Figarti Recovery Tank (1 Viewer)

[agmtanks]

 

[sceic2]

Thank you for posting the picture. What is the scale 1:30 or 1:32?

 

[noli-poli]

Rick:

That is enough! I am full and poor. I have to take a home equity. Kidding aside, this is truly a shock and awe! Will you do an American version of this? I'll get one of each

Hsieh-hsieh, Hsieh-hsieh

 

[Steven Chong]

Thank you for posting the picture. What is the scale 1:30 or 1:32?

FM30 or 1/30 scale.

 

[Steven Chong]

Rick:

That is enough! I am full and poor. I have to take a home equity. Kidding aside, this is truly a shock and awe! Will you do an American version of this? I'll get one of each

Hsieh-hsieh, Hsieh-hsieh

The prototype shown was painted in Olive Drab so it is probably the American version.

 

[binder001]

The M31 IS the US version! The US Army realized that they were caught short of vehicles that go go onto a still hot battle area and recover damaged armor. There was a surplus of late production M3 medium tanks so they were used as the basis for a recovery vehicle. Develpoed as Recovery Vehicle T2 it was later standardized as Vehicle,Tank Recovery M31. Some wartime references used the reference"Tare 2" to refer to the armored recovery vehicle. These were later replaced by the M32-series of recovery vehicles, but M31s served to the end of the war in Europe and Italy.

Figarti captured the features of the M31. This vehicle has long been of interest to me so I have examined phoos and models of it for years. The turret had a dummy 37mm gun and the 75mm gun in front was fake also (so the enemy would not see the M31 as a helpless target). The 75mm mount was replaced by a door into the crew compartments (the side doors were welded up - which is reflected on the model). The turret received a lifting boom. The capacity of the boomcould be increased by using folding legs for support - these are present on the Figarti model and on the prototype model they were moveable. There was no mention of figures yet, but the Grant and Lee models each had three figures, so presumablythe M31 would come with some crew as well.

IMPORTANT - Rick Wang said that production of the M31 model is "being considered" so please contact them to show support for a run of these to be made. We only get these unusual models if we vote with our checkbooks!

The M31 was also supplied to the British and Free French forces. To the British the "Grant ARV Mk 1" was a recovery vehicle converted by the British and the "Grant ARV Mk 2" was the M31.

Possibilities - the US Army deployed large 8 inch (203mm) guns and 240mm howitzers as the extra heavy artillery. These were in battalions that were part of the artillery assests of the field armies and were assigned as needed. The desired towing vehicle, the M6 high speed tractor, was not ready in time for these guns so surplus M31s were converted to gun tractors to pull these large weapons.

Another possibility - the British and Americans developed a tank mounted searchlight - the "Canal Defense Light". The aim was to deploy hundreds of CDLs to allow night tank attacks. The program was so top secret that the lights were never used on a large scale, but hundreds of surplus Grant and Lee tanks were converted. This could be an interesting limited edition model.

Gary B.

 

[RWFigarti]

Here are some Official Photos:

 

[Beaufighter]

Rick & Team FIGARTI:

In response to all of your releases...everything I would expect from an USC TROJAN alumnus! Simply splendid!

FIGHT ON,
Beaufighter

 

[JPB]

Is this a Pacific release?

JP

 

[binder001]

Is this a Pacific release?JP

It is 1:30 scale and will work with other 1:30 vehicles. The M31 is often associated with Europe but it was the only recovery tank available from 1943-44 when the M32 came along and was not fully replaced until the end of the war, so it can be placed in any theater.

Gary B.

 

[JPB]

It is 1:30 scale and will work with other 1:30 vehicles. The M31 is often associated with Europe but it was the only recovery tank available from 1943-44 when the M32 came along and was not fully replaced until the end of the war, so it can be placed in any theater.

Gary B.

So it was on the beaches of Normandy?

JP

 

[sv288]

Excellent, excellent, excellent.

 

[binder001]

So it was on the beaches of Normandy?JP

I don't think they landed with the assault waves but would definitely have been in the follow on administrative elements. The US tank battalions in the actual assault came in in several waves - the medium tank companies were sent in, two companies with Duplex Drive tanks and the third company, reinforced with extra dozer tanks, came in off LCTs. In later waves (or the next day) came the light tank company (M5A1s) with the Headquarters Company.

Gary

 

[noli-poli]

The M31 IS the US version! The US Army realized that they were caught short of vehicles that go go onto a still hot battle area and recover damaged armor. There was a surplus of late production M3 medium tanks so they were used as the basis for a recovery vehicle. Develpoed as Recovery Vehicle T2 it was later standardized as Vehicle,Tank Recovery M31. Some wartime references used the reference"Tare 2" to refer to the armored recovery vehicle. These were later replaced by the M32-series of recovery vehicles, but M31s served to the end of the war in Europe and Italy.

Figarti captured the features of the M31. This vehicle has long been of interest to me so I have examined phoos and models of it for years. The turret had a dummy 37mm gun and the 75mm gun in front was fake also (so the enemy would not see the M31 as a helpless target). The 75mm mount was replaced by a door into the crew compartments (the side doors were welded up - which is reflected on the model). The turret received a lifting boom. The capacity of the boomcould be increased by using folding legs for support - these are present on the Figarti model and on the prototype model they were moveable. There was no mention of figures yet, but the Grant and Lee models each had three figures, so presumablythe M31 would come with some crew as well.

IMPORTANT - Rick Wang said that production of the M31 model is "being considered" so please contact them to show support for a run of these to be made. We only get these unusual models if we vote with our checkbooks!

The M31 was also supplied to the British and Free French forces. To the British the "Grant ARV Mk 1" was a recovery vehicle converted by the British and the "Grant ARV Mk 2" was the M31.

Possibilities - the US Army deployed large 8 inch (203mm) guns and 240mm howitzers as the extra heavy artillery. These were in battalions that were part of the artillery assests of the field armies and were assigned as needed. The desired towing vehicle, the M6 high speed tractor, was not ready in time for these guns so surplus M31s were converted to gun tractors to pull these large weapons.

Another possibility - the British and Americans developed a tank mounted searchlight - the "Canal Defense Light". The aim was to deploy hundreds of CDLs to allow night tank attacks. The program was so top secret that the lights were never used on a large scale, but hundreds of surplus Grant and Lee tanks were converted. This could be an interesting limited edition model.

Gary B.

Sign me up for 2 My Germans have the Bergepanther (Honnor Bound), now the Americans will hav the M31 (not to mention the M26 Dragon Wagon from KC). Great diorama opportunities for behind the lines diorama. Where can we petition Rick?

 

[binder001]

I gather we can contact Figarti or we can pre-order it through our dealers and they will get the numbers to Rick. Strong preorders should be the stimulus.

Attached is a photo of a T2 (M31) embarked on an LCT ready to leave Bizerte for the invasion of Sicily. Note the nickname "GO Get It" and the paint scheme. The 2nd Armored Division and some other US units used a painted camouflage scheme of sand-tan over OD for Sicily. This shows that these vehicles were in action for Sicily, Italy and northwest Europe.

Gary

 

[jazzeum]

Gary,

Just bear in mind that, in all likelihood, numbers will be limited to 160 (100 in USA).

 

[Steven Chong]

Gary,

Just bear in mind that, in all likelihood, numbers will be limited to 160 (100 in USA).

I think the numbers will be less ... Rick mentioned producing only 50 to 60 since he thought this version would not be too popular. He was also considering producing the artillery towing version.

 

[noli-poli]

I think the numbers will be less ... Rick mentioned producing only 50 to 60 since he thought this version would not be too popular. He was also considering producing the artillery towing version.

Prime mover for the Long Tom? Great!

 

[binder001]

Prime mover for the Long Tom? Great!

Sorry lad, but not the Long Tom. The "defrocked" M31s were designated M33 Prime Mover and were used to pull the huge US 8" gun or 240mm howitzers. The desired prime mover, the M6 High Speed Tractor, was not ready when the guns were available to be deployed so there were defrocked recovery vehicles M33 and M34 plus some de-turreted tank destroyer(M35) used.

Attached is a shot of the M35, based on a turretless M10 towing the gun portion of a US 8-inch gun. The gun's carriage would travel on a separate trailer.

Gary B

 

[noli-poli]

Sorry lad, but not the Long Tom. The "defrocked" M31s were designated M33 Prime Mover and were used to pull the huge US 8" gun or 240mm howitzers. The desired prime mover, the M6 High Speed Tractor, was not ready when the guns were available to be deployed so there were defrocked recovery vehicles M33 and M34 plus some de-turreted tank destroyer(M35) used.

Attached is a shot of the M35, based on a turretless M10 towing the gun portion of a US 8-inch gun. The gun's carriage would travel on a separate trailer.

Gary B

Gary:

Thanks.
Would a defrocked Sherman work as well?