The HMMWV; (Highly Mobile Multiple Wheeled Vehicle) aka: HUMVEE or HUMMER;
was developed to replace different vehicle families with one base vehicle with
many variant kits. Prior to the introduction of the HUMVEE, a TOW weapon Squad
required two M151A2 for transportation. One M151A2 carried the TOW weapon, Squad
Leader, Gunner, and Assistant Gunner. The other M151A2 carried six missiles and
the Ammo bearer. While an M966 equipped TOW squad only requires one vehicle.
The model depicts the M966, I commanded while assigned to the TOW 2
Platoon, HHC 3 Battalion 17 Infantry Regiment, 7 Infantry Division (Light), Fort
Ord, California (1987 to 1992).
I wanted to make it as accurate as possible. While the Academy's M966 was
fair, it lack many of the details found in the actual version. Details such as
the TOW weapon system, the radio system, storage racks, lack of the TOW weapon's
carrying cases, etc. So, I resorted to after-market accessories, additional
model kits, and scratch building to provide the detail I wanted.
So,
what started out as one simple model actually turned into two. One model was the
M966 itself and the other was the TOW 2 weapon system. This is my first attempt
with photo-etching and scratch building. And I am very pleased in the finish
model.
I used photo-etching for the grill on the hood, the missile rack, MGS battery storage bracket, tripod, MGS (missile guidance set), storage case mounting bracket, details on the AN/TAS-4A (nightsight) and the optical sight.
The TSEC/KY-57, located next to the Radio (AN\GRC-160) was scratch built utilizing scrap photo-etch While the radio itself came from an old M151A2 TOW jeep. All the radio and power cables were made from twisted telephone wire.The TOW carrying cases made out of plastic. The MGS batteries were made from paper index cards. All the tie down straps were made out of paper.The side view mirrors were cut from "anti-thieft metal strips.
The camouflage net bag consisted of medical gauze wrapped in paper. While the support system was constructed out of 12 scaled poles made from wooden dowels wrapped in paper.
The missile itself was an old missile case lathed to the general shape. The fins were cut from plastic sheet and the stand off probe was wire. The painting scheme was taken from the Raytheon's pamphlet on the TOW weapon system.
Academy, M966, TOW 2 Missile Carrier, (Kit #CA149)
DML U.S. Marine
Tank-Killers; for the TOW 2 (kit #3012)
Eduard Photo-etch, M1036 HMMV with
Tow Launcher (Kit # 35 258)
Aber Photo-etch, TOW and Dragon Detail Kit ( )
Telephone wire with cover for thick MGS and Nightsight cables
Twisted
telephone wire for power cables (flat black
Paper for straps
Testor's
Master Model Paints
TM 9-2320-280-10 with changes 1-4, Operator's Manual for the HMMWV
TB
43-0209, Color, Marking, and Camouflage, pages 54-55
FM 3-22-34 (FM 23-34);
Nov 2003; TOW Weapon System
Photographs of the M966 (personal
photos)
