US M8 HMC "Edith" Free France Army, WWII Scale 1/72 HG4911

US M8 HMC "Edith" Free France Army, WWII Scale 1/72 Authentic Detailing Pre-Painted by professionals Accurate paint colors Markings Tampo (pad) applied Fully Assembled Die-Cast Model True to Scale (1:72) Metal turret and main gun Realistic tracks The U.S. military had requested a light close-support vehicle so a standard M5 with the turret removed was tested. A new open-top turret was installed, the Driver and Co-driver were moved forward to accommodate a larger turret and with limited space in the vehicle the chassis was modified to tow an armored ammunition trailer. The M8 was the first American fully tracked Self Propelled Howitzer with 1,778 vehicles being produced between September 1942 and January 1944. The M8 was gradually replaced by the M4 Sherman with 105mm Howitzers. “Edith” was an M8 that belonged to the First Regiment of Moroccan Spahis. Spahis is a derivative of an Ottoman (sipahi) and Middle Persian (Sepah) word meaning "army", or "horsemen". Eventually the unit became the reconnaissance regiment for the French 2nd Armored Division. “Edith” had a very tragic ending on September 11, 1944 near the town of Andelot-Blancheville when it was struck by a Panzerfaust grenade that punched a hole in the left side of the hull. “Edith” can be seen in Andelot-Blancheville as a monument to the brave men that fought and died there.