1/72 USAAF 8th Air Force Bomber Resupply Set, Airfix, A06304

Plastic kit with decals.

As US bomber operations began to take place at airfields all over Southern England from the summer of 1942, the vehicles used in servicing their Liberators and Flying Fortresses were slowly changing from the standard RAF support vehicles, to specialised US Air Force equipment.  From fuel trailers to bomb trolleys, Bedfords were quickly being replaced by Chevrolets.  

Autocar U-7144-T 4X4 tractor unit and F-1 fuel trailer. The U-7144-T was used extensively by the US military from 1942 onwards and was certainly found on most, if not all USAAF airfields in Britain, particularly in conjunction with the standard F-1 fuel trailer. With many aircraft requiring refuelling on a daily basis, it was usual for each base to have numerous examples of the U-7144-T available at any one time.

Chevrolet M6 bomb service truck. This utility 4X4 truck was capable of carrying a small number of bombs in its own right, but was more commonly used in conjunction with the M5 bomb trailer. Indeed, it was capable of towing up to five fully loaded M5 bomb trailers, which was just as well considering the number of missions USAAF bomber crews were required to undertake. The new set will also include the M5 bomb trailer.

Cushman Model 39 Package Car. This light, three wheeled utility vehicle will have been used for a multitude of light duties on USAAF bases. A development of a motor scooter design, the single wheel at the back provided the power for the vehicle, which allowed a small cargo box to be fitted at the front. Again, the Cushman would have been a regular feature on a USAAF airfield.

Cushman Model 39 Package Car: length 34mm, width 17mm
Chevrolet M6 Bomb Service Truck: length 74mm, width 25mm
M5 Bomb Trailer: length 77mm, width 33mm
Autocar U-7144-T 4x4 Tractor Unit: length 72mm, width 33mm
F-1 Fuel Trailer: length 129mm, width 36mm