Italeri 6446 1/35 GMC DUKW 353 Amphibious Truck 2 1/2 ton US Army Italy 1945, USMC Iwo Jima 1945

This is a plastic model kit, which comes unassembled and unpainted. So glue, model paints and other basic modelling tools are additionally required.

This large triple shaft amphibian vehicle was developed during the 2nd World War for the American armed forces. The aim was to build a vehicle to supply ammunition, food and materials - stored in the holds of transport ships - to invading troops occupying beachheads on enemy soil immediately after landing. The DUKW offered good navigating qualities and could move well off-road too, which, combined with its high load capacity, enabled it to perform its logistic role to the full. In the post-war years, it was widely used by USA's allies all the way through to the 70s, including civil protection assignments.