M3 Scout Car

The M3 Scout Car was a light armoured vehicle, used by the Allied armies since 1940, mainly for reconaissance, ferrying troops or as a light gun tractor. Its open top and thin armour made it unsuitable for fighting with enemy's armour; however, high top speed (~90 kph), low, compact silhouette and reliable mechanisms gave it perfect scout capabilities, allowing it to be used far in front of its own troops, looking for enemy's positions.

The Red Army used these cars under the Lend-Lease Act since 1942, with some 3.000 M3s being delivered via naval and land routes. Some also made their way to the People's Army of Poland (Polish Armed Forces in the West used them as well). The Scout Car became an influence for the post-war Soviet APC, the BTR-40, and therefore somewhat became the predecessor of all Soviet APCs (the Red Army used almost no such vehicles during the war; troops were ferried around with trucks).

This particular example was used during the Battle of Poznan reenactement, and before it started it stood in Armament Museum for some time. Next to it is an American Harley-Davidson WLA motorcycle, also used by the Soviets and PAP during the war.