Artitec 6870249 U.S. M88 ARV MERDC Train Load viewed from above with lowered recovery boom

US M88 ARV MERDC Train Load

$61.95
Sale price  $61.95 Regular price 
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Artitec 6870249 U.S. M88 ARV MERDC Train Load viewed from above with lowered recovery boom

US M88 ARV MERDC Train Load

$61.95
Sale price  $61.95 Regular price 
Model Details
Manufacturer Artitec
Article Number 6870249
Product Release Year 2019
Scale 1:87 HO Scale
Build Type Ready-Made
Dimensions L: 3.7 in · W: 1.5 in · H: 1.5 in
Historical & Vehicle Details
Country United States
Military Branch U.S. Army
Era Cold War
Vehicle Type Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV)
Vehicle Family M88
Paint Scheme MERDC Four-Color Camouflage
Train Load Yes
Collector model. Not a toy. Recommended for ages 18+
Discontinued by Manufacturer

This item is no longer being produced by the manufacturer.

Model Overview

This ready-made Artitec model reproduces a U.S. Army M88 armored recovery vehicle prepared for railway transport in a heavily weathered MERDC camouflage scheme. Its multicolor finish combines green, beige, brown, and black areas with realistic fading, grime, rust, and operational wear across the hull, recovery equipment, tracks, and running gear.

The train-load configuration is recreated with the elaborate A-frame lifting boom lowered and secured over the vehicle, together with detailed cables, chains, towing equipment, side-mounted tools, spare track components, and a large front-mounted recovery spade. Additional details include roof hatches, spare road wheels, lifting fixtures, transport markings, and extensive weathering that gives the model an authentic field-service appearance.

  • Ready-Made 1:87 HO scale Artitec model
  • U.S. Army M88 armored recovery vehicle
  • Train-load configuration with lowered and secured recovery boom
  • MERDC four-color camouflage with extensive weathering
  • Detailed A-frame recovery boom with cables, chains, and lifting equipment
  • Large front-mounted recovery spade for stabilization and vehicle recovery
  • Side-mounted tools, spare road wheels, towing gear, and recovery equipment
  • Realistic dust, rust, grime, paint wear, and weathered running gear
  • Suitable for Cold War U.S. Army military trains, rail yards, layouts, displays, and dioramas
Vehicle History

The M88 is a fully tracked armored recovery vehicle designed to support damaged or immobilized tanks and other heavy tracked combat vehicles. Its recovery role includes towing, winching, and hoisting operations, allowing its crew to recover vehicles and provide maintenance assistance close to the battlefield.

The vehicle’s prominent recovery equipment includes an A-frame lifting boom, powerful winching equipment, towing hardware, and a front spade that stabilizes the vehicle during demanding recovery work. For railway transportation, the lifting boom is lowered and secured across the vehicle to reduce its overall transport profile. This model depicts the M88 in the U.S. Army’s MERDC four-color camouflage system.

About Artitec Ready-Made Models

Artitec's Ready-Made models are handcrafted from high-quality resin and produced in limited runs. Each model is expertly preassembled, hand-painted, and often subtly weathered to recreate the appearance of a real vehicle in use. Because every model is finished by hand, small variations may occur, making each piece unique.

Artitec uses vacuum-cast resin to reproduce exceptionally fine, true-to-scale details that can be difficult to achieve with conventional manufacturing methods. Etched-brass parts are added where appropriate to capture delicate components and further enhance realism.

Each model is assembled, painted, and weathered by skilled specialists—a process requiring considerable time, precision, and experience. Artitec Ready-Made models are ideal for collectors seeking exceptional detail and realism without the time and effort required to build and finish a model kit.