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M4 HIGH SPEED TRACTOR

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  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Sunday, January 16, 2011 8:34 AM

Redleg is incorrect on two counts. The kit was never a Renwal kit that was passed to Revell. That's not even the original 1/40 scale Revell kit that came with the Long Tom in that box. The one in the box pictured above in his post is the Nitto kit in 1/35 scale. I am looking at mine right now. It was designed to be motorized with the logo NITTO imprinted in the batter compartment on the underside of the hull. The tracks are a black rubber continuous loop (rubber band). Besides, Renwal issued military kits in 1/32 scale and not 1/40 scale.

Steve Adams designed a line of military kits for Revell in 1/40 scale. When Revell decided not to produce any more military vehicle kits, Adams took the 5 molds he made and started his own company Adams Action Models (later Snap Adams). He took the High Speed Tractor, 155mm Long Tom, M20 Armored Car, Jeep & trailer and the GI battle figure set.

The actual Revell High Speed Tractor designed by Adams included stiff, silver vinyl tracks that had to be connected at the ends. Revell issued it alone and with the Long Tom. I have it in the "Life-Like" boxing.

I'm actually working on the original Revell M4 Sherman tank right now. I had an ancient kit that was missing some bits & pieces. I was lucky enough to see a bagged lot of spare parts for sale on eBay for $5. In the photo I could see the Sherman suspension pieces I was missing. It was quite the find for me.

In this shot, you can see the silver vinyl tracks. This is the boxing with the Long Tom.

This is the kit you want to find if you want the original Revell 1/40 scale Adams designed kit. I have one in this boxing:

Bottom line, I have both of the high speed tractor kits, the one Redleg says is the Renwal kit (but is Nitto), and the Revell/Adams kit in the Life-Like box. They are not the same kit and not the same scale.

  • Member since
    August 2008
Posted by tankerbuilder on Saturday, January 15, 2011 12:35 PM

Funny that!  I am in the process of converting one of LINDBERG,S old minesweepers into a N.U.M.A vessel. I even did R.O.V.s and a minisub. The ship even has AZIPODS and TRANSVERSE(docking thrusters)Propulsion at the bow.  Now where did I put that old COUSTEAU flying boat? oh well . catchya later   tankerbuilder

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Saturday, November 20, 2010 6:28 PM

Yep.....in 1/40 scale it was a Renwal kit on to Revell, Here is just the tractor in a Revell issue.

The M4 18 ton high speed tractor was also issued in 1/35 by Nitto, later Bluetank.
Also a resin version in 1/35 was done.
The Hobby Boss kit is much better than any of the above old versions as far as details and correctness!!
HTH
Rounds Complete!!

 

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: Denver, Colorado
Posted by waynec on Saturday, November 20, 2010 6:20 PM

i have one of the new ones and i was thinking of doing it as a NUMA tractor from the cussler dirk pitt novels. paint it either all turquoise or maybe white with a turquoise stripe ala the coast guard orange stripe. i'm getting away from tank stuff and more into amphibs, locomotives, rr guns, and bridge tanks; things that area bit unusual and eye catching by their size or their function.

Никто не Забыт    (No one is Forgotten)
Ничто не Забыто  (Nothing is Forgotten)

 

  • Member since
    August 2008
M4 HIGH SPEED TRACTOR
Posted by tankerbuilder on Saturday, November 20, 2010 5:29 PM

I have a question. I know some armor modeler can answer it ,I bet. The M4 high speed tractor that was done by JOHN PLZAK for the review in the APRIL 2008 F.S.M. is the cause for the question. YES,I re-read many of my F.S.M.s and my SCALE AUTO mags too. I seem to remember way back when I was a whole lot younger that REVELL had this little jewel with their "LONG TOM " cannon. Am I right?? The reason I ask is this. I did for many years redefine the missions for my armor. For instance I took a PATTOM M48-A1 and converted it to operate in an airless enviroment , such as say the MOON. Yeah , I know , he,s nuts!.Is that so!. I happen to know of a few M4s that were used by N.O.A.A. and they performed their duties well. I wanted to make sure that this is the tractor I remember building. Oh , I know this one is by HOBBY BOSS. I just want to be sure before I take the two I have into the what if realm ,again. I have some ideas that would probably make armor modelers growl. I just like taking machines designed to take life or assist thereof and find more peaceable uses for them. No , I am not a bleeding heart anti-war nut. I just see other uses for these machines.thanks for your help     tankerbuilder

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