M109A2 help

Nope, they were basically the same.  I do believe most British ones were M109A3s though.  The A3 was an M109A1 updated to M109A2 standard (as opposed to new-build M109A2s).  The A3 still had the lugs on the front glacis and another row of bolts on the sides left over from the flotation system.  Kinetic's model still has these features. The hull front plate w/the lugs is an optional part.  You can see them below.  Also, you can probably see that the Kinetic kit is not really that great and has soft details.  I recommend adding these features back to the AFV Club kit.

Star Decals makes a set of Op Granby (Gulf War 1, '90-'91) decals for it too.

Thats good enough for me. Thanks Gino.

Check back.  I added some more info.

Thanks. I saw another set with decal's for a Chally 1, but not this set. I was thinking about a desert scheme rather than the green and black.

And thanks for the info. I had just read the reviews on the Kinetic kit and saw that about the detail. And i do like AFV club.

Cheers.

Did they keep the Ma Deuce or use their own machine gun up top? Brits had a habit of adding rear view mirrors and directional blinkers to armored vehicles, but I'm just guessing on that stuff.

It looks like they kept the M2 .50 cal.  No added anything.  Also, this one is a straight M109A2 without the flotation gear pieces.

Another M109A2 in a museum in Brittain.

This one is an M109A3 with the flotation gear parts still on it.

Bish

Thanks. I saw another set with decal's for a Chally 1, but not this set. I was thinking about a desert scheme rather than the green and black.

And thanks for the info. I had just read the reviews on the Kinetic kit and saw that about the detail. And i do like AFV club.

Cheers.

 

I also wanted to mention Gino's post on making your own decals. Gino can give you the reference, but I followed his instructions and made some perfectly accurate World War II decals for a Tamiya Jeep build I did last year. You will need a printer and decal paper, but I just have an old HP 2542 inkjet printer that did a first-rate job on the decal paper. I noticed that http://www.archertransfers.com/ also has a good selection of British armor decals you might want to consider, but I like their water-slide decals better than their dry transfer type. I had good results with Archer's decal paper too.

I must say that I really like the AFV Club M109 kits with Friulmodel T-136 style metal tracks, they look very realistic to me.

Harold

We do use the M2 is a number of roles, so it makes sense we would keep it on the 109. Gino, i saw that first and last pictures at work today but they were not very clear, thanks for clearying up what versions they are, i can really see the differance there. I'll deffinetly be getting one of those AFv kits and a set of those decals.

Thanks guys, knew i could rely on the forum.

harold, yes, i saw your post earlier today just after i had been loking into the kits, good timing. I have made my own decals, in fact i will be making some for my Warrior, so that could well be an option. Though the 2 Star decal sets do have just what i need. I already have an AS 90 in green and black, so will be nice to have a 109 in dersert colours. And glad to know there are Fruils for that kit. Will be watching your progress more closely.

HeavyArty

It looks like they kept the M2 .50 cal.  No added anything.  Also, this one is a straight M109A2 without the flotation gear pieces.

Another M109A2 in a museum in Brittain.

This one is an M109A3 with the flotation gear parts still on it.

 

Harold

The M108 thru M109A5 all used T136 track.  The T154 track is only used on the M109A6 Paladin.  To me, the first picture just looks like T136 track in motion, not the German Diehl tracks.

Bish, caution regarding the T154 style track it may require different road wheels and sprockets. Like Gino said it was developed for M109A6 Paladin:

The T154 Track System is used on the M109 Self-Propelled Howitzer and the M992 FAASV Ammunition Carrier. The T154 track system is an upgrade from the original T136 Track used on the M992, M992A1 and M109A1, M109A2, M109A3, M109A4 and M109A5. T154 Track can be used on all generations and versions of the M109 and M992 series when the track system is replaced as a set (track, road wheels and sprockets). NSN Center can provide the complete T154 Track System and can (reclaim and overhaul) remanufacture and recertify used T154 Track and Road Wheels. The latest generation of track for this family of vehicles is the T154M Track System developed for the M109A6 Paladin and the M992A2 FAASV Ammunition Carrier. NSN Center can also supply the T154M Track System Components.

NSN Center specializes in supply chain logistics to the U.S. government and other governments worldwide. It serves as a supplier and distributer of aircraft parts, defense parts, ground support equipment, maritime parts, and manufacturer and government excess surplus. It aims to become a distributor of defense and aerospace products.

Thanks guys, i am learning tons already and i don't have the kit yet, this is all great info. Thank you.

Stick with the T134 tracks. 

T154 tracks were not around during OP Granby and would not have been added to British M109A2/3s.  They were not available until the M109A6 Paladin was fielded in the mid-late '90s. 

The sprockets and running gear are the same whether using T134 or T156 tracks though.  That is why they could be retrofitted to earlier M109s, you just don't add new tracks to a worn running gear system.  It also means the manufactureer gets more money if you replace the whole system as opposed to just the tracks.  The US Army did not retrofit older M109s and M992s with T154 tracks as they were eventually being replaced by M109A6 Paladins and M992A2 FAASVs (Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle) anyways.

HeavyArty

That is why they could be retrofitted to earlier M109s, you just don't add new tracks to a worn running gear system.  It also means the manufactureer gets more money if you replace the whole system as opposed to just the tracks.  The US Army did not retrofit older M109s and M992s with T154 tracks as they were eventually being replaced by M109A6 Paladins and M992A2 FAASVs (Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle) anyways.

 

Sergeant

 

 

HeavyArty

That is why they could be retrofitted to earlier M109s, you just don't add new tracks to a worn running gear system.  It also means the manufactureer gets more money if you replace the whole system as opposed to just the tracks.  The US Army did not retrofit older M109s and M992s with T154 tracks as they were eventually being replaced by M109A6 Paladins and M992A2 FAASVs (Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle) anyways.

 

 

 

 

Thank you Gino.

 

 

Thanks guys.

Looking forward to your project,my friends son is currently stationed in Poland serving with a M 109a6 unit.I have the Riich kit that I plan to build for him.He is a great kid,joined up as soon a he graduated HS.I will be watching yours.

Tojo72

Looking forward to your project,my friends son is currently stationed in Poland serving with a M 109a6 unit.I have the Riich kit that I plan to build for him.He is a great kid,joined up as soon a he graduated HS.I will be watching yours.

 

Mine won't be for some time yet, will probably get the kit next year. But Harold has an on going build if you haven't seen it.

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/3/t/185125.aspx