The M-32 series of Armored Recovery vehicles were used by the US Army in the Second World War. These were modified tanks that were used as tow trucks and cranes to retrieve or repair damaged armored vehicles.
In my wargame rules, we use these vehicles to help crews repaired damaged tracks, and to recover vehicles with damage that is too sever for the crew to repair. It takes a crew four turns to repair a track, but the ARV allows this to be completed in only two turns. Any damaged tank can be repaired at a depot. Tanks that explode when hit or that are burned are not considered repairable. My ruleset shows when a tank is hit if it will burn or if it will explode. ARVs also have a tactical advantage. Many wargames fight over bridges or in built up urban areas. Often damaged vehicles will block the bridge or block roads. This can be a terrible problem for the attacker, and the ARV can be used to move these damaged vehicles out of the way. It only takes one soldier moving from the front of the ARV dragging the tow cable, and then moving to the damaged vehicle. The ARV can then coil up the cable and drag the damaged tank away. Usually a mortar or artillery smoke barrage will be laid in the area to help disguise the work of the ARV. The models in the photo are new 1/87th scale resin kits from Bill Jr. Models. These kits are so new, there are not examples yet painted nor can they be purchased. These are pre-production samples and will be part of a range of WWII American and German vehicles by Bill Jr. Models. I have seen their SDKFZ 222 German Armored Car and it is also very nice. It is a durable, detailed and easy to assemble wargame kit. The range includes other kits, and I will have more details as they are released.
In my wargame rules, we use these vehicles to help crews repaired damaged tracks, and to recover vehicles with damage that is too sever for the crew to repair. It takes a crew four turns to repair a track, but the ARV allows this to be completed in only two turns. Any damaged tank can be repaired at a depot. Tanks that explode when hit or that are burned are not considered repairable. My ruleset shows when a tank is hit if it will burn or if it will explode. ARVs also have a tactical advantage. Many wargames fight over bridges or in built up urban areas. Often damaged vehicles will block the bridge or block roads. This can be a terrible problem for the attacker, and the ARV can be used to move these damaged vehicles out of the way. It only takes one soldier moving from the front of the ARV dragging the tow cable, and then moving to the damaged vehicle. The ARV can then coil up the cable and drag the damaged tank away. Usually a mortar or artillery smoke barrage will be laid in the area to help disguise the work of the ARV. The models in the photo are new 1/87th scale resin kits from Bill Jr. Models. These kits are so new, there are not examples yet painted nor can they be purchased. These are pre-production samples and will be part of a range of WWII American and German vehicles by Bill Jr. Models. I have seen their SDKFZ 222 German Armored Car and it is also very nice. It is a durable, detailed and easy to assemble wargame kit. The range includes other kits, and I will have more details as they are released.
2 comments:
hello Mike , This a kit i have been waiting for ,When are they going to hit the market , It is a little small for 1/72 scale , but well work out great , Where can < I get a few of them , Regards Ken taylor
da_ghost_8152@yahoo.com
Bill Jr. will be happy to respond to all your model needs at this address.
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