Armory 1/72 M41A1/M41A2 Walker Bulldog Kit First Look

By Anatoly Sushon

First Look

The M41 was the next generation of light tank, replacing the M24 Chaffee. The prototype M41 entered testing in 1949 and production versions followed two years later. The tank was originally nicknamed the "Little Bulldog" but this was changed to "Walker Bulldog" in honor of General Walton Walker who was killed in Korea. The M41 remained in front-line service with the US Army until the early 1960s, when replaced by the M551 Sheridan. The Walker Bulldog was provided to about two dozen nations, seeing combat in Vietnam as part of the ARVN, and examples can likely been seen today in various parts of the world carrying a variety of 'upgrades'. During one action in 1971 in Laos, ARVN M41s plinked six T-54s and sixteen PT-76s without any losses. Not bad for a light tank!

Here's a nice kit for the 1/72 armor modeler - the Walker Bulldog light tank. Molded in gray styrene, this kit is presented on five parts trees plus three frets of photo-etched parts. The kit has some nice details without an excessive number of tiny parts, but still providing good detail options like open or closed hatches, movable turret, and link and length track. While assembly is straightforward, this kit is for the experienced modeler given that there are so many small photo-etched parts that will require cyano to place. For example, there are a number of individual turret grab irons, a photo-etched cradle for the .50 caliber machine gun, etc. With skills and patience, this kit will build up into a super-detailed masterpiece.

If you're looking for something unique to add to your scale motor pool, this distinctive light tank is just what you're looking for.

My sincere thanks to Armory for this review sample!