M46 and M26 Tanks

Back in the 1950s the M46 was a popular war toy.

I remember having at least two different ones, one about 1/48th scale and the other about 1/24th scale.

They fought many battles on carpets, sidewalks and lawns over the years.

Now I finally have one for the wargame table in HO scale resin and plastic.

Heiser Models HO scale M26 compared to the M46 tanks.

The turrets are almost identical, the front hull is very similar, the main gun and rear hulls are very different.
 

M46 in Olive Drab

Heiser Models HO scale resin M46 tank with primer paint applied.

I think the M46 is an iconic tank and very cool looking.

Here it is before any detail painting in Testors Olive Drab spray paint, number 1265.  They recently changed the number from 1911 to 1265 but the color is identical.

 A great looking tank and one I have been trying to get for decades.

I remember when Paul Heiser came out with his M26 tank and I suggested he make this one at that time and here we are only 25 years later and already on the market!

Here you can see the small box at the rear, it's the first aid kit.

I did this one with the side skirts, tools in front, and the spare tracks on the side turret.  My plan is to get a company of 17 tanks, and put side skirts on five of them.
 

Snow Fighting

We only get about 3 to 6 inches of snow per year, so when winter comes I get all my snow figures ready to deploy.

I rush outside and set up various figures and equipment while the snow lasts.

Sometimes it only lasts one day so I have to prioritize the photos.

These 60mm BMC Korean War US Army figures are new, so naturally they get first place.

Eight poses and each one is very good.  The fit well with the old Tim Mee 60mm figures but that set up will have to wait for new snow.
 

Fighting Positions

The American line is about 250 yards away.

An under-strength platoon is dug in, in the snow.

Each foxhole contains about a half-squad of troops.

They have a few bazookas.

But no mortars, nor heavy machine guns.

Their fortifications have no communications trenches.

They have no overhead cover.

Just seven fighting positions.

They can't be expected to hold long.
 

BMC Korean War US Army

 

BMC 60mm Korean War US Infantry.

The set includes the post WWII Super Bazooka.

The WWII era bazooka was getting obsolete even during the war.

So the Army kept making larger and larger rockets until they could make one to take on Tiger tanks and in Korea T-34 tanks.

These figures are designed for use in winter.

They are wearing mittens, overcoats, even blankets over their shoulders.

They even look cold.

BMC Korean War US Army

BMC Korean War US Army troops in the snow, 60mm.

These guys just look cold.

Many are wearing mittens.

The poses are very well done.

They are a great addition to my collection.
 

Korean War Figures by BMC

These guys just look cold.  BMC 60mm Korean War soldiers.

Kneeling firing, in Korea the war was often close up, clearing out trenches so the bayonet was a must for that kind of combat.

Standing and reloading.  In a gunfight you should be moving to cover, firing, or reloading.

All eight poses in combat.

They look really good together I think.

No flash and they fit well with MPC Ring Hands and Tim Mee old time figures.

The new figures are much more animated.

They fit especially well with what I call the Tim Mee M14 guys.  They were armed with M14 rifles and were a chunkier style than the later 54mm M16 armed Tim Mee figures.

The Korean War never really ended and all through the 1960s there were firefights off and on and even the occasional incursion over the DMZ.
 

BMC Korea War Winter US Troops

These are 60mm Korean War troops in winter gear.

They look like they just came right out of the movie Retreat, Hell.

 A kneeling reloading guy, an M-1 rifle only has 8 rounds so when fending off a human wave attack of thousands of Chi Coms you likely will have to reload several times!

Man holding a BAR but firing a Colt .45.  I like the Colt .45 but in most cases the BAR may be the better choice.

M1 rifle and full field pack.

When you are done loading your M1 rifle, fix bayonets and be prepared for close quarters combat.

During Korea the US used an upgraded bazooka that was much larger and more powerful than the WWII versions.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x375jov

If you never saw Retreat, Hell, here is a link.