GMU – 72004 – Military Truck DIAMOND-T 981 and 45-Ton Trailer

Description:

Unassembled plastic model kit in 1/72 scale of a U.S. Heavy truck Diamond-T 981 and a 45 tons semitrailer. This combination was known as M19 Tank Transporter and was operated by almost all the Allies in all theaters, though both American and British army were the main users of the type, remaining in British service till 50s and even more in some cases. The U.S. army replaced them during the WWII (at least on front line) by the armored M25 Tank Transporter.

Diamond T model 981 was introduced in 1942, added a winch with 150 meters cable, allowing tank recovery in addition to load on the trailer and not only transport. The 45 Ton trailer is a 12-wheel M9 trailer produced in the U.S. In the long years in British service 40 ton British made trailers were built and in the U.S. service a semi-trailer configuration was preferred to improve  turning radius and traction.

The kit consists of 296 plastic parts and 146 PE (photo-etched) parts which are a too high number of parts. Decal sheet include at least markings for the British Royal Army Service Corps in Africa service, the first theater were the M19 was deployed.

Kit newly tooled in 2024.