Assembled model 1/35 APC/BMP M114 A1E1 CRV (M114 A2) Takom 2149 The M114 Command and Reconnaissance Carrier is a Vietnam War-era tracked armored vehicle used by the United States Army.
It was built in the early 1960s by the Cadillac division of General Motors to create a fast small scout car. Like the larger M113, the M114 was amphibious and could be parachuted.
However, unlike the M113, which became one of the most successful armored vehicles in the world, it quickly proved unsuitable for use in the Vietnam War.
The US troops did not receive these machines in this theater of operations, but at least 40 machines were delivered to the South Vietnamese army.
During service in the reconnaissance squadrons of the ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam), the M114 proved to be mechanically unreliable, underpowered, and had extreme difficulty moving over rough terrain.
The lack of resistance against land mines was fatal: a single mine would literally tear the M114 in half. The M114E1 (later M114A2) 20mm gun and hydraulically operated turret were also in service. However, it proved to be a trouble spot for inexperienced mechanics. Recoil made rapid, accurate fire very difficult. In November 1964, the M114 was withdrawn from service in Vietnam and replaced by the reliable M113 ACAV.
Unusually for the US Army, the M114's combat experience in Vietnam was ignored by US Army High Command, and the M114 was introduced to all intelligence units in Europe and the United States.
The vehicles were operated here until 1979, and then were decommissioned.
Fortunately, Takom is now producing the first die-cast M114 in 1:35. Previously only the resin model was available at Accurate Armor.
The M114 A1 E1 version (sometimes called the M114 A2) is discussed here. Unlike the regular A1, here we find a 20mm cannon (a Hispano Suiza cannon built under license).
This replaced the previously used M2 machine gun in the new turret on the A1 machines. Now to the set: In a surprisingly small but well-filled set box we find: Five gray splashes
Spray from transparent plastic
Twisted wire
A piece of soft plastic
Engraved printed circuit board
Distinctive signs
A construction guide with a brief history
