Italeri 1/72 M20 Armored Utility Car Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

The M20 Armored Utility Car was essentially the M8 Greyhound minus the turret and turret ring. The 37mm main gun of the Greyhound, useless against German armor, was replaced with the 50 caliber machine gun.

The deletion of the turret made the vehicle faster to build and deploy, and these were used as all-terrain armored scout and utility vehicles.

The M20, along with the M8 Greyhounds in the field, were used through the end of WWII with US forces as well as equipping the Free French ground forces.

Italeri has released this nice rendition of the M20 armored car in 1/72 scale. The kit is molded in olive drab styrene and presented on two parts trees. The kit shares parts with the M8 Greyhound judging by some of the parts marked not for use.

Since this is an open-top vehicle, I was curious if any sort of interior is provided and indeed one is there. There in an interior floor with crew seats, a rear compartment bulkhead to divide the crew compartment from the engine compartment, and interior covers for the exterior storage sponsons. While an AMS modeler may choose to dress up the interior further, most modelers will find sufficient detail straight out of the box with the help of some effective painting and weathering inside.

The 6 x 6 powertrain is mounted to the lower hull along with the suspension and wheels.

Exterior detailing includes driving lights/guards, antenna bases, crew stowage and fuel/water cans, and the all-important 50 caliber mounted on a gun ring.

Markings are included for three examples:

• US Army, unknown unit, Germany, 1945
• US Army, 701 TD, recon unit, Italy, 1944
• US Army, unknown unit, Ardennes, late 1944

This will build up into a nice rendition of this unique-looking scout vehicle. Whether for war gaming or the contest table, this project will definitely be an eye catcher. Recommended!

My sincere thanks to Testors for this review sample!