what is the cylinder on the front of the m3a2 halftrack?

Cool, I always thought it was a counter weight due to the heavy tracks and storage stuff in the rear of the vehicle... Keep those front wheels on the ground!

i actually sont have the kit, i seen it on militaryhobbies.ca under the new products section. it cna be found here http://www.militaryhobbies.ca/product.cfm?ProductID=4961

I was looknig for the m3 scout car kit! What company makes yours? I love armored cars and scout cars slightly more I suppose then tanks... Not sure... I spent days looking for that kit!

wow, thanks

Yep, and in an even odder twist of fate, the US wasn't the only one to employ this type of device for ditch crossings. The French used it as well on some of their troop trucks for the same reasons. One of the lessons learned from WW I in regards to wheeled vehicles and the need to traverse ditches/trenches easily and keep advancing.

I learn something new everyday....
Ryan

It's a steel roller, the theory is that it'll allow the front end to roll up the far side of a ditch rather than sticking and causing the vehicle to be immobilized.