Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG3805 M20 Reconnaissance Squadron Colonial Tank-Destroyer Regiment (RCCC) Regiment Colonial de Chasseurs de Chars attached to 9th Colonial Infantry Division (9 DIC)

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.

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 9th Infantry Division (DIC) was established in French West Africa on July 16, 1943. They were involved in the assault on Southern France in August of 1944. As they pushed inland the recon squadrons of Regiment Colonial de Chasseurs de Chars were able to gather information and support from partisan groups of the F.F.I. (Forces Françaises de l’Interieur). This information assisted the 9th during the Battle of Provence, in Alsace at the Colmar Pocket and on the way to cross the Rhine and capture the southwest portion of Germany.

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