A Hunter, but not as we know it!

[Martin H]

Ive lifted this from my usual build thread



The Hunter concept tank, dating from 1955, this vehicle was never built, it only got as far as the drawings stage


The running gear and lower hull is pretty much a standard M-48/M-60 chassis.


The main armament was meant to be a pair of 105mm unguided rocket launchers and it was supposed to be able to fire 14 shots before needing a reload.


Its marked up as serving with the 3rd Tank battalion, 40th Armored regiment of the 1st cavalry division, based in south Korea circa 1963.

And its a Cromwell 1/72nd scale resin kit.

[Thorvic]

Ohh very tasty, looks more manga than a project cancelled, but nice to see it out in kit form 

[PR19_Kit]

Where does the Avon go? 

[Captain Canada]

From some angles it looks so cool and from others it looks so funny ! Defo has that retro look to it tho.

[pyro-manic]

Fascinating! I really like the look of this. I'm wondering where the rocket exhaust efflux goes, though? There don't seem to be any vents anywhere...

[kitbasher]

Not the Sydney Camm product, then!

[Cobra]

Very Cool has a Gerry Anderson feel to it! Hope to See more Cool Stuff from You Dan

[rickshaw]

It was a strange beast about which very little is known.  It's mentioned in one of Hunnicutt's books as an outgrowth from one of a series of conferences the US Army held in the 1950s to review where armoured development was going (the "Outlook" conferences IIRC).  They came up with loads of interesting, even strange ideas such as Atomic powered tanks and the such like.

The 105mm rocket guns were interesting.  No exhausts the efflux is contained in the barrel until the rocket exits.  Problem with such weapons is that like all rockets, their ballistics tend to suck at longer ranges, with considerable dispersion occurring after they exit the barrel.   The turret also didn't have 360 degrees of rotation, while the superfiring twin .50cal HMGs did.

The vehicle was also unusual 'cause the entire rear deck opened up, clamshell like to allow crew ingress/egress, through the engine compartment.

[Weaver]

Only just seen this. Very interesting project: nice model Martin.

Hard to see what the advantage of the rocket guns would be really....

[deathjester]

I agree up to a point:  when designed, the rocket launchers would have been too much Trouble - now however, with guided rounds virtually the norm, it would be quite handy!