Greyhound provides a cost-effective and versatile addition to any Allied force.
✨ Key Features:
- Build Flexibility - Construct either an M8 Greyhound or M20 scout car variant
- Tactical Versatility - Perfect for reconnaissance, flank security, or engaging light targets
- Multi-Theater Use - Suitable for Italian, Northwest European, and Pacific campaigns
- Game Effectiveness - Benefits from the powerful Recce special rule
- Historical Accuracy - Authentic details for these widely-deployed Allied vehicles
- Multi-Game Use - Compatible with both Bolt Action and Achtung Panzer! games
📊 Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | M8 Light Armored Car / M20 Utility Car (Armored) |
| Crew | 4 (Driver, Co-driver, Commander, Gunner) |
| Weight | 8.5 tons (M8), 7.9 tons (M20) |
| Length | 16 ft 5 in (5.00 m) |
| Width | 8 ft 3 in (2.51 m) |
| Height | 7 ft 5 in (2.26 m) - M8, 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) - M20 |
| M8 Main Armament | 37 mm M6 gun (80 rounds) |
| Secondary Armament | M8: .30 cal M1919A4 coaxial MG, optional .50 cal M2HB M20: .50 cal M2HB machine gun |
| Engine | Hercules JXD 6-cylinder gasoline engine, 110 hp |
| Maximum Speed | 55 mph (89 km/h) on roads |
| Operational Range | 350 miles (560 km) |
| Armor | 0.12–0.98 in (3–25 mm) |
| Production | 8,523 M8s and 3,791 M20s produced between 1943 and 1945 |
M8 vs M20 - Choose Your Variant
M8 Greyhound Armored Car
- Armed Combat Role - Features a fully traversing turret with 37mm gun
- Anti-Armor Capability - Effective against light vehicles and tanks
- Secondary Armament - Coaxial .30 cal MMG and optional .50 cal HMG
- Full Crew Protection - Enclosed turret offers better protection for crew
- Bolt Action Stats - Light AT gun, MMG, option for HMG
- Pacific Advantage - Especially effective against Japanese light tanks
M20 Scout Car
- Command & Control Role - Designed for reconnaissance and communication
- Enhanced Radio Equipment - Sacrifices turret for additional comms gear
- Open Fighting Compartment - Better visibility for observation duties
- Defensive Armament - Armed with a .50 cal HMG for self-defense
- Bolt Action Stats - HMG in an open-topped compartment
- Command Vehicle - Ideal for platoon or company commanders
📦 Box Contents
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Kit | 1/56th scale hard plastic US M8/M20 armored car with options to build either variant |
| Documentation | Detailed instruction leaflet for assembly |
| Markings | Waterslide decal sheet for authentic unit markings |
⏳ Greyhound Combat Timeline
Development begins on the T22 light armored car, initially conceived as a tank destroyer. The 6x6 configuration is chosen to provide excellent off-road mobility while maintaining highway speed.
After testing, the T22 is standardized as the M8 Light Armored Car. Production begins with the first units rolling off assembly lines. The vehicle quickly earns the nickname "Greyhound" due to its speed and sleek appearance.
The M8 Greyhound sees its first combat action in Sicily during Operation Husky, providing reconnaissance for advancing American forces. The M20 utility car variant enters production, designed specifically for command and reconnaissance duties without the turret.
Greyhounds serve extensively throughout the Italian and Northwest European campaigns, providing vital reconnaissance functions for Allied armies. In the Pacific, they prove surprisingly effective against Japanese tanks, whose thin armor can be penetrated by the 37mm gun.
During the Battle of the Bulge, Greyhounds play a crucial role in monitoring German movements and providing early warning of attacks. Their speed allows them to quickly relocate when threatened by heavier German forces.
The Greyhound's reliability and effectiveness lead to a long service life. Many M8s and M20s are provided to Allied nations after the war, serving with various armies into the 1970s. Some modified versions remain in service with developing nations well into the 1990s.
Bolt Action Game Statistics
Damage Value (Armored Car)
Light AT Gun + MMG (option for HMG)
HMG in Open-Topped Compartment
Recce Special Rule
🎮 Gaming Possibilities
The M8/M20 Greyhound offers multiple tactical options for your Bolt Action battles:
🔍 Forward Reconnaissance
Use the Greyhound's speed and Recce rule to scout ahead of your main force, gathering intelligence on enemy positions and strength while remaining elusive thanks to the ability to evade.
🛡️ Flank Security
Deploy your Greyhound to guard the flanks of your advancing force, using its mobility to quickly respond to enemy attempts to outflank your main units or ambush your supply lines.
🎯 Light Vehicle Hunter
The M8's 37mm gun makes it effective against other light vehicles and armored cars. In the Pacific Theater, it can even take on
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