Zok - thanks for checking in.  Glad you like it.

Wow, a monster of a model, and always a pleasure watching the understated clean look. Love it.

terry35 and Hercmech - thanks for the compliments.  It was a fun build.

Great looking build!

Super cool.

Terry.

This is a blast from the past.  Thanks for the compliment Straightjacket.  I really enjoyed this build.  I'm sure yours will come out just as good.  Good luck on it.

This is awesome!!!  I found this site/post while looking for ideas for this exact model, truck & gun, that I started working on a few weeks ago.  Your detail is absolutely amazing. I am a former Marine from 10th Marines (Artillery) , Camp Lejeune, NC. so this piece brings back some great memories. 

Im just a beginner at modeling so if I can get mine to look half as good as this I will be more than pleased. Again Great Work!

It was pointed out by a friend that I missed something on the gun.  Usually, the half of the barrel that retracts into the cradle is left unpainted and is greased to keep it moving smoothly.  I forgot to do this as well.  I guess that's what I get for rushing to finish it.  I have since corrected it.

So I went ahead and fixed the barrel.  I painted the area just behind where the step in the barrel is back to where it enters the cradle gun metal.  Then I took a piece of t-shirt cloth and buffed it up a little when it was dry.  Below are the results.

Now I officially declared it as done.

Thanks goys.  Glad you like it.  Thanks for teh welcome back too.

Zok,  take a look at the Photobucket links in the first post.  There are some  close ups there.

Gino- Nice to have you back(safe and sound), and what a way to return! It looks really great can only echo others remarks.

-Stephen

Wow, excellent work. Great to see this one finally finished up, after so long of a break. Wish you could get some close-up shots.

Those wheels look to be an immense improvement over the lousy Italeri kit parts.

Thanks guys, glad you like it.

Yup, C-Rats ham and mothers, with pound cake, MMMMMMMMM!

Well what can I add to what everyone else has already said but,

WOW!

I too really love the storage, it really brings the model to life.

Gino....holy that looks AWSOME!  I love it.

Bob

Thanks Mike.  MMM MREs!!!!

HeavyArty

O.K., since Redleg caught me, I had to go back and add the powder cans, MRE boxes, and a couple water boxes.  Here is with the new loadplan.

Thanks for catching it Mike.

Ahhhhh....much better.....I feel the sand and smell the muzzle blast. ......Looks more like a basic load!!

Can not shoot without powder.....can not fight without MREs.....yummmmm

Rounds Complete!!

It's really good....

O.K., since Redleg caught me, I had to go back and add the powder cans, MRE boxes, and a couple water boxes.  Here is with the new loadplan.

Thanks for catching it Mike.

Thanks for the comments by all.  Glad you like it.

Mike:  You got me.  I noticed after I snapped the pics that I had left the powder cans, MRE and water boxes in a box holding all the bits and pieces that I had put on a shelf.  Load plan has been adjusted.  The guard on the M198 may be a little too far forward.  I went by the placement shown by Airmodel.  Oh well, lets just say it slid out of battery on the crew.  Thanks for looking in on it and keeping me straight.

Very nicely done sir!

Looks absolutely amazing!!!!  Well done!

Brian

Outstanding work on this one Gino, can only echo the comments that the others have made regarding the detail work you've put into this one.

HeavyArty

Thanks guys.  It was a fun build. 

Doog, the inner fender is made out of this foil from the top of a wine bottle.  Its always good to have a nice bottle of wine while modeling.  I recommend a good Merlot for armor.  It can get interesting after a few glasses though.

I must confess that I just appropriated some from a nice bottle of strawberry champagne that she got, cheap...lol. My favorite though, would be a good "Rioja" from Spain. MMMMM!

Again; awesome work here!

Gino

A super addition to the battalion motor pool. Nice details....love the aiming posts (red and white poles for the non-artillery people). The projos with packing look great and the fuze crates are right on. I did not see any but presume powder cans are under the bench. The only thing missing is empty water bottles, an MRE pack and the always popular black garbage bag!!

Quick question...the screen cover on the M198 seems to be a bit.....forward of where it should be. Am I seeing it wrong???

The tube looks great. The brakes and other details make it a winner! Yes the resin curse hits all of us....If you build it it will come....in styrene!

Glad to see you at the bench again and looking forward to a battery coming from you next year!

The brother from another mother!!

Rounds Complete!!

Looks brilliant Gino, that Howitzer must be some size. Congrats on getting the job finished.

Terry.

Thanks guys.  It was a fun build. 

Doog, the inner fender is made out of foil from the top of a wine bottle.  Its always good to have a nice bottle of wine while modeling.  I recommend a good Merlot for armor.  It can get interesting after a few glasses though.

THat's sick Gino! It looks real!

Wow...stunning details executed masterfully! The Photobucket links really need to be seen to appreciate the improvements you made. Great work Gino

Cheers

Holy CRAP, Gino! That is one SERIOUS model! Outstanding attention to detail and beautiful paint!

I like how you used aluminum or something like it under the wheel wells. Lotsa cool parts on here too, from what I could see.

Really something to look at! You never disappoint!