Early in June 1944, Army commanders expressed a need for a new breed of tank that could mount either a 90mm or 105mm main gun. This request was approved by the Army Staff soon thereafter even though trials of the new T26E1 had already begun back at Fort Knox earlier that year. Unfortunately, the first limited run of procurement vehicles did not occur until December 1944, largely due to in-fighting among the Army brass who were unsure which gun to use. The first twenty T26E3s were finally shipped out to the ETO in January 1945, with some seeing action in western Germany the following month. Full production of the heavy tank began in March 1945 when it proved itself time and again against some of the more formidable German tanks fielded by the Wehrmacht. At the same time the tank was redesignated the M26 Pershing, in honor of WWI General 'Black Jack' Pershing. Total wartime production of the M26 reached 1,436 vehicles with a further 992 tanks produced in late 1945.

This particular 1:72 scale tank was attached to the US Marine Corps' B Company, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, then participating in the counterattack at Inchon, Korea, during September 1950. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 4-inches
Width: 1-1/2-inches

Release Date: Dececmber 2007

Historical Account: "Chromite" - The Battle of Inchon (code name: Operation Chromite) was a decisive invasion and battle during the Korean War. The battle began on September 15, 1950, and ended around September 28th. During the amphibious operation, United Nations (UN) forces secured Inchon, and broke out of the Pusan region through a series of landings in enemy territory. The vast majority of UN ground forces were composed of U.S. Marines, commanded by U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur. The Battle of Inchon ended a string of victories by the invading North Korean People's Army (NKPA) and began a counterattack by United Nations forces that led to the recapture of Seoul.

The advance north ended near the Yalu River, when China's People's Volunteer Army entered the conflict by deploying thousands of fresh Chinese troops in support of North Korea, overrunning UN forces along the Ch'ongch'on River and forcing a withdrawal after the Battle of Chosin Reservoir to South Korea.