AFV CLUB AFV35342_V 1/35 Churchill Mk IV AVRE with SBG Bridge

WWII Small Box Girder (SBG) bridge emplaced during the Normandy landings in June 1944 by the 1st Assault Brigade Royal Engineers using modified Churchill AVRE tanks. Weighing 4 tons and rated up to 40 tons loading capacity, the 34ft-long hinged assault bridge proved itself capable of conveying heavy Allied forces vehicles across a 30ft gap (e.g. bomb crater, anti-tank ditch), or up and over a seawall. Another of “Hobart’s Funnies”, innovative tank conversions for deployment on D Day undertaken by the 79th Armoured Division under the command of Major General Percy “Hobo” Hobart. [1885–1957].

New tooling Assault Bridge, A-frame legs, pulleys, steel girder gearbox. Workable cable-drawn Bridge with raise & lower movement. Other detailed parts include petard mortar, armour plates, metal-sprung suspension system. Choice of markings for 5 Assault Bridge Units (ABG).