We need a new M109 series of kits

What I will say is I am here at AMPS 2011 and have seen the AFV 105 kit. I have the Dragon kit. It will be on sebay ASAP. The AFV kit makes the Dragon kit look like it crap. The AFV kit id FAR superior to the Dragon kit IMO. The details are better and the construction of the kit is better.

I know that is hard for all the Gemaholics to believe but don't waste your money on Dragon....buy the AFV kit

Rounds Complete!!

Yes Exactly like those M1's Gino.....

Must be having brain fade yesterday...
I meant if only Dragon/AFV/HobbyBoss would release a new 155mm like Dragon/AFV have with the M1

Jon_a_its

Now all we need is an update ile on the M1 105mm

You mean like these?

".....the Peerless/Max M1A2 155 towed howitzer."

This has been kitted by: Peerless/Max/Airfix/Italeri/Testors, but not by Zvesda.

The Italeri Kit was used for this update article by Tim Streeter: http://www.usarmymodels.com/ARTICLES/Building%20155mm%20Gun/building155mm.html

Now all we need is an update ile on the M1 105mm

Wim Vink's M55 is great.  It is correct as a US Army Howitzer though.  It is not supposed to be in Vietnam, just a scene out of the '50s.  I too am looking forward to building the old Renwall kit.  I plan to add detail and bring it more up to date by using pieces from the Tamiya M48A3 on it.  They both based used the same basic parts.

http://www.mil-mod.nl/html/m-55.html

Although this dio and conversion are good, my only issue with it is that it has ARMY markings on it. It's my understanding that all M53 and M55 self-propelled howitzers deployed in Vietnam were Marine Corps vehicles.

Not just the tracks, but the guns too! Remember AFV Club's M59 155 Long Tom and M115 8 incher. I'm still waiting for a new mold of the old Peerless/Max M1A2 155 towed howitzer.

I'm the one who ended up buying a similar 109 for about 60 bucks and it's still in the mail... I guess. Then there's that guy on Ebay who's got a bagged Paladin as well as other 109s, 108s, 107s and 110s all for the same price roughly $100 with shipping. Where do these guys get off on charging such outrageous prices? I'm glad this is a commission build, so I'm not spending my own dough. I am however semi-pleased with Revell's recent re-release of Renwal's old M53 kit. So it's 1/32nd scale and the quality isn't great, it'll still round out my SP artillery collection. The real FUN however, will be in detailing the kit. Plus I plan on converting it from a 53 to an M55. Found a cool webpage detailing the conversion.

http://www.mil-mod.nl/html/m-55.html

Thanks for the review link Rob . IMO the AFV model is the one to purchase . Its more expensive than the Trumpeter but after reading the review i'd say the AFV is well worth the extra $15 to $20 .

Read one online here. Terry Ashley's PMMS site is probably the premier armor modeling review site.
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/afvclub/afv35126.html

I have not seen an in box comparison of the Trumpeter/Hobbyboss Strykers against the AFVClub one. Only finished ones displayed at local club meetings, and both are nice. But I do know about the level of detail that AFV packs into a kit from the few kits of theirs that I have built or in the stash. Their engineering is a level above on the "wow" factor. But like you say, a new tooled 109 by anybody would be most welcome.

Duplicate post

These were one of the first kits I built when I was getting back into modeling in the 80's. Straight OOB builds.

I wish they'd make some of those bigger USA suckers that used to line the roads at Aberdeen--the M103, and that other big howitzer with tracks like a bulldozer, sort-of. M55? M155? Something like that rings my bell...the ones with the big superstructure housings..

As a Germaholic, I like the new German "rarities" but to be honest, I haven't bought anything in about 6 months due to the prices. I'm still building down my stash....

stikpusher

Why not Trumpeter/Hobbyboss? They have been tackling modern arty a bit lately.

I agree with the AFV Club vs. Trumpeter/Hobbyboss. Have you compared their two previously released similar modern armor kits? I mean the AFV Club Stryker series blows the Trumpeter Strykers out of the water.

Regardless, I'd go for any manufacturer that made a better M109.

I agree with you Rob. The 109 is a forgotten model. Everybody had to live with the Italeri version. I think I have all the !09 with different guns, travel locks etc. It's about time somebody makes a more accurate model. I would like to see an IDF version and a Vietnam model.

Stick - Only reason I said AFV is they already have the track set....with that said Trumpeter or HB would be fine.

Roy - Hummm...M108 on commission...that makes two of us....we need to talk this weekend. Just got in hope to see you soon

Rounds Complete!!

Good idea !

Trumpeter/HobbyBoss , AFV  , are you reading this ?

Why not Trumpeter/Hobbyboss? They have been tackling modern arty a bit lately.

I have a couple of them myself Rob .

 I always liked the looks of the M109 series also .

I built one , its not a bad kit to assemble , but at the time i paid  $10 (or less)  for the kit  . At that price the short falls of the kit could be overlooked .

AFV , are you reading this ?

I'm finishing a M108 as well for a commission build and I agree that it's a pain -- but wow, what potential!  I really like its looks.  Wouldn't it be nice if AFV Club or someone like that tacked this subject....

Shellback

Good grief ! I have one of those in my stash . Its worth $60  !?

That'd be about the price i'd expect for a new release with a metal gun barrel and lots of PE .........and dont forget some realistic tracks . Them stiff as a fan belt tracks in the old kit  are rediculouse !

 

Yes, for $60 I'd expect a kit along the same quality of the AFV Club M40 Big Shot, heck, I'd settle for something mildly better than Revell's PzHbtz 2000. That dang kit has a metal gun tube the size of a child's aluminum bat.

I've got at least four 109 variants in the stash; the original M108 105mm, short barreled M109, a Testors boxed M109A2 and an M109A6 Paladin.

OK...I will see you $60 and raise $40

http://cgi.ebay.com/Italeri-1-35-M-109-Self-Propelled-Gun-E4-G-A1-A2-246-/120697746215?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c1a257327

The shame is there are 4 like that from different sellers. This is nuts!!

Totally agree with Rob.....just the work I had to do on the M108 was a PITA. The bad news is I also agree with Gino. I would love to see the whole M108/109 series.....followed by the M107/110 series. Problem is it is OD and does not have Pz in its name.

Dragon would never touch it...now someone like AFV, who already has the tracks!!

I will head back to church and light some more candles!!

Rounds Complete!!

The crazy price is only a recent development.  It was caused by one guy who kept reposting the same two M109 models (a Paladin and an A2) for $80.  They kept going unsold until one sold, now eveyone thinks they are worth that much.  A few months ago they were still going for about $25.

We do need a new modling of the M109 series, but I doubt we will see it any time soon.  It isn't a WWII German prototype tank that was never built, so it surely wouldn't sell.

Good grief ! I have one of those in my stash . Its worth $60  !?

That'd be about the price i'd expect for a new release with a metal gun barrel and lots of PE .........and dont forget some realistic tracks . Them stiff as a fan belt tracks in the old kit  are rediculouse !