95th AFAB, 5th Armored Division, Normandy, 1944 Willys MB Jeep (1:72) with M3A1 Anti-Tank Gun by Hobby Master Diecast Military Armor
Item Number: HG4207
Wanting to replace their outdated light vehicles the U.S. Military received three tenders. Bantam Car Company was the initial winner but couldn't meet demand so the job went to Willys-Overland Motors. Willys was to take the best design features of the three submitted tenders and build a standardized vehicle. Eventually in order to meet an even greater demand the Ford Motors Company was asked to build a similar vehicle. During World War II there was a total of 647,870 Jeeps produced by the three companies; Willys-Overland produced 362,841 of them.
The first dedicated anti-tank gun used by the U.S. military was the 37mm M3 gun. The gun first appeared in 1940 and became the standard anti-tank gun for the U.S. infantry and because of its compact size made it possible for them to be towed by Jeeps. With the advent of larger and better armored German tanks the M3 gun was found to be ineffective for the ETO. Since the Japanese tanks were much smaller and lightly armored the gun was effectively used in the PTO until the end of WWII.
Specifications for the 37mm M3 anti-tank gun The M3A1 variant was produced in 1942 with a threaded barrel end to accept a muzzle brake that never was issued.
Manufacturers
Gun ' Watervliet Arsenal
Carriage ' Rock Island Arsenal
Duration of production ' 1940 ' 1943
Number produced ' 18,702
Weight ' 912 lb (413.68 kg)
Length (overall) ' 13 ft (3.92 m)
Barrel length ' 6.89 ft (2.1 m)
Width ' 5.28 ft (1.61 m)
Height ' 3.14 ft (0.96 m)
Crew ' 4 - 6