Artitec US Sheridan M551 MERDC 6870638 – 1:87 HO Scale Model

US M551 Sheridan MERDC (6870638)

$61.95
Sale price  $61.95 Regular price 
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Artitec US Sheridan M551 MERDC 6870638 – 1:87 HO Scale Model

US M551 Sheridan MERDC (6870638)

$61.95
Sale price  $61.95 Regular price 
Model Details
Manufacturer Artitec
Article Number 6870638
Scale 1:87 HO Scale
Build Type Ready-Made
Dimensions L: 2.9 in · W: 1.3 in · H: 1.4 in
Historical & Vehicle Details
Country United States
Military Branch U.S. Army
Era Cold War
Vehicle Type Light Tank
Vehicle Family Sheridan
Paint Scheme MERDC Four-Color Camouflage
Collector model. Not a toy. Recommended for ages 16+
Model Overview

A Ready-Made 1:87 / HO scale Artitec US Sheridan M551 MERDC in a distinctive late Cold War four-color camouflage finish. This highly detailed model depicts the U.S. Army’s lightweight armored reconnaissance and airborne assault vehicle in a field-service configuration suitable for armored cavalry scenes, training displays, and Cold War dioramas.

The model features the Sheridan’s low-profile hull, compact turret, 152 mm gun-launcher, shielded turret-mounted machine gun, smoke grenade launchers, tall antenna, and prominent searchlight housing beside the main armament. Packs, equipment bags, storage containers, and a fuel can add a convincing operational appearance, while subtle dust, grime, fading, and wear highlight the running gear, tracks, hull panels, and turret details.

  • Ready-Made 1:87 / HO scale Artitec model
  • U.S. Army M551 Sheridan light tank in MERDC four-color camouflage
  • Green, tan, brown, and dark disruptive camouflage with realistic dust, grime, fading, and wear effects
  • Detailed turret with 152 mm gun-launcher, shielded machine gun, smoke grenade launchers, hatches, and searchlight housing
  • Operational stowage including packs, equipment bags, storage containers, and a fuel can
  • Small U.S. Army, cavalry, and vehicle markings add to the authentic Cold War appearance
  • Fine exterior details including hull panels, engine-deck grilles, tools, lifting points, tow fittings, road wheels, and weathered tracks
  • Hand-painted, collector-quality Artitec model made from resin with etched-metal detail parts
  • Suitable for military collectors, HO-scale layouts, vehicle displays, Cold War scenes, and dioramas
Vehicle History

The M551 Sheridan was officially classified as an Armored Reconnaissance/Airborne Assault Vehicle, although it was commonly regarded as a light tank. Developed for airborne and reconnaissance forces, it combined a lightweight aluminum-alloy hull with the ability to be transported by air and cross water obstacles. The Sheridan entered U.S. Army service in 1967 and carried a crew of four.

Its primary weapon was the M81 152 mm gun-launcher, which could fire conventional ammunition as well as the MGM-51 Shillelagh guided missile. Secondary armament included a coaxial machine gun and a turret-mounted .50 caliber machine gun. The combination gave the compact vehicle substantial direct-fire capability, although its light protection and complex weapons system created operational limitations.

After its combat debut in Vietnam, the Sheridan continued serving with U.S. Army units in Europe, South Korea, and the United States. The Army began withdrawing it from many conventional units near the end of the 1970s, while selected airborne, National Guard, and training formations retained the vehicle for considerably longer.

The Mobility Equipment Research and Development Center camouflage system, commonly called MERDC, was introduced during the 1970s. It used vehicle-specific disruptive patterns combining four colors selected for the expected operating environment. The system gave U.S. Army vehicles their characteristic multicolor Cold War appearance before the later adoption of standardized NATO three-color camouflage.

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 service. 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.