A 'feature' of all US Army units during WWII was the half-track. It was used to move troops and materials over the sort of terrain that trucks couldn't traverse. It was also used as a mobile anti-aircraft platform and as a platform for the M1 81mm mortar and at times as a self-propelled gun with various calibers of light to medium artillery in the bed.

This latter usage as a SPG was not very common and more frequently it was used as a general carry-all and to provide escort for truck convoys.

This book covers both the M2 and somewhat larger M3 versions as built by Autocar, White and Diamond T, as well as those built by International Harvester and designated as M9 and M5. These later versions can be distinguished by their 'flat' fenders and rounded rear corners. These vehicles served by the thousands with US and Allied forces during the war. After the war they were doled out to various military forces around the world and often modified for local conditions. The biggest user outside the US was Israel which finally retired its half tracks in the 1990s.

Typical of the rest of Squadron's Walk Around series, there is very little historical information provided. Just enough to give you an intro to the type. The rest of the book is quality b&w and color photos of the actual vehicles, down to every accessible part. Unlike some other books in the series, all of the images in this one are of museum vehicles. The author covers the major variants in the photo essay, which are the M2/M9, M3/M5, M16 multiple gun motor carriage, and an Israeli modified M9. There is also a section on the M1 81mm mortar installation. No part of the vehicle other than the underside, is left unphotographed. Adding to it are several pages of profiles of different versions that are superbly drawn.

This is a volume that no military modeler should be without. The coverage is superb and is a must for those who have to have every detail correct.

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