1/35 Italeri M108 105mm SP Howitzer, WIP, 05/30/11 Finished

Kenny – Thank you…..Gobsmacked…all I can think of

Hercmech – Thanks, I love to do a little vignette with each model. This one was a bit larger to set the scene.

Anthony – Thanks……Tank…call Artillery a Tank….give me his coordinates, its time for a fire mission!

Noah – Thanks for the support on the Tank vs. Artillery. As far as the M108…I did not know you were looking.

I will keep my eyes trained and give you a ring on your secure push next time I spot a target

Thanks again guys

Rounds Complete!!

Calling that a tank is blasphemy!!!!!!!!

I would call it armor but not a tank, that's funny.

I think any vehicle with a mounted gun/weapon system would be defined as armor. The difference would be soft skinned or true armor and certain countries define their weapon systems differently. Even the SPH had a thin armor as did the M113 and kind of fall between what I would call soft and hard armor. It's not only the thickness of the armor but the mission it's designed for that defines what it is. Like I would definitely call Vietnam Gun Trucks armor.

To me a Tank is a vehicle designed to fight against other tanks, kind of like a heavy weight boxer fighting another one, not a middle weight. Which is different then a tank killer or anti tank vehicle, them being more like a middle weight or even lighter in the case of a Mutt with a M40 106mm RR or later with TOW.

IMO put a GPMG on a Jeep and it's armor, it now becomes a combat vehicle. So in essence a combat vehicle is armor whether it's a Humvee or M-88. Maybe I think that way because I was Cav when I was in the Army.

Mike you saw a M108 on ebay for $55 and didn't email me!!!!!!!........ I think that one started off at $55 and ended up at $100.

Great work Mike,nice detailing on the base also.

I still remember argueing with a friend about one of these, that just because it has treads and a turret that it is not a tank !! 

again,nice project.

Came out great I love kits set in dio's even if I never put them in one. Again great job!

Been following this all the way.....I'm "Gobsmacked"...cheers....Kenny

Noah - LOL..... as far as the M108, you just have to keep your eyes open. There was a kit last week that went for about $55.

Sometimes you need patience like a vulture!!

Rounds Complete!!

What do you mean artillerymen don't use slings, I bet the first artillery was a sling, just ask David and Goliath....

It really does look good, ya kind of don't want to take your eyes off of it, like a pretty woman.

I found another M108 on ebay but it's already built....errrrrr.....eventually I will find one for less than $100.

Bill - Thank you so very much.  I may have knowledge but if I had half of your talent I would be twice as good. 

It was great to have you stop in. Hopefully the Treadhead is feeling well these days. All my best.

Thanks again

Rounds Complete!!

Heya Mike :  )

they say 'to be a great writer, write what you know about'.....I think you know where I am going with this analogy .... I follow your stuff.. I just don't write you enough.

metaphorically speaking,

tread :  )

Bill – Thanks, I thought it would be a fitting completion to this build on Memorial Day!

Noah – Thanks for stopping by.

Slings….artillerymen don’t use slings   …..they only get in the way or get caught on the equipment!!  Thanks again.

Kevin – Thank you my friend for the many kind words.

Old….. is a state of mind, I don’t consider myself old, just “certified pre used”     . Like a good pair of boots I’m already broken in 

Rounds Complete!!

Another fine subject and another fine piece of art! A real beauty there Mike!

So... Two thumbs up, a pat on the back, two high fives, a noogie to the noggin and a slap in the *** out to you for schtickin' with this. You did your brothers (and well, the rest of us too!) good by providing some real good step-by-step goodness (as you always do!) with this old bugger!!

(The term "Old Bugger" referres to the kit and is in no way being directed towards or anywheres near you. )

BigDaddyBluesman

Just as I thought your M-16s have NO slings...........Ha Ha......

Get those weapon's slings soldier.......

Na... leave them home... they only got/get 'in the way'.

Just as I thought your M-16s have NO slings...........Ha Ha......

It looks excellent, I'm sure they will be amazed and proud of it. A lot of work and I'm sure a little hard to part with. Very neat, very precise and great attention to detail, except for those weapons....LOL.

Get those weapon's slings soldier.......

Mike,

A fitting way to spend the holiday and up to your usual standards on the various details and composition. Bravo!

Karl - Thanks, I understand what you are saying but for me it is for a good cause. This I hope will bring back good memories for my brothers at the 1/40 FA reunion. That thought helps with the separation pains.

It is like letting a child go, after nurturing them and getting them ready it is time for them to make their mark on the world....in my case, albeit in miniature!

Greg - Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

As for my next item, I am going to go back modern, to the M1200 Armored Knight. This is a specialized version of the M1117 armored car. It is used by artillery forward obsevers to get target observation and send target information. I will be using the Trumpeter kit and a resin conversion for the M1200 from Formations model.

Always something different!

Rounds Complete!!

                                      Another masterpiece of artillery. Kinda gives you the feeling that one could be there. Always looking forward to the next arty installement,any clues or hints?

                                                                 Greg"Detailfreak"Rowley

Like Gino said, Mike--"outstanding!". It really came out fantastically! It's just a beautiful composition and a superb model.

I don't know how you guys can give these away. I wouldn't be able to part with it!

Gunner - Thanks for stopping by and for the comments. I'm hoping they enjoy it!

Rounds Complete!!

Looks great - I'm sure the guys will be honoured with the end result.

UBIQUE

Andy - Thanks for all the love!!  As far as a base, be patient when using ebay and good luck

Gino - Thanks, I hoping it help in bringing back good memories.

Steve - I thought today would be a fitting day to finish this one. Thanks for howling out the comments ....excuse me, I have to go walk now

Thanks guys

Rounds Complete!! 

We're all "drōōly" impressed here Mike.

All around wonderful results and suitably finished on the appropriate day too.

OUTSTANDING!!! The 1-40 FA guys should be duly impressed.  Great job.

L-O-V-I-N-G it!!!  I have been checking eBay for last few days looking for a good Verlinden base.  There's plenty so I hope to score one soon.  Thanks again for doing another great WIP.  It was fun watching this one...

It is fitting that I finish this model for the 1/40 FA on Memorial Day weekend.  To all my FA brothers at from the 1/40, Happy Holiday

Well I was down to details. First I drilled a hole in the chassis and thru the base. Using a furniture screw and nut I secured the M108 in position. To make the tracks look proper on the ground, I coated the underside of the tracks with cell-u-clay tinted with Raw Sienna acrylic. I used the same mix tor “glue” all the details sitting on the ground.

As for the details

·         M16s- Dragon M16 kit, painted Tamiya Flat Black on the plastic areas and Alclad Burnt Exhaust for the metal areas.

·         105mm Ammo Crates – Custom cast resin, custom decals, Poly Scale US Earth Base and coated with Tamiya Buff. After flat coat, dusted with MIG VN Earth pigment.

·         Section Chest – Resin cast, Poly Scale Tac Dk Green, Alclad Steel on hinges and latch, dusted with MIG VN Earth pigment.

·         105mm High Explosive – Resin cast, Alclad Pale Gold casing, Tamiya Dk Copper rotating band, projectile Tamiya OD, PD fuse Alclad Pale Gold, MTSQ Time fuse Tamiya Flat Black, custom decals.

·         105mm WP – Resin cast, same as HE except projectile is a mix of Tamiya Olive and Cockpit Green.

·         Plywood – 1/64” plywood, cut to scale for 4 x 8 sheet, grain enhanced using a Winston Oil Dark Sienna wash, dusted with MIG VN Earth pigment.

·         Bug Juice container – Tamiya, Alclad Steel

·         Gas Cans – Resin Cast, Poly Scale Tac Dk Green, Floquil Bright Oil for spilled diesel stains.

·         105mm Fibers – AFV, Tamiya Flat Black, gloss on the end caps

·         Aiming Posts - .040 styrene rod, Tamiya Flat Red and White

·         50 cal Ammo Cans – AFV, Poly Scale US Med Green, MIG Dark Wash.

·         50 cal Ammo Belt – Academy, Alclad Pale Gold and Tamiya Flat Black

·         M2  50cal – Parkerized finish with a 70/25/5 mix of Tamiya NATO Black, Metallic Grey and JA Green. Handles are Tamiya Flat Black   

So without further waiting, here is the finished M108 of the 1 BN 40 FA form Vietnam

As always thanks for stopping by. Your comments good or bad are always appreciated.

Next up may be the M1200 conversion of the M1117

Remember a vet! Happy Memorial Day

Rounds Complete!!

EOM!!

Terry - Thanks, because of what I like to build, many are the older kits. I don't look at it as older or new, just plastic!!   Once you pass 50, old is an unspoken word

thanks again

Rounds Complete!!

Really brilliant model there Mike, as I always say, I have a lot of admiration for people who will take on and tackle these older kits. Excellent work.

Terry.

Yes the mud of Nam, a subject I have made a personal study of since Nam is the only modeling subject I wish to do, for some odd reason.

I have found now 4 different colors of VN earth. It was 3 but now it's four.

It depends were you are, what time of the year it is and what time of the day it is. The afternoon sun will dry it really fast and then it's a tan color. It could start off red and in a few hours it's a chalky tan. But if it's raining it will have a few different colors in there.

I'm trying to get a 3 tone mud on my M48, the normal reddish color and the fully dry color and the color it gets as it dries. It seems to turn into a fine powder that probably got into everything. In certain parts of the country the earth is not muddy but almost clay, it looks like it must have a lot of ferrous oxide in it. That is a vibrant reddish brown color that is actually very beautiful except on your roadwheels........unless it's a model and not for real.

I have cleaned armored vehicles, it's not fun.

Oh I forgot there is also the beach sand so that makes 5.

Jose - Thanks. A color like VN earth is difficult due to the sharp contrast to the OD Green. I love a challange!!

Thanks again

Rounds Complete!!

A really rare subject, not often seen in modelling contest or magazines .... but I do not know why!!!! ... it´s really nice!! ... you did a good work, it´s not easy to deal with that earth color ...

Kevin - Where did you get my picture.....as you can see I am quite handsome!!

Thanks for the fly by.....always appreciate your comments and expecially your humor!!

Rounds Complete!!