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 multiyear 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 M1036 and M1036A1 HMMWVs were TOW Missile Carrier configurations of the HMMWV family. The vehicles were equipped with basic armor and a TOW launcher mounted on the roof of the vehicle. The vehicles were used to transport and launch TOW missiles to defeat armored vehicles. The weapons platform could be traversed 360 degrees. Weapon station azimuth was limited to 300 degrees left and right of vehicle centerline when Vehicle Power Conditioner (VPC) cables were connected. With the launcher installed, elevation was limited to 20 degrees and depression was limited to 10 degrees.

The vehicles could climb 60 percent slopes and traverse a side slope of up to 40 percent fully loaded. The vehicles could ford hard bottom water crossing up to 30 inches without a deep water fording kit and up to 60 inches with the kit.

An improved variant with the A1 series modifications was also produced. The only difference between the M966 and M966A1 TOW carriers and the M1036 and M1036A1 TOW carriers was that the M966 types did not have self-recovery winches and the M1036 did. The M1036's self-recovery winch could also be used to recover like systems.

This particular 1:32 scale replica of a US Humvee comes with a detachable roof-mounted TOW missile launcher and is painted in a desert sand color scheme, which was employed by US forces during Operation: Desert Storm. Features opening hood, trunk, and doors, detailed crew compartment, and two figures. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 5-3/4-inches
Width: 3-1/2-inches
Height: 3-1/4-inches

Release Date: June 2003

Historical Account: "Rendezvous with Destiny" - On January 17th, 1991, the 101st Aviation Regiment fired the first shots of the war when eight AH-64 helicopters successfully destroyed two Iraqi early warning radar sites. In February 1991, the 101st once again had its "Rendezvous with Destiny" in Iraq during the combat air assault into enemy territory. The 101st Airborne Division struck 155 miles (249 km) behind enemy lines. It was the deepest air assault operation in history.

Approximately 400 helicopters transported 2,000 soldiers into Iraq, where they destroyed Iraqi columns trying to flee westward and prevented the escape of Iraqi forces. The Screaming Eagles would travel an additional 50-60 miles (80-97 km) into Iraq.: By nightfall, the 101st had cut off Highway 8, which was a vital supply line running between Basra and the Iraqi forces. The 101st lost 16 soldiers in action during the 100-hour war and captured thousands of the enemy.