Hobby Master Archive

The U.S. military had requested a light close-support vehicle so a standard M5 with the turret removed was tested. A new open-top turret was installed, the Driver and Co- driver were moved forward to accommodate a larger turret and with limited space in the vehicle the chassis was modified to tow an armored ammunition trailer. The M8 was the first American fully tracked Self Propelled Howitzer with 1,778 vehicles being produced between September 1942 and January 1944. The M8 was gradually replaced by the M4 Sherman with 105mm Howitzers.

“Edith” was an M8 that belonged to the First Regiment of Moroccan Spahis. Spahis is a derivative of an Ottoman (sipahi) and Middle Persian (Spah) word meaning “army”, or “horsemen”. Eventually the unit became the reconnaissance regiment for the French 2nd Armored Division. “Edith” had a very tragic ending on September 11, 1944 near the town of Andelot-Blancheville when it was struck by a Panzerfaust grenade that punched a hole in the left side of the hull. “Edith” can be seen in Andelot-Blancheville as a monument to the brave men that fought and died there.

Specifications for the M8 Howitzer Motor Carriage Manufacturer - General Motors, Cadillac Motor Car Division Length of Production - September 1942 - January 1944 Number produced - 1,778 Crew - 4 x Commander, Gunner, Driver, Co-driver Performance Powerplant - 2 x Cadillac 5,670 cc V-8 gasoline engines each producing 110 bhp@4,000 rpm Maximum Speed Cross Country - 24 mph On Road - 36 mph Distance Without Refueling - 100 miles Weight - 36,000 lbs Suspension - Vertical Volute Dimensions Length - 14 ft 2.75 ins Width - 7 ft 4.25 ins Height - 7 ft 6.5 ins

Armament Main Gun - 1 x 75 mm M2 Howitzer with 46 rounds on board and 93 in towed armored ammunition trailer Secondary - 1 x Browning M2HB .50 caliber MG with 400 rounds Armor Thickness Maximum - 67 mm Minimum - 12 mm Authentic Detailing Pre-Painted by professionals Accurate paint colors Markings Tampo (pad) applied Fully Assembled Die-Cast Model True to Scale (1:72) Metal turret and main gun Realistic tracks Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG4911 US M8 HMC “Edith” Free French Army, WWII