Author Topic: (1/72nd) Brewster Aeronautical Corporation WAQ M2A1  (Read 1831 times)

Offline Story

  • Nicht mein Zirkus, nicht meine Affen...
(1/72nd) Brewster Aeronautical Corporation WAQ M2A1
« on: January 29, 2021, 03:09:03 AM »
Inspired by the
Invasion of Japan/Japan ‘46 GB.

With the invasion of the Homeland Islands looming, the United States Marine Corps anticipated more defensive positions in cliffside caves overlooking landing areas. By January 1945, they had published a requirement for "something more" than the Landing Vehicle, Tracked 4 and the M4 Sherman Medium Tank, with wading gear.

Specifically, the Marines wanted to be able to deploy the upgraded Sherman with 105mm M4 Howitzer, designed for infantry support and assault while sacrificing anti-armor capability. However, the pilot versions of the M4(105) were test fitted with deep water fording equipment, but problems were encountered and the fording development work was “carried on under a separate project.”

Brewster Aeronautical Corporation was the only company to submit a design, based on an 'improved' version of the Stark Industries M-1A1 Combat Walker (See http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=9080.msg168958#msg168958) and despite the company's reputation (see http://www.navairdevcen.org/nadchistory2a.html), prototype work was approved by mid-April 1945.

The Walker, Amphibious, Quad was originally conceived to deliver HE direct fire against reinforced defensive positions, from a height advantage while using 'walking legs' to override surf and beach obstacles. The prototype was powered by four Packard 3A-2500 V-12 liquid-cooled, gasoline-fueled aircraft engines (one per leg), which created the tactical liability of a very large internal fuel tank.

Primary armament was to be the 105mm howitzer (see http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/manufacturer/m4_105mm/m4_105mm.html) but recoil torque during the first live fire tests buckled one leg and created hydraulic leaks on the other three. After rebuilding the running gear, the Sherman turret was replaced with one from a Stuart Light Tank for trials purposes.

The design was further complicated by the addition of the bow flamethrower and another 500 gallon internal fuel tank.

Field tests indicated that while the overall concept showed promise, the prototype's technical execution was far below par and didn't "bring enough gun to the fight". The Navy also flat-out refused to devote any resources for the intended landing ship.

Brewster tried to sell the Prototype to the Chinese Nationalists, but an overnight fire (thought to be started by leaking hydraulic fluid) in late October 1946 destroyed any hope of forward progress. The hulk was scrapped in situ during the summer of 1947.

WAQ M2A1 as originally conceived.


The WAQ M2A1 was meant to be transported via a modified Landing Craft, Tank (known as a Landing Craft, Utility)
« Last Edit: January 29, 2021, 03:10:48 AM by Story »