Tamiya 35244 – 1/35 M26 Armored Tank Recovery Vehicle

The Tamiya 35244 – 1/35 M26 Armored Tank Recovery Vehicle “Dragon Wagon” is an exceptional scale plastic model kit, originally released in 2000 and reissued with new tooling. It faithfully represents the robust Allied M26 recovery vehicle, which played a vital role in tank salvage operations during World War II and beyond.

Kit Highlights

• Scale & Design
• 1/35 scale, measuring approximately 225 mm long × 106 mm wide, capturing the M26’s bulky armored cab and rugged frame.
• Slide-Molded Cabin
• The cab is crafted as a single, highly detailed slide-molded piece. Hatch doors for the armor protection can be built open or closed.
• Towing Gear & Crane
• Includes realistic twin winches, boom-mounted crane, supporting A‑arm assembly with five angle settings, and a selection of pipes and chains rendered in metal.
• Detailed Accessories
• Features intricately molded details such as a working vice, welding kit, realistic rubber‑tread tires, photo-etched parts, metal piping, and operational chrome light lenses.
• Figures & Decals
• Comes with four crew figures (two command-seat and two standing), plus six decal schemes for U.S. Army units and Japanese Self-Defense Force versions.

Build & Historical Context

This kit provides a sturdy and authentic build, featuring a heavy, armored look that reflects the real M26’s salvage duties during operations in Italy and post-D-Day Europe. Military modelers praise its balance of detail and playability.

Final Verdict

Tamiya’s M26 “Dragon Wagon” is a top-tier vehicle kit—robust engineering, operational crane and winches, metal detail parts, and realistic figures make it a standout in the recovery-vehicle category. Whether displayed alone or towing a disabled Sherman, it’s an outstanding addition for any 1/35 WWII collection.