Tree Handling

This Matchbox vehicle is called Dirt Smasher.

It does have a dozer blade on the back, but it's main tool is a tree grabber.

Shown here are some 1/72nd scale Esci US Paratroopers.

This type of machine would be common in areas were logging is done.

The dozer blade can also be used to make dirt roads to the trees.

This would make a nice group for creating a base out of an Alaskan wilderness.

Bulldozer

In the last couple years, Matchbox has provided us with a ton of new military vehicles and construction vehicles.

Most construction vehicles can be used as military vehicles with a quick paint job.

While many armies use military designed engineer vehicles, they also use many off the shelf construction vehicles.

This is particularly true when they are being used for construction or obstacle clearing.

You don't require an armored bulldozer for most jobs.

Shown here with an Esic 1/72nd scale WWII US Army paratrooper for size.

With all the new white vehicles I am considering some Arctic or Antarctic units.

These vehicles would look good working for the Alaska National Guard.

Or clearing runways at MacMurdo for the planes to come in and fight the UFOs.

Security

Matchbox makes this truck in several colors.

I plan on using it as a private security vehicle.

Blackwater is perhaps the most famous of the modern mercenary companies that provide security services.

Armored cars are important to this industry.

You have to live to get paid.

A small convoy with armored vehicles and trucks.

SAS type troops guard the convoy.

Cargo Truck

This is the new Matchbox Travel Tracker.

It has a motorcycle on the front of the cab.

It reminds me a bit of a tourist bus.

I think if it was repainted, it could work well for a Third World nations military.

It has sleeping bags on the roof and some items that look like land mines!

An interesting vehicle.

Shown here with some SAS figures in 1/72nd scale by Caesar Miniatures.

Snow Track

In stores now are these three snow track vehicles.

They are identical except for colors and markings.

These Warsaw Pact troops are from Esci in 1/72nd scale.

There is a nice exit door at the end.

It's been a busy Matchbox month!

Snow Plow

This little snow plow is the Blizzard Buster.

I got all three of these different versions at a local Target store.

I am considering repainting some of them as US Army vehicles.

Still, I will keep at least one of each in their original colors.

I like having a variety of different versions for different scenarios.

Matchbox Marauder

This is a Matchbox Rumble Raider.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marauder_%28vehicle%29  It appears to be based on a real vehicle in service with several countries.

It's not an exact match, but it's pretty good.

I got a few of them to use as auxiliary vehicles.

They are a nice big model.

Shown here with Esci 1/72nd scale Warsaw Pact infantry.

Tracks

Another Matchbox re-run.

The US Army experimented with tracks like these in the past.

The concept was that you could take existing wheeled vehicles and make them into tracked vehicles to operate in snow or mud.

I got these to use the tracks for Army vehicles.

I like these white ones and will probably keep a few just like this as civilian exploration vehicles.

Here they are with Esci 1/72nd Warsaw Pact Troops.

They are nice little vehicles.

The roof is semi-clear and needs to be painted.