The first vehicle in the M26 Pershing new line by HM is in the shops! It represents a tank in the 1st Marine Tank Bn at Inchon, Korea, in 1950, and the enclosed picture shows the real tank - B41.
The 1st Marine Division had a real hard time in Korea, as they seemed to be everywhere at all times! Of course, they also took part in the landing operations at Inchon, where the allies (UN) finally arrived in force in Korea and started the offensive that would liberate Seoul and wipe North Koreans home... until the arrival of zillions of Chinese troops. These M26 tanks were in the first wave that landed at Green Beach, and were instrumental in the destruction of several columns of T-34s that attempted a counteroffensive against the beach head.
As you may see in the accompanying picture, the model by HM is a late M26 with the square housing at the glacis. While the model looks certainly good, it has two obvious errors: a) the gun lock on the engine deck corresponds to an M26A1, not an M26 (please Hawk, tell HM to include this detail in their third release, which has been announced as an M26A1!); b) the funny curve upwards that we saw in the pre-production sample's rear fender is still there... and is wrong!
The rest of the model looks good, and the overall shape and proportions seem right. As with other HM models, some more weathering would be welcome, especially around the tracks and wheels.
I really hope the next issue will have those "sporty" flared rear fenders corrected, and a proper gun lock attached to the exhaust pipe on the rear plate. The quality and accuracy of the remaining parts and details well deserve it.
