Self Propelled Artillery/Mortar GB 2006-2007

Yann Solo wrote:

Sorry for that very late reply

Great to hear from you Yann.  It took me quite a while, but I somehow stumbled my way through the entire build...... and only lost 1 part!  I'll take photos this evening and post them.  I've left the gun off so I can paint it seperately. 

The gun assembly was a great reward for surviving the prior painstaking steps with the pulleys.  I liked this kit so much I ordered and received the AFV Club M40 self-propelled guy.  Have you built that one yet?

Larry

OK, here's a few photos of the M12 before I take the next disatrous step........ of painting.  I really enjoy painting washing and weathering - but my results have been lackluster.  On this model I'm definitely going with the "less is more" approach to depict a "gently used" M12. 

Yeah, the gun is fun to build.  You seem to have done a wonderfull job with the pulleys and cable BTW.

Have you opened the box of that AFV Club Big Foot yet?  How is it?  I want that kit since its announcement but I never had the chance to get my hand on it.  And now there is so much other kits that I want that I don't know when I'm gonna build it.  Limited budget! 

But I would really like to hear what you have to say about it.  Have you ever write a review?

Plastic_Cross wrote:

NTM - that's a tremendous vehicle.  I may have missed it in an earlier thread....but, what is it called?  I don't believe I've seen anything like it before.

It's called the PzH (PanzerHaubitze) 2000. Consider it the Pan-Euro-Version of Paladin, state-of-the-art artillery system, it's achieving quite good export success. Here are some piccies with people in it for size. Makes an extremely impressive model when finished.

Greece. 

Germany

Netherlands.

They've even put it on a warship, for naval gunfire support of infantry. (It's a bit bigger than the 76mm usually found on German warships).  Called "MONARC" in that role.

NTM

Yann Solo wrote:

Have you opened the box of that AFV Club Big Foot yet?

Yann,

I haven't  even torn off the shrink wrap yet.  I'm trying to talk myself out of building it because it would be my 3rd self propelled artillery model in a row to build.  But what's wrong with that?  Nothing, except it makes it hard to work on my zimmerit and camoflaouge skills working on US GMCs. 

I am kind of eager to start on that one, first because of the subject, and second because I haven't built any AFV Club kits yet......and what better way to start?

I'll open up the box this evening.  I'll also take some photos of the sprues and post them on this GB thread.  Is that OK Will7813?  If there's a particular aspect that you would like me to take a close-up of, let me know and I'll do it.

I thought I would start the Dragon Jagdpanzer IV 48L Early version 1/35 #9021 kit (hence my comment about zimmerit) next.  But I guess there's no reason for me not to start both. 

As far as writing a review, that's a very complimentary remark.  I don't think I have enough builds under my belt to be able to generate a useful contrast/compare evaluation of the kit however.

But.....I could try to write a review, from my perspective as a beginner.  I'll give it a try.  Thanks once again for your good comments about the build.  I really did hit a mental brick wall with the tail end of the M12.  I think I initially concluded that I wouldn't be able to do it.  I'm glad I stuck with it though, because this build continues to be very pleasant.

Larry

Manic Moran wrote:

It's called the PzH (PanzerHaubitze) 2000. Consider it the Pan-Euro-Version of Paladin, state-of-the-art artillery system, it's achieving quite good export success. Here are some piccies with people in it for size. Makes an extremely impressive model when finished.

Thanks a lot for the photos an information NTM.  It looks like a small family could live inside of it.  To me at least, it appears larger than the Paladin.  How hard is it to find a kit of this AFV in 1/35? 

Larry

Plastic_Cross wrote:

I haven't  even torn off the shrink wrap yet.  I'm trying to talk myself out of building it because it would be my 3rd self propelled artillery model in a row to build.  But what's wrong with that?

That's right!

Plastic_Cross wrote:

I'll open up the box this evening.  I'll also take some photos of the sprues and post them on this GB thread.  Is that OK Will7813?  If there's a particular aspect that you would like me to take a close-up of, let me know and I'll do it.

Yes please tell me how the gun look like and the quality of the vinyl tracks also.  Thanks.

Plastic_Cross wrote:

As far as writing a review, that's a very complimentary remark.  I don't think I have enough builds under my belt to be able to generate a useful contrast/compare evaluation of the kit however.

That's ok, just tell us your observations and how everything look simply.  There is no need for accuracy issues or such details, you know!  I made my first one last week and I enjoyed it.  One advice tough:  Examine the parts by following the instructions, that way, you'll be able to visualise the build and detect any pitfall or missing information and such.

That was just a suggestion tough!  It's fine if you don't want to do it.  If you do make it, post it in the Armor forum.

 See ya.

 Now stop talking (writing) and paint that bastard!

Plastic_Cross wrote:

Yann Solo wrote: Have you opened the box of that AFV Club Big Foot yet?    I'll open up the box this evening.  I'll also take some photos of the sprues and post them on this GB thread.  Is that OK Will7813?

Yer, no problems!

The M12 looking great plastic!! Good luck with the painting and weathering!

Manic Moran - The PzH is a BEAST, they put it on a ship!

Will

Plastic_Cross wrote:

It looks like a small family could live inside of it.  To me at least, it appears larger than the Paladin.  How hard is it to find a kit of this AFV in 1/35?

It's a lot larger than Paladin, by about 25 tons. (Comes in at about 55 tons, nearly MBT weight). Hull is over a meter longer.

The kit is a mass-produced injection molded one by Revell, it's the only 1/35 kit that I'm aware of. Catch is that some Revell kits don't get imported into the US, so you may need to do some mail-ordering. I honestly can't recall if I bought my kit in the US or in Europe.

NTM

Yann,

I'll work on writing a "first look" review on the M40 kit, but since that might take me a little time, I thought I'd fire off a few photos and comments now.

Aside from the typo on page 1 (calls the D-Day mission "Operation Overload") the instruction booklet looks first rate. 

They've included photos of what appear to be the real vehicle to illustrate certain detailed areas of the build. 

The other cool thing is that instructions start with the assembly of 155mm gun.  This is the first kit I've seen that does not start with the wheels.

Below is a photo showing the M40 and M12 barrels side by side. 

There's one small PE, shown below.

And one photo closeup of the high quality molding in this kit.

I'll work on getting a review posted soon.  Until then, I'll be happy to provide more photos and/or comments about aspects of the kit you'd like to know more about.

Larry

Holy cow, you all have monsters!!!!!   I think mine is the smallest SPG ever........     my hull is only about 4' 1/4"  at 1/35 !!!!  Even smaller than the Wespe it seems    

oh man, that M40 looks killer.  I may have to do one of those for this build instead. 

I checked out some of the reviews of that kit, and some photos of the parts... gorgeous, simply gorgeous.  I'm really looking forward to seeing some build photos from you. 

espins1 wrote:

oh man, that M40 looks killer.  I may have to do one of those for this build instead.

I found a very recent review of this kit (11/28/06) Roy Chow  http://www.track-link.net/reviews/k1772

Judging by the remarks in his concluding paragraphs, I think Mr Chow has a high opinion of this kit.

"This is an overall excellent kit of a significant vehicle in the US inventory in terms of development and historical implementation. AFV Club's great research and kit engineering are extremely appreciated. With only the need for possible alternative tracks, I can not see why this kit does not deserve the highest recommendations. "

Larry 

espins1 wrote:

oh man, that M40 looks killer.  I may have to do one of those for this build instead.  I checked out some of the reviews of that kit, and some photos of the parts... gorgeous, simply gorgeous.  I'm really looking forward to seeing some build photos from you.

Ok.  Between you and Yann I now feel compelled to start the M40 kit.  I was going to jump into something else, but this SP Art Group Build seems to be pretty energized.  I'm winding down on the M12, just final weathering to do.  I gotta say that I surprised myself on this one.....it's turning out better than I had anticipated.  I think I'm finally starting to understand how to use oil paints too.  I did a filter type wash with the oils, applied decals and used oils to paint the ammo boxes and misc. onboard tools.  I still have a long long way to go, but I'm certainly enjoying the journey.  I'll probably post final pics this weekend.

 Larry

A well done teaser Larry.  It sure look appealing.  Interesting that AFV Club started with the gun assembly.  Like you said, usually they tell you to assemble the wheels first in the instructions, which as far as I can tell, nobody follows.

 I'm glad things turned out good for your M12, can't wait to see it.

SgtBrown wrote:

Is it still possible to get in on this?  I have a Sturmgeschutz III Ausf. B, Sd. Kfz. 142 kit from Dragon I've been itching to start.

Show me a pic please.

Will

Will7813 wrote:

SgtBrown wrote: Is it still possible to get in on this?  I have a Sturmgeschutz III Ausf. B, Sd. Kfz. 142 kit from Dragon I've been itching to start. Show me a pic please. Will

Isn't that a gun firing in the direct fire role?

A Sturmgeschutz or Stug is an assault gun or tank destroyer like my mistakenly built Jagdtiger

Stug III Ausf.C

Sorry to have to spill the beansbecause I personally LOVE the Stug sieries of vehicles so yes will it is primarially used as direct fire but let me check my references I think I read somewhere that in a pinch they were used indirectly. it was in italy either at Solerno or Monte Casino I'll get back to ya on it

ok the info I found was of 3 StugIII Ausf G used as artillary support in the defense of the monastary at Monte Casino they looked similar to this one

It's direct fire for sure. The elevation range on the gun cannot permit indirect fire. That also why the gun was upgraded, to penetrate more armor.

   I have a question about zimmerit . Whats a good putty to use to replicate zim ? I read in FSM once that A-B putty was good , one of the reasons given was that it has a slow to set up ,which gives  more time to work with it .

My SturmTiger is ready to assemble . I've painted the interior in a grayish white and did some slight weathering inside . I want to do the zim next so i can finish assembly and then paint it .

 The kit I am building is the early version and it was used as mobile assualt artillery to support infantry attacks.  It has the smaller 7.5 cm Stuck 37 cannon.

In 1935 Von Manstein called for a mobile artillery to be created to support infantry.  Later these vehicles were to take on a tank killer role, but not early in the war.

 The earlier war vehicles like the Sturmgeschultz were not intended to fight tanks. They were to act as mobile assault artillery in support of the infantry. Thus, their attachment to the artillery arm. In this role a cupola is hardly necessary. The commander using a standard artillery siccsors periscope could direct fire under cover when necessary and just stick his head out the rest of the time.

It is true this piece could not offer much in the way of indirect fire, but it was definitely an artillery piece when introduced.  However, if the GB is for indirect fire only, I will understand. 

Yup, indirect fire only.

I was suprised when you asked becaue I did not realise the vechiles early war use.

Will

Will7813 wrote:

Yup, indirect fire only. I was suprised when you asked becaue I did not realise the vechiles early war use. Will

I completly forgot about that early war use     

Academy M12 GMC - Report from the Field: Finished at last.

Lost parts: 1 (replaced with homemade)
Broken & abandonded parts: 1 (did not replace it, and hope nobody notices)
Most tedious part: It's a tie between the #$#% string/pulleys and the decals for the ammo covers.
Biggest goof: Mis-alignment on the recoil-spade steps.
Biggest personal breakthrough: I applied filter washes, a pin wash, and dry brushed - and for once I didn't make the model look worse.
Next Build: Not sure, probably the M40

My intention was to produce a "gently worn" M12.  By this I mean minimal weathering, just enough to try to make it as realistic looking as I can.  This is the 4th model I've ever built, and I think that it's a big improvement over my previous 3.   This guy is very very far from perfect, but I feel quite happy with the results.   All four kits have been OOB, so I am going to raise the bar and try to do a little customizing, or at least use an aftermarket upgrade on the next build.  I've got PE upgrades for the LAV, Hummel and Hetzer, and an interior upgrade for the M18.  I'll also look for something interesting to add to the M40 Big Shot. 

This is a great GB.  My Appreciation goes out to our great GP leader - Will7813

And now the pics:

That looks awesome Cross!  Very interresting, not a subject that I know.   I think I see an ejector pin mark on one of the roller in the 1st pic.

Very well done, I really like the wood box in the last pic  

Ok guys I'm sorry to say that I am temporarily unable to model I woke this morning with a strange blurring in my left eye ,I went to the optometrist and found I have a Diabetic Hemmorage in my left eye and I am currently having great difficulty seeing .I am forcedto wear a patch which kills my depth perception they hope it can be corrected with laser surgery but we will not know until the 19th

Wish me luck Chris"PANZERWULFF" Gray