M29 Weasel Arctic/Antarctic Expedition Vehicle

Plastic model kit for an M29 Weasel as an Arctic/Antarctic expedition vehicle

• Scale 1:35
• Segment tracks
• Clear and photo-etched parts included
• unbuilt/unpainted
• Paint and glue not included

The M29 Weasel is based on a British development for a transport vehicle that does its job on snow and similarly difficult surfaces. The U.S. American company Studebaker took over the idea with the T-15 Weasel, later M28 Cargo Carrier, its further development the M29 Weasel (T-24 in development) with twice as many rollers, wider tracks, rear drive wheels and the driver's position next to the engine. If you compare pictures of the M28 with the M29, you get the impression that the front and rear were swapped from the M28 to the M29.

The open-topped, 1.8-ton vehicle reached a speed of 58 km/h with its 75 hp (56 kW). In addition to the driver's seat, there were three passenger seats and space for radio equipment. In view of planned amphibious operations, a buoyant variant, the M29C, was also developed.

Officially, the M29 was not involved in combat operations, but was only used for logistical purposes. After World War II, the M29 remained in the U.S. Army inventory. Army until it was replaced by the M76 Otter. The M29 was in service in Norway until the 1980s.