The best known American halftracks were the M series made as a standardized design by Autocar, Diamond T, International and White. The M series had a similar front end to the White M3A1 Scout Car but used more powerful engines: a 147bhp 6.3-liter White AX in the Autocar, Diamond T, and White, and a 143bhp 1HC in the International. Each version had four-speed gearboxes with two-speed transfer boxes and drive to the front axle as well as the tracked bogie. The M series halftracks were widely used by US forces in most theatres of the war, and were also supplied under the Lend-Lease Program to Great Britain, Canada and the Soviet Union. A total of 41,170 were made.

This particular 1:50 scale replica of a halftrack was used at Bougainville, New Guinea in 1943. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 5-inches
Width: 2-inches

Release Date: October 2004

Historical Account: "Late to the Party" - The Bougainville campaign occurred during World War II from November 1st, 1943 to August 21st, 1945, on and around Bougainville Island in the South Pacific, between forces of the Empire of Japan and the Allies. Bougainville, at that time, was part of the Australian territory of New Guinea, although geographically it was part of the Solomon Islands chain. The Bougainville campaign was, therefore, part of both the Allied New Guinea and Solomon Islands campaigns. Bougainville was occupied in 1942 by Japanese forces, who constructed naval air bases at Buka in the north and Buin in the south, as well as a naval ship base in the nearby Shortland Islands. The Japanese bases provided security for their major base at Rabaul, New Britain and supported their forces operating at other locations in the Solomon Islands.