Hobby Master Archive

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