COBI M41A3 Walker Bulldog Set 2239

COBI's M41A3 Walker Bulldog is built from 625 blocks with working tracks and road wheels, a rotating turret, opening hatches, access to a brick-built engine, and two American figures with accessories. All markings are pad-printed; the set contains no stickers.

Named after a traffic accident

The tank carries the name of General Walton Walker, who commanded the Eighth Army in Korea. He was not killed in action. In December 1950 his jeep collided with a truck on an icy road north of Seoul, and the light tank then in development was named for him.

The M41 was built to replace the M24 Chaffee with something that could survive a meeting with Soviet armour. It was fast and well protected for its weight and carried a 76 mm gun, but it drank fuel badly and its tracks were loud enough to give away a reconnaissance approach — an awkward flaw in a vehicle whose job was to look without being seen.

Around 5,500 were built. The first ones into combat were in Cuban exile hands at the Bay of Pigs in 1961. In Vietnam the M41 met the T-54 and came off second best, and from 1965 the United States handed its tanks to South Vietnam and other buyers rather than keep them in service.

In the COBI range

Part of the Vietnam War series, and the natural opponent for COBI's T-54. The river patrol boat is set 2238.

Specifications

Pieces: 625 · Figures: 2 with accessories · Working tracks, rotating turret, opening hatches