U.S. Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 35312 1/35

During WWII, the first American fully tracked self-propelled howitzer was the M8. Built on the chassis of the M5, the M8 featured an open-topped turret armed with a 75mm howitzer and a 12.7mm M2 machine gun. Production ran from September 1942 to January 1944, with approximately 1,800 units manufactured. The M8 saw its first combat in mid-1943 and was deployed across multiple theaters of war, including the Italian and Northwest European fronts, as well as the Pacific Theater, primarily for fire support duties.

Post-WWII, the M8 continued to serve, notably with the French army during the Indochina Wars, showcasing its enduring utility and robust design. This versatile vehicle played a crucial role in supporting infantry operations and providing mobile artillery firepower throughout its service life.