William's Amphibious Vehicle is a never-realized, World War II-era American amphibious armored vehicle design that was developed in late 1942. The author of this vehicle was U.S. Army Colonel Allison Ridley Williams, who became known as an inventor and author of at least several patents related to electric braking and steering systems as early as the 1930s. William's Amphibious Vehicle was developed for wetland, maritime combat carried out during amphibious operations. Undoubtedly, the concept of the vehicle is very innovative. This is because it assumed the placement of the entire crew in a rotating turret, which housed the main armament and the guidance system, as well as a very small hull with four large balloon-shaped wheels, allowing it to swim, wade and move on land. What's more, propulsion was to be provided by de facto 4, independent engines - one for each wheel. It is difficult to say unequivocally what would have been the usefulness of William's Amphibious Vehicle on the battlefield - one can only speculate whether it would have proved a valuable reinforcement of USMC units in the course of fighting in the Pacific. What is certain, however, is that it never progressed beyond the design stage.
Scale 1:72
One model
