Military Model Scene

Latest news from Bronco Models of a new CB35148 the US M19A1 40mm Gun Motor Carriage 'Duster', from the Korean War era.

As their notes tell us -

​

The M19 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage was based on the M24 Chaffee light tank built by Cadillac and Massey-Harris. It was a light anti-aircraft tank mounting two 40mm Bofors guns in an open top turret. The 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun was adopted by the US Army after six British-built guns were trialled in 1941. It was by far the best anti-aircraft gun in its class with a muzzle velocity of 881 m/s and an effective range of over 7,000 meters. The M19 mounted two weapons side by side with 352 rounds of ammunition.

It entered service in late-1944 and saw action in the ground role as an infantry support weapon, were it was very effective. As the war ended production was cut to 285 vehicles from the original order of 904 units. The M19 saw action again in the Korean War 1950-53 in the ground role supporting infantry. A small number were exported to the Netherlands army in 1951, and a few to the Japanese Ground Self Defence Force in 1954. The M24 fleet was replaced by the M41 Walker Bulldog light tank in the early 1950's. The M19 was also withdrawn, but the turrets were removed and mounted on the M41 hull to produce the M42 Duster of which 3,700 were eventually built. The M19 had a road speed of 56 km/h and a range of 241 kilometres. In action the M19 was normally served by a crew of six

soldiers.

​

Thanks to Bronco Models for the news, and for the pictures of the box art and computer images.

​

Robin