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Vision M1A1 75mm Pack, WIP, 1/31/10, Complete

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Vision M1A1 75mm Pack, WIP, 1/31/10, Complete
Posted by redleg12 on Sunday, January 24, 2010 7:31 AM

Off onto a new “fire mission”! This will be the M1A1 75mm pack howitzer, the little gun that did. For this build I will use the new Vision M1A1 kit along with the old Verlinden 75mm ammunition set for the M8 and the M1A1 pack.

Orejohn was kind enough to send me a copy of a family photo, taken during Operation Market Garden. You can see the gliders in the background. I will be using this as the concept of my build.

The kit is straight forward and consists of one full sprue and a small sprue.  Also included is a metal end for the barrel. The instructions are simple line drawings with some written explanation. Also included is a color photo sheet of a M1A1 up close with some details.

Step one is the assembly of the barrel and recoil assembly. There is a choice of two sights, one if the tube is elevated and the other if the tube is down. I will leave the sights along with the block off for now. Here is the assembled barrel

Step 2 is the assembly of the rear section of the carriage which includes the spade. Some of the parts in this assembly have some bad ejector pin marks which best worked on prior to assembly. With the pin marks sealed, here is the rear section.

Step three is for a post WWII modification which I will skip and steps 4 & 5 assemble the front carriage and mate it to the rear section. Here again there are the ejector pin marks which needed to be filled first. With the filling done here is the lower carriage.

Step six assembles the axel and wheels. I have left the wheels off for painting, but here are the major assemblies.

In general the kit is a great little kit and in many ways an improvement on many of the resin copies. There are two sets of wheels, either military tread or civilian tread, both were used in WWII. The kit also comes with ammunition but no crates or fiber cans. That is where the Verlinden set is a must. There is also a resin set now out to convert the kit to British airborne and has airdrop containers both US and British.

The draw back is the molding which reminds me of Renwal from the 70s. The kit is detailed but pin marks and lots of little flash. Even the plastic is much like the old kits, harder and a bit more brittle.

Time for DETAILS…now you did not think I would go OOB!

Many parts on the 1 to 1 scale barrel and recoil assembly were cast. With that in mind, I set out to texture all those parts on the model with Mr. Surfacer 500. This is mostly the upper barrel shield and the lower recoil assembly.

The carriage frames on the 1 to 1 were essentially two C channels welded together to form a box. The front part of the carriage boxes has the equilibrators inside the box which are molded in on the kit. To get the weld bead on the model, I used Archer small weld bead. In the case of the model it solved two problems, putting the weld bead on and coving the seam on the forward halves

The kit has a molded on the side data plate but the only detail is the outside ring. The actual data plate is a raised oval plate. To create the proper effect, I filled the ring with Mr. Surfacer Liquid Putty. This created the proper raised surface plate.

The stub for the metal barrel which comes with the kit is just a small section of brass tube. To improve the barrel, I added PE rifling inside the barrel. The rifling is from an old OOP PE rifling set from On the Mark Models I picked up on e-bay. It comes in handy for these situations.

The breech is fairly well made and detailed except for one problem. It is one piece both breech and block and is molded in the closed position. But there is a hole right through the block like it was open. To correct this problem, I punched a disc from styrene sheet and fit it to the hole. Fortunately the real deal has a round cover plate on the block which accesses the hammer mechanism, so this fix also adds to the block detail.

Next up will be priming, painting and then final assembly. This little guy should go fast. I will be in the spray booth but should have assembled pictures next update.

As always, all you comments are always appreciated. Thanks for stopping in

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Sunday, January 24, 2010 7:46 AM

That was a quick shift-to-fire-time. Must be a planned target. Good job so far. I built the old S-Model resin one a few years ago. This one look much better. Keep up the fire!!

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Bridgeview, Illinois
Posted by mg.mikael on Sunday, January 24, 2010 9:24 AM

This kit is sure building up quickly, nevertheless it looks great so far! Will definately be following to see how this one turns out.Cool

"A good plan executed now is better than a perfect plan next week." - George S. Patton

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Sunday, January 24, 2010 10:41 AM

Gino - As an artilleryman, all my build targets are planned!!! Yep needed a little quick build after the M40. I have a resin copy also on the shelf. The detail on this kit is a bit more crisp than the resin versions.

Thanks for stopping in!!.

MG - Thanks for stopping by. This little guy builds fast and is great for a quick build!!

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Sunday, January 24, 2010 11:01 AM

Nice work on the little gun there Mike, the Archer weld beads and other details/fixes you've been adding are up to your usual standard of attention to detail! Looking forward to seeing this one get emplaced and ready for action. Yes

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Sunday, January 24, 2010 11:20 AM

Bill - Thanks...Details....I would not have it any other way....even with the little guy!!

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Poland
Posted by Pawel on Monday, January 25, 2010 2:48 AM

Howdy redleg,

glad to see you modelling. And the way it's done - it's a pleasure to see you building the model like telling a story and you really know what you are talking about. Keep 'em coming and have a nice day

Pawel

All comments and critique welcomed. Thanks for your honest opinions!

www.vietnam.net.pl

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Monday, January 25, 2010 5:22 AM

Pawel - Thanks for the comments. Glad you enjoy the work in progress builds.

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Eagle River, WI
Posted by PANZERJAGER on Monday, January 25, 2010 9:12 AM

I figured it wouldn't be long before you tackled this little guy, Redleg!

She looks good so far.

Thanks again for the advice on mine.

Cant wait ta see the final result!

I'll keep the radio ready for your first fire mission...

Tom F.

 PANZERJAGER

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Monday, January 25, 2010 12:51 PM

Big or small...the hope is one day to have built them all!!!!

Thanks for stopping by and staying in the loop

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: S.W. Missouri
Posted by Pvt Mutt on Monday, January 25, 2010 12:59 PM

I'm keeping an eye on this Mike because I see them on the Military Channel a lot.Cool

Tony Lee

Shoot Low Boys They're Ridin Ponys

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: N.H.
Posted by panzerguy on Monday, January 25, 2010 4:23 PM

  Mike looking good. Your extra work always makes your builds shine and this one is no exception.

 So will this guy be known  as 'Little Bruiser'Wink

"Happiness is a belt fed weapon"

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 5:19 AM

Tony - This little guy is on almost every army post. Check at the post flagpole.....it usaully gets to fire twice a day!! I have a resin copy of the 75mm.....at some point I am going to model the flagpole!

Thanks for stopping in.

Steve - Hummm...how about "cajones"......"little thunder".....bruiser just does not fit Confused.

Thanks for making the stop. You know me....I love details!!!!

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Sydney, Australia
Posted by Phil_H on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 5:33 AM

Hey Mike,

This little guy looks amazing with your usual attention to detail. 

Somewhere in the stash I have the old Tamiya white metal kit.. Propeller.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 10:16 AM

Phil - Thanks

The good part about this kit is you don't have to deal with the metal assembly. I am sure most resin kits are copies...somewhat....of the Tamiya kit. It would be interesting to build this kit alonside s s *report me* good resin kit and the old Tamiya kit and note the differences!!

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: Massachusetts
Posted by minimortar on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 7:38 AM

Howdy Mike,

I too will be watching this build... as I do with all of your builds! I have also built the Tamiya metal kit and I have converted the Roy Models kit into the M98 HOWTAR and it will be intersting to see the comparisions to Vision's kit.

http://www.mortarsinminiature.com/USM98.htm (about half-way down if needed.)

As usual, lovin' every step of the way!

Thanks,
Kevin Keefe

Mortars in Miniature
A Scale Model (Plus!) Collection of the Infantryman's Artillery

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Eugene, Oregon
Posted by hughes2682 on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 1:44 PM

I'm glad to follow this one.  Your builds are always a joy to follow though,  sometimes painful. That is in reference to the tracks on your M40.  I don't mean to bring up any PTSD around it but that was painful to see.

Anywho, the detail on this one looks exquisite, not to mention what you've added.

Cheers

Dave

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Aaronw/Groupbuilds/ClassicAviationGB2010bomb.jpg

With enough thrust, pigs fly just fine.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 4:57 PM

Kevin - HOLY EXCREMENT.....It's great to see you.....Love the M98 conversion....neat toy. Thanks for stopping in and the comments. Always a pleasure to see your stuff and to have you "hang a round" Wink

Dave - Yep...I am still recovering PTTSD....Post Track ....Syndrome. Stuff happens. This build is relitivly painless. Busy at work this week but hoping to finish up this weekend!!

The kit detail is nice. The good thing is on the small size, the details are not muted like some of the resin copies.

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Sunday, January 31, 2010 7:55 PM

This was a tough week but I was able to get the work completed on the weekend.

After priming with Tamiya Flat Black, the main parts of the model were painted with PolyScale OD 505370. Tires are 50/50 Tamiya Flat Black and NATO Black. Breech is Alclad Steel and the block is Alclad Aluminum.

I prepared a simple base with the dug out for the spade. Then it was time for the details.  The ammo crates are painted with Tamiya Dark Yellow with the handles Flat Black, Flat White on the side supports, and Alclad Aluminum for the hardware finished with custom lot markings for the sides. The ammunition fibers are painted with Tamiya Flat Black.

Dunnage….the empty shell casings are painted with Alclad Pale Gold. The inside of the casings were painted with Tamiya Flat Black.

After the crates were glued in place I made a tarp with aircraft tissue soaked in landscape cement and laid in place. After shaping and drying, the tarp was painted with Vallejo Olive Drab. After the paint dried the tarp was weathered with MIG pigments Dry Mud, and Old Rust.

The prepared ammunition was painted with Alclad Pale Gold for the casing, Tamiya OD for the shell and Alclad Burnt Magnesium for the fuse. The ramming staff is Tamiya OD and the bore brush is Tamiya Flat Black, while the eyebolt and brush holder is Alclad Steel.

Also at this point the howitzer has been weathered with a pin wash MIG Wash for Dark Green and then MIG pigments Dry Mud and Old Rust.

Lastly….the lanyard (PSGGB)….using ship builder’s waxed string painted with Tamiya OD. The end ball fabricated from styrene rod.

With all that here it is the finished M1A1 75mm pack howitzer.

As always, all you comments are always appreciated. Thanks for stopping in

Up next M752 Lance Missile Launcher….all resin kit!

Rounds Complete!!

EOM

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Goffstown, NH
Posted by New Hampshire on Sunday, January 31, 2010 8:06 PM

She is an absolute beauty Redleg!  I am always happy to see your arty builds to break up all the armor builds from time to time.  Great job!

Brian

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Sunday, January 31, 2010 8:35 PM

Brian - Thanks.....shhhhh don't anger the tread heads!!  Big Smile

Wayne - Thanks good buddy......love my details and love my artillery. Thanks again

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: S.W. Missouri
Posted by Pvt Mutt on Sunday, January 31, 2010 10:07 PM

I've already jumped on this over there across the street but it's worth a second look.YesCool

Boy it still looks GREAT

Tony LeeSmile

Shoot Low Boys They're Ridin Ponys

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Monday, February 1, 2010 9:22 AM

Nice work on this one Mike, up to your usual standard in regards to the boom-thingies! Wink Yes

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Monday, February 1, 2010 1:00 PM

Nice little project there, Mike!

Nice attention to details--once again! Wink

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: N.H.
Posted by panzerguy on Monday, February 1, 2010 1:34 PM

 

 

Mike great job buddyToast. Once agian you've done us 13 Bravos proud!

"Happiness is a belt fed weapon"

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Monday, February 1, 2010 1:44 PM

Mike that looks really great.  Nice detail.

Marc  

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Monday, February 1, 2010 3:13 PM

Tony – Thanks for checking the entire block!! Whistling

Bill – Thanks…..always trying to keep rounds going downrange!! Wink

Karl – Thanks, it is a nice quick little build!!

Steve – Thanks, just trying to make my way around the Ft Sill museum Big Smile

Marc – Thanks, no matter how small, I love my details Wink

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    January 2012
Posted by I make stuff on Monday, February 1, 2010 3:47 PM

Redleg,

Another very nice build with all the touches that make it come to life.  I like the base, too. Thanks for sharing.

Bill

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Monday, February 1, 2010 6:53 PM

Another great piece Mike.  I'll be standing by to hear it at revilee tomorrow.  Hoooaaahhh!!!

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 5:34 AM

Bill - Thanks, especially on the base....nothing fancy just lending to the overall view!!

Gino - Thanks.....wait.....I hear the music now!!! Thanks for the saluteWink

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

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