Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series
HG3803
US M20 Armored Utility Car
Free French Army, 5th Armored Division, 2nd Dragoons Regiment,
Command vehicle, France, August 1944
True 1/72 scale.

Professionally painted.

Great attention to detail.

All markings are Tampoed (pad applied).

Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic.

Highly collectable.
THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES
NOT THE FINISHED MODEL
The M20 was an Armored Utility Car that was also known as an M20 Scout Car. It was a
converted M8 without the revolving turret so there would be room for passenger seats,
radio equipment, a Commanders table and the ring mounting for a .50 caliber heavy
machine gun. The crew was also provided a bazooka for defense to help compensate for
the lack of heavy armor. This configuration meant there was an open top but it did
provide a certain amount of protection for the crew from small arms fire or shrapnel. The
M20 had a top speed of 90km/h and was quite agile which made it well suited for forward
reconnaissance work. The vehicle was also used as an APC and cargo carrier.
The M20 started life in 1943 as the M10 Armored Utility Car but was changed to M20 so it
wouldn't be confused with the M10 TD. The M20 had a rather short production life from
1943 to 1944 but during this brief period Ford produced 3,680 units.


The Free French 2nd Armored Division was renamed the 5th Armored Division on July 9
1943 under the command of General de Vernejoul. Upon the Divisions arrival in western
Europe after D-Day it was originally assigned to the 6th Army and assisted in Operation
Cobra, the Allied break-out from Normandy. Next the 5th Armored became involved in the
Ardennes-Alsace Campaign and battles at Belfort and the Colmar Pocket. The battle of
the Colmar Pocket officially ended on January 25 1945 but in reality it wasn’t until
February 9th when the last of the German 9th Army was eliminated and area once again
was occupied by the French. Hitler used his last reserves at Alsace where the battles
were won by bravery more than tactics and Generals. It became a killing field for the
Allies as well as German soldiers and equipment. Equipment that Germany desperately
needed if it was ever to regain its dominance on the battle field. Throughout this
campaign the French fought along with U.S. Forces and were joined by British forces late
in the campaign. In March the French forces were part of the Allied push into Germany to
end WWII in Europe.


Specifications Ford M20 6X6 Armored Utility Car

Country of origin – USA

Crew – 2 + 4 passengers

Performance
Engine - Hercules JXD 6 cyl, gasoline / 86 hp
Speed – 56 mph
Range – 250 miles
Fording depth – 2ft 8in

Weight – 12,250 lbs

Dimensions
Length – 16 ft, 5 in
Width – 8 ft, 4 in
Height – 7 ft 6 in

Armament
1 X 0.50 caliber M2 machine gun
1 X Bazooka
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