Can anyone ID this?

[ogrejohn]

What the heck are these vehicles and does anyone make a model of it? This was taken by a member of the 82nd Airborne during the battle of the bulge. Brrr looks cold! 

[JCON]

The M29 Weasel was a World War II tracked vehicle, built by Studebaker, designed for operation in snow.

[JCON]

[ogrejohn]

Thanks Joe! 

[JCON]

The idea for the Weasel came from the work of British inventor Geoffrey Pyke in support of his proposals to attack Axis forces and industrial installations in Norway. Pyke's plan to hamper the German atomic weapons development became Project Plough for which he proposed a fast light mechanised device that would transport small groups of commando troops of the 1st Special Service Force across snow. In active service in Europe, Weasels were used to supply frontline troops over difficult ground when wheeled vehicles were immobilised.
The first 2,103 vehicles had 15 in (380 mm) tracks, a later version had 20 in (510 mm) tracks. The M29 was amphibious, but with a very low freeboard; the M29C Water Weasel was the amphibious version, with buoyancy cells in the bow and stern as well as twin rudders. M29C could not operate in other than inland waterway conditions, so its use in surf or rough water was very limited but was used in the Pacific theatre.
Evidence exists[2] for M29s being brought to the Meiringen railway station in November 1946, to support the U.S. Army's attempt to rescue the twelve individuals from the scene of the 1946 C-53 Skytrooper crash on the Gauli Glacier. The Weasels were planned to be used for a ground rescue, climbing up the Gauli Glacier. A pair of Swiss Flugwaffe-flown Fieseler Storch STOL aircraft were able to effect the rescue solely by air, before the Weasels were needed.

The Weasel idea was introduced in 1942, when the First Special Services Force needed transportation into Norway to knock out strategic power plants. The vehicle needed to move quickly and easily through the winter snows of Norway. It needed to be air transportable and be able to withstand the effects of being dropped by parachute and would also be able to carry arms, explosives and minimal resupply stocks.[3]
The Norwegian mission was cancelled and therefore the Weasel was never used for its original intention. However, as it was amphibious and could cross terrain too soft for most other vehicles, it was used widely in both Italy and on the Western Front. It went ashore on Normandy, it was with the U.S. Army during the breakthrough at St. Lo., the Battle of the Bulge and in the mud of the Roer and the Rhine. M29 was a Cargo Carrier but was also used as a command center, radio, ambulance and signal line layer.[4] US soldiers soon realized the Weasel could be used as an ambulance, as it could get to places not even Jeeps could. Another use was for crossing minefields as its ground pressure was often too low to set off anti-tank mines.
After the war many surplus M29s were sold to allied countries (Norway, Sweden, France, etc). Some M29C and M29 survived to serve in Korea, supplementing 1/4 ton 4x4 cargo vehicles in rough conditions. They served in Arctic and cold weather operations until retired in 1958. Large numbers of retired Weasels were sold off in the 1950s to civilians and municipal organizations. For example 25 Weasels were loaned for the VIII Olympic Winter Games in 1960.

[JCON]

November 1944, USMC distributed M29s to the 3d, 4th, and 5th Marine Divisions. They proved invaluable with its first appearance in combat on Iwo Jima. It also saw use on Okinawa.[5]
The USMC used only the non-amphibious version, but it was capable of hauling a half-ton load through sand and mud. Besides this they pulled trailers and artillery pieces over the terrain that wheeled vehicles could not negotiate.

[JCON]

Hobbylinc sells one but they are pricy at almost $80....  This is the 1/35 Scale WWII US M29 Weasel Tracked Vehicle (Resin) from LZ Models.



www.hobbylinc.com/lz-wwii-us-m29-weasel-tracked-vehicle-resin-plastic-model-personnel-carrier-kit-1:35-35501?source=froogle&gclid=CjwKCAiAhfzSBRBTEiwAN-ysWM7qIqvNedITxlnjRSuXnsJSzOLv-SH357fEXPm15noM7WpxMK-oEhoCkXEQAvD_BwE

[JCON]

Here is a picture from WWII in the Ardennes Forest...

[ogrejohn]

That is a bit pricey for such a small vehicle. 

It sure looks cold there. I've talked to the guy who took the picture I posted and he said he thought he would freeze to death there. Said he'd never been as cold as that any time before or after that experience. 

[BUCKY]

Very good info on these versatile vehicles, Joe! Thanks for diggin' that up! I cudda used one of those down on the farm!!

[JCON]

It was fun to research it and find the answers!!! Glad to have been of service!!!

[WardWorks]

Monogram also did a styrene kit of the Weasel, it said 1/32 scale on the box, but was closer to 1/35th, had a rounded front end and twin rudders down the back, its still around and can be found quite cheaply if you look hard enough !

Regards
OB 😉

[JCON]

Good info there OB!!!

[WardWorks]

Why thank you sir ! 👍

Released in 1960, re-released in 66, changed the box only, disappeared from the catalogue in 1969. Not rare per se (moulds still exist, Monogram sold over 250,000 of the kits), just hard to find at sensible prices by bods who intend to build it. They pop up on Ebay from time to time, normally priced well north of US-$100 as a rare “hard to find” kit, (Means the collectors are still looking for them and are prepared to pay prices that are quite frankly, daylight robbery with bells on). 😲😡 

I had several over the years as a kid, wish one had survived intact (bit hard when they were usually disposed of air rifle style), followed by the bits being shattered and widely scattered next time Dad mowed the back yard ! Several Tamiya 25th Tigers, Panthers and a Chieftain also ended their days that way in those long gone days... 🤔🤫🤨

Regards
OB of fond childhood memories 😉

[JCON]

I hear you, my little brothers destroyed mine...

[Robbo]

That's a neat looking little vehicle, shame Tamiya don't do one

[RLFoster]

Just FYI, I have the old Monogram kit (although the tracks are useless) and the LZ Models resin kit.

[JED]

Some great info there folks,always great when you get first hand accounts from the soldiers there at the time,pictures paint a thousand words but with real accounts priceless

[Dukemaddog]

Excellent information here. I would love it if someday someone released a plastic kit of that vehicle in 1/72 scale.