Upcoming Kinetic M109A2 w/pics at Lucky Model

I just got one in the mail as well.  It looks pretty nice on initial inspection.  The detail is very crisp and sharp.  So far so good.  We'll have to see how it goes together.

Just got the kit in the mail to review. As I am not an expert on this AFV, I intend the in-box to be purely on the plastic. BTW, the tracks are indi-links not rubberband.

So I just wanted to mention I got this kit today. Initial impression is that it reminds me of old Esci models, if Esci had invested in better quality molds and engineering. The plastic has that same "style" or feel. Hard to explain.

The issue with the tracks: these are pretty interesting, in that they're link & length, but workable over the drive sprocket/idler. I think the idea is that the workable portion gives it the proper sag and drape, while the length portion helps to speed up assembly. I can still see criticism in that the drape of the tracks won't be 100% accurate over the top run, but it looks pretty good in the box at least!

Damon.

Hans , i was to lazy to go look for the kit in my stash so i went from memory .........

Shellback

Hans , i think you'd have to spring for a new set of tracks for the Italeri kit  also . As i remember the tracks in that kit are 2 section per side , thick , stiff and not detailed well .

They're one-piece rubber-band types, detailed on both sides, Shell.. At least the Testor's boxings are... Quite good, actually..  Where they fall short is in the "stiffness", as they are a little stiff and don't like to lay well.. However, with some straightening in hot water, and a couple strategic tie-downs, they "drape" rather well..

I don't build armor with "clean" tracks anyway, pretty much all of them are muddy, as are the roadwheels, although some desert dioramas aren't, for obvious reasons.. But when I do a European or Ft. Hood-type location, the howitzers pretty much alway *** at least ONE stink-hole on the way into a firing position, lol...

Frankly speaking, if I were going to spend a lot of money on a '109, I'd rather put it into resin turret and hull interior detail kits...

Riich Models just announced a pair of different track sets for your M109s.... and a M109A6 as well...

http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/newkitnews/riichmodel.html

Hans - I wouldn't say it is that bad.  It is much better than the old Italeri kit.  Just the updated suspension would be worth it.

I have actually been in contact with Ray Chung, owner of Lucky Model and Kinetic, and he assures me these are early test shots.  The production version will be better.  He says the details look soft due to his photo abilities (or lack there of).  He will also offer a version with all indi-link tracks, so that is good.  Also, all the pieces on the turret are separate items, so they can be placed where you like.    As to the non-slip surfaces, it is based on an ODS Vehicle, so it is appropriate.

It sounds good, we'll see how the final product looks.  I'll most likely get one just to check it out.

Hans , i think you'd have to spring for a new set of tracks for the Italeri kit  also . As i remember the tracks in that kit are 2 section per side , thick , stiff and not detailed well .

Gino and I are a bit biased on detail when it comes to artillery

And I'm even more biased when it comes to the M109...  I'd stick with the Italeri M109A2/A3, although I'll admit I didn't analyze the test photos(Saw that huge sink-hole in the mawl though)..  The tracks are too loose too.. The 109's tracks don't lay on top of the road-wheels, they "bow".. At the lowest point, they hang about three inches above the third roadwheel... 

Only pluses I see in the new kit is that they got the rack for the ramming staff sections the proper stepped-shape (Although nobody ever stored them up there. They go on the ground alongside the track, assembled) and that the turret side-hatches open (although that shovel's in a dumb place.)... Those hatches only open from the inside, and there ain't a gunbunny I ever met that's tall enough to reach up there and pull it off the turret-side to open the hatch, lol.. Guess the Gunner has to un-hook it.. 

I'd also wager that they won't include any alternative parts to lengthen the shocks to allow the torsion bars at the rear to extend fully so the model can be accurately portrayed up on its spades..

The aiming post bag is the same idea.. They (the aiming post sections) were carried inside the track on the march, and deployed out at the left front or right rear of the piece when it was in firing position.. Two sets were carried (my day), one set was red/white striped, one set was green/black striped...  Never carried the pioneer tools up there either.. 

Molded-on non-skid would be incorrect for any US M109A2-A3s prior to the very-late 80s-early 90s, BTW.. Prior to that, it was just some sand mixed in some wet paint applied in strategic spots (service drive brush guards, battery covers, and armor plate around engine hatches) and would be the size and texture of dead-flat model paint in 1/35th scale... 

Nope.. For 50.00 bucks, I'd buy the Italeri A2/A3 kit for 35.00 and use the rest of the 50.00-plus for crew-figures... And you need a LOT of them.. Eight guys in a '109 gun section, and five just for the gun.. Section Chief, Gunner, Asst Gunner, Driver, and No. 1 Cannoneer...  

And double-damn ditto on a FAASV kit.. Need that '992 worse than any new howitzer kits.. We (2nd AD) were first equipped with our FAASVs in 1986 fer cripe's sake.. Half a Howitzer Section's vehicles are the FAASV, lol..

Dunno why they simply re-invented the wheel and skipped the FAASV... 

Gino ..........

For starters, this is the earlier  (1980s - early '90s) M109A2 version, not the M109A6 Paladin. 

The running gear on the Kinetic kit looks better than the Italeri ones.  Also, this one has the flotation cover removed, while the Italeri ones still have it (it should be gone for M109A2s and beyond).  You could probably combine these two and use the better detailed basic M109 parts from the Kinetic kit, with the Italeri M109A6 Paladin-specific parts, along with the upcoming Riich Model T154 tracks to make a pretty nice Paladin model.

Also, it isn't out yet, these are just test shots.  Once it comes out, we'll see how it really looks. 

Hows this kit compare to the Italeri M109 series ?  I see the Italeri M106A6 is still for sale at Sprue Bros . for about the same price , but there's the pain in the rump 2 piece vinyle tracks to deal with in the Italeri kit .

Other than adding the flotation gear to this chassis, that is about all you would need to do to it.  The rest was pretty much the same.

Mike, Gino - what would you say about a possibility to backdate this baby to A-nothing, like seen in Vietnam? I've got Italeri turret and short barrel from Gino (thanks again!), now I'm looking for a chassis to put them on. Thought about Italeri Palladin (the reissued them, from what I heard, but it still didn't reach my LHS), but maybe the Kinetic offering would be better for this? Other than the flotation gear, are there other serious issues here? Thanks in advance, have a nice day

Paweł

Gino, I would agree with you....not impressed. The seams look larger than the old Italeri...the tracks are YUCH....lots of mold seams.  The details are not crisp.

If they are trying to keep the kit simple, that,s fine....they should copy Tamiya....low cost, simple to assemble. If they are going to charge $50+ dollars....it may not be worth it.

For the experience modeler, you are going to have the same with this or Italeri....kit + metal barrel, indy tracks + PE.

Now.....if the use the mold and make an M992....that I would buy in a heartbeat

Gino and I are a bit biased on detail when it comes to artillery . But...call a spade a spade

I am glad to see a new kit....just wanted more than the Italeri kit

Rounds Complete!!

I would like to see some more crispness in the parts and better details.  On the tracks, they are a let down and should be better with today's model making technology. 

AFV Club has a great set of indi-link tracks for them, but you shouldn't have to replece them with AM tracks on a modern kit, espescially at the price they are asking.

We'll see how it looks when it comes out though.

Kit looks good enough for me! I just pre-ordered one (I have a birthday coming up, happy birthday to me!)

In terms of the tracks, I believe either Friul or ModelKasten has a set of workables. I'll wait until the kit comes in to decide if I need these...

Damon.

Well it looks pretty decent except for those end connectors that you mentioned. And the price overseas is not bad. I wonder how much ot will jump up imported stateside. In any case it should knock out or at least reduce the gouging on ebay for the Italeri M109 kits.