On March 22nd, 1983 the U. S. Army Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command awarded the AM General Division of LTV Aerospace and Defense (now AM General Corporation) a $1.2 billion contract to produce 55,000 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV, pronounced Humvee), to be delivered in 15 different configurations over a five year period. The contract included an option to increase the number of vehicles purchased by 100 percent during each of the five option years. The Army eventually ordered an additional 15,000 option vehicles raising the totals to 70,000 vehicles and $1.6 billion. It was the largest multi-year contract for tactical wheeled vehicles ever awarded by the U.S. Army.

Known officially as the M998 Series and nicknamed the HUMMER, this technologically advanced 1 1/4-ton, 4x4, multipurpose vehicle answered the armed forces' need for superior mobility in a tactical field environment. It was versatile, mobile, and fast, and replaced an assortment of vehicles, including: some M151s (1/4-ton utility vehicles (the old "jeep"), all M274s (1/4-ton Mules), all M561s (1-1/2-ton Gama Goats), and some M880s (1 1/4-ton pick-up trucks).

The M1025, M1025A1, M1026 and M1026A1 HMMWVs are Armament Carrier configurations of the HMMWV family. The vehicles are equipped with basic armor and the weapon mount, located on the roof of the vehicle, is adaptable to mount either the M60, 7.62mm machine gun; M2 .50 caliber machine gun; or the MK 19 Grenade Launcher. The weapons platform can be traversed 360 degrees. The vehicles can climb 60% slopes and traverse a side slope of up to 40% fully loaded. The vehicles can ford hard bottom water crossing up to 30 inches without a deep water fording kit and up to 60 inches with the kit. The M1026/M1026A1 are equipped with the self-recovery winch which can also be used to recover like systems. The M1025A1 and M1026A1 models have the latest modifications applied to the vehicles.

This particular 1:72 scale vehicle was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, 82nd Engineer Brigade then deployed to Germany in 2003. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 2-1/2-inches
Width: 1-1/4-inches

Release Date: July 2006

Historical Account: "The Big Red One" - On the morning of February 24th, 1991, under Major General Thomas G. Rhame, "The Big Red One" spearheaded the armored attack into Iraq, leading the way for the VII corps. The Division smashed into the Iraqi 26th Infantry Division in breaking through the enemy lines, taking over 2,500 prisoners. The British 1st Armored Division was allowed to advance and pass through after elements secured a beachhead. This kept up the momentum of the coalition forces attack. The division the turned east to continue it's drive into enemy territory.

Continuing it's attack, the Division collided with the Tawakalna Division Republican Guard and the 37th Brigade of the 12th Iraqi's Tank Division. On the night of February 26th, 1991, the Division battled with enemy forces, destroying both exposing units. Enemy loses included more than 40 tanks and 40 infantry fighting vehicles. The Divisions exploited its success and continued its pursuit of the demoralized Iraqi forces.

Following the Battle of Norfolk, the Division raced ahead to cut off the Iraqi lines of retreat from Kuwait City. Division elements destroyed scores of enemy vehicles and took thousands of prisoners as they advanced. By 8:00 p.m., February 27th, the 1-4 Cavalry Squadron had seized the main highway leading north out of Kuwait, barring the Iraqi's escape. By the next morning, the rest of the division had taken up positions along the highway, fully securing it.

At 8:00 a.m., February 28th, 1991, the war was over when a cease-fire was called. The Big Red One had fought through 260 kilometers of enemy-held territory in 100 hours, destroying 550 enemy tanks, 480 armored personnel carriers and taking 11,400 prisoners. A total of 18 of the Divisions soldiers were killed in the war. The Division earned three campaign streamers for it's colors: Defense of Saudi Arabia, Liberation of Kuwait and Cease Fire.