Empress Miniatures New “Thing”- M50 Ontos
September 18, 2019 by avernos
Empress Miniatures have been firing out new Vietnamese releases like a Rifle, Multiple 106 mm, Self-propelled, M50!
Nicknamed the Ontos, which is literally Greek for thing, it was developed as a lightweight tank destroyer that could be lifted by the US armies cargo planes. But the Army cancelled the project.
Thankfully the Marines saw the value in six recoilless 105 mm rifles and the reports from in-country engagements were excellent. It saw service throughout the Vietnam conflict finally being withdrawn from service in 1969.
Empress Miniatures have once again released another beautiful and unique kit and I can see a lot of US Marine players investing in this and probably a lot more of the ever-expanding range that Paul Hicks is sculpting for them.
Is the Ontos your kind of Thing?
"...the Marines saw the value in six recoilless 105mm rifles"
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I’ve no interest in ‘Nam, but do enjoy seeing the Paul Hicks’ goodness! Though add a couple of Aquilas and you would have a nice Guard vehicle!
Ah, the Ontos. Always great to see more Vietnam and especially USMC history featured, and the miniature looks great and would fit in perfectly with Hue City wargames. 😀 As far as this vehicle’s overall battlefield record goes, though … when the Marine Corps sets a piece of equipment aside, that should tell you all you need to know. 🙁
I imagine the Ontos was set aside because they found a better way of doing the same job. I can’t see the Marine Corps abandoning something unless it was no longer fit for purpose. What’s the phrase, Marines make do?
@avernos – It was a great stopgap for the time. And it’s an important vehicle historically speaking, especially for Marines in I Corps, battles in Phu Bai, Quang Tri, and especially Hue City in early- and mid-Vietnam. And again, the miniature looks great.
I just feel like I should be careful because a lot of what I’ve been saying on the site lately seems to be misconstrued or misunderstood. If I’m saying the vehicle wasn’t the best historically, I’m not saying the miniature isn’t good.
The vehicle had tissue-thin armor that could be penetrated by really anything, definitely heavier VC / NVA weapons like PKM MGs and up. A DShK would core this thing like an apple, much less an RPG / B40. Perhaps worse, note you have to GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE to re-load those recoilless rifles. So you get one salvo and have with withdraw under cover, leaving your infantry without support (outside that .50). And RRs aren’t the best at taking out tanks (range is way too short) and doesn’t have the best HE punch for house clearing (hence the six guns).
What replaced it? More M48A3 tanks, and more APCs with more MGs.
But hell, yeah … I can tell you personally the Marines will use something until it literally falls apart in their hands. In Vietnam they were still using M48A3s when the Army had transitioned to the M60 series. They used the C/H34 Sea Horse longer than most. They were some of the last units to trade in the M-14 battle rifle for the M-16 assault rifle. We were still using M60A1s (albeit with ERA) in 1991 Gulf One, while the Army was already past the M1 and deep into the M1A1. Hell, they’re STILL using the AH-1 Supercobra, while the Army’s beein using the AH-64 Apache for 30+ years.
So yeah, if the Marines set it aside (and they did in 69, as you write), it wasn’t the best.
Then again, in Poland you have to use terrible PzKpfw Is and IIs. In the Desert you have to use the A15 Crusader. Historically, the M50 Ontos is an important and iconic vehicle you should really have if you’re serious about a USMC Marine Corps Vietnam collection. I would totally get this myself if I collected in 28mm. 😀 *(I’m assuming it’s 28mm??)
cheers for the information, the internet can be a pain for misunderstandings but I’m right there with you.
I suppose the flaws you mention are the reason the US Army canned it in the first place, and it’s effectiveness was therefore very reliant on the engagement in question.
Woah! I’ve never heard of this thing before; I really like it! Makes me wonder if they’d consider releasing other experimental weapon minis.
200 saw service with the marines before they gave it up as a bad job and moved on. Empress have a tendency to make things that may not see release with other manufacturers so it’s always a possibility.
You did ask for more guns.?
That is very nice.
Once again proof that real world history can be pretty crazy/fantastic too …
Orks would love this stuff, because more dakka is good dakka.
So I’ve been thinking about adding this one or a couple of them to my Vietnam Collection, but don’t see a scale listed.
I went to Empress’ web site and I didn’t find it there either. I guess I’ll pass for now.
Love it. Hoping to see more Nam stuff be released.