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AFV M40 155mm SP Gun, WIP, 01-17-10, Finally Complete!!

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
AFV M40 155mm SP Gun, WIP, 01-17-10, Finally Complete!!
Posted by redleg12 on Monday, August 24, 2009 7:40 PM

Background

With this one we are going back in time to the Korean War for the M40 155mm Self Propelled Gun by AFV. Also I will use some of the Eduard PE set and AFV T84 tracks.

For interest, here is the M40 during the Korean winter. This will be the effect I will try to work with. Notice the live ammunition which is tarped to the rear and the dunnage pile on the right of the gun

For more details and a walk around, I will use my own pictures from Aberdeen Proving Grounds along with :

http://www.primeportal.net/artillery/david_lueck/m40_155mm_spg/

Also I will be using my usual assortment of books and technical manuals.

The Build

For this build I will start at step 10 of the instructions. The first 6 or so are the gun itself and the next few the road wheel assemblies. The main hull has a lot of detail work so I thought I would concentrate my efforts there first.

Step 10 get the basic hull assembled after which I began the process of texturing for the cast parts. The basic assembly of the kit supplied parts goes without a hitch and the parts are of the usual high quality and high detail that AFV kits show.

 Below is an in process photo showing the front textured with two coats of Mr. Surfacer 500 which was dabbed on.

Here is a rear shot of the step 10 assembly, but not much going to happen back here for a bit.

A bit further on in the process with all the front end cast items textured and some weld seams in place. For the weld seams I had some metal powder lying around (Zinc dust) so the larger welds are Mr. Surfacer 1000 dabbed on and then some zinc dust dabbed into the wet Mr. Surfacer. Also at this point I began some of the front PE work.

At this point with the small parts and fine work, I am moving from the gun compartment divider forward.

Here is a close view of the main side weld seam

Some of the PE is really small. The tie downs which replace the kit molded in tie downs are and absolute joy to work with.

I am off on another building adventure.  Next is to finish all the kit supplied and PE details for the front.

As always all comments are welcome and thanks for looking

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: Coastal Maine
Posted by dupes on Monday, August 24, 2009 7:59 PM
You aren't trying to have this done in time for AMPS East, are you? Wink [;)]
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Monday, August 24, 2009 8:03 PM

Dupes - Thanks for stopping in....I don't think there is a snowballs chance. With 12 sprues, indy tracks and PE.....this will take a while......maybe by Halloween!! But before we get to drumstick day for sure!

Rounds Complete!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Monday, August 24, 2009 8:06 PM
Good start Mike.  It is coming along well.  I built it a few years ago and had no major issues.  I'm collecting the pieces to convert one to an M43 sometime in the future.  Keep up the good work and keep us posted. 

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Monday, August 24, 2009 8:17 PM

Gino - As always thanks for looking.

Yep - you are on the same track as I am. I was thinking of following this up with the M43 while it is fresh in my head. I have most of what I need also......we will have to have a BN meeting at the secure TOC and share our details. I always love a BN mass fire!!

You know I am always available.

Rounds Complete!! 

 

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by T26E4 on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 8:58 AM

Mine is a shelf queen right now.  Thanx for posting your pics.


One good change is the straps around the air vents on the engine deck.  For more detailed pics, go here (They are M43 pics):

 

 http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/m43.htm

http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/m43pt2.htm

Roy Chow 

Join AMPS!

http://www.amps-armor.org

 

 

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: S.W. Missouri
Posted by Pvt Mutt on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 9:17 AM

Is this the kit that they say the barrel is too short?

SPGs Forever                                                                                                                            Tony the Mutt

Shoot Low Boys They're Ridin Ponys

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 9:29 AM
Off to a great start with this one Mike, going to be fun to watch this one come to life. Thumbs Up [tup]
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by T26E4 on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 9:43 AM

Roy Chow 

Join AMPS!

http://www.amps-armor.org

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Carmel, IN
Posted by deafpanzer on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 9:46 AM

Looking great! Thumbs Up [tup] Before I joined the forum, I had absolutely NO interest in the artillery stuff but seeing many great builds it has changed my interest that I have been buying some kits.  I understand that M12 was widely used in WWII and it looks very similar to M40 you are building as it was too late for M40 to play a role before the war ended?  It made me curious about the differences between M12 and M40 another than wider chasis? 

Trust me I will be following your process! 

Andy

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 9:56 AM

...the differences between M12 and M40 another than wider chassis?
 

Actually they are totally different. The M12 was built on the smaller M3 tank chassis, the M40 is built on an M4A3E8 Sherman chassis.  They use totally different guns as well.  M12 used an old (WWI) French design Schnieder gun while the M40 used the latest US designed 155mm M2 gun, etc., etc., etc. 

 

As Roy pointed out, yes, the cradle is about 8.5mm too short.  It was incorrectly based on the M115 8 inch cradle.  The threads he posted show how to fix it.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 11:12 AM

Roy - Thanks for the info....I knew a good Shemaholic could help out. You also saved me time as I was going to have to get the exact difference in the barrel.....you saved me some research time.

Thanks for looking in

Bill - As always, thanks for stopping by

deafpanzer - I'm glad we are giving you an appreciation of artillery

Gino - Thanks for the I.S. on the question and clarification on the M12 and M40.

As the barrel length....as I told Roy, it was on my list to check...no its on the fix list!!

Thanks to all for looking and the comments

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Carmel, IN
Posted by deafpanzer on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 11:27 AM
THANKS... now I can see the big difference in the wheels!  Duh! Blush [:I] I have so much to learn about the artillery stuff.  Gonna get my popcorn ready for this...

Andy

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: S.W. Missouri
Posted by Pvt Mutt on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 12:20 PM

HHHEEEEEYYYYY Can't us SPG guys get a little credit around this joint?Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]                                 

Tony the Mutt

Shoot Low Boys They're Ridin Ponys

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 12:36 PM

Tony - Even though artillery is the king of battle and has inflicted more casulties than all the tanks combined.....the armor section of this hobby is dominated by Shermaholics and Germaholics.

Whenever I do a WIP it is a learning experience for many and I am enjoy doing it but.....people like Gino and myself are a minority in this hobby.

With that in mind....glad to have you along

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    January 2012
Posted by I make stuff on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 3:20 PM

Looiing great so far, I have looked at this kit with it's massive firepower...it's probably got a spot on my shelf some day.

What's the most common word uttered by Artillerymen?

"WHAT?" 

 

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: The Plains of Kansas
Posted by doc-hm3 on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 3:53 PM
 Mike, great subject matter, and your build is looking great also.
                                                                          doc

All gave some and some gave all.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 6:18 PM

Doc & Grad - Thanks for stopping in and for your comments.

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 6:24 PM
I can't remember that last time oyu built somehting with tracks.  But I also don't remember what I had for breakfast.  Nice start

Marc  

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 6:32 PM

Marc - My last track build was this guy...

It's been a while......Indy tracks, like scratching hemmorids with broken glass Shock [:O]....but they look good.

Thanks for stopping by

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Sunday, September 13, 2009 2:36 PM

It has been a few weeks so let me get you caught up!!

I have been concentrating on the font half. Since last time I have

  • Added the hatches and gave the casted look with Mr. Surfacer
  • Installed SS handles on the hatches
  • Installed PE tie downs on the deck
  • Installed PE guards for the lights
  • Installed PE on the front tow points
  • Surfaced some of the other features for the cast look and for the heavy welds
  • Installed PE tie towns on front plate
  • Installed SS lifting handles around grilles

I then moved on to the fenders.....This was my first trek into soldering PE. I started simple but found my best results were also adding rosin to the PE and using a lower heat setting. They are not the greatest  but I guess trying something for the first time could be worse.

The barrel holder had styrene supports which were flimsy at best. You can see the start of SS wire replacement. Much better!!

I still need to clean up a few things and make the "weld" spots around some items more presentable. I also assembled the barrel so I can mold the back end and make some resin copies to use as "bolgna" slices to extend the barrel. Hopefully some pics of that next update.

This is where I am at right now.  The next few weeks will be tight with yard work and AMPS East but hopefully I can get some quality time in.

As always all comments are welcome and thanks for looking

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: S.W. Missouri
Posted by Pvt Mutt on Sunday, September 13, 2009 2:51 PM

This is going to be good.Approve [^]

Tony the Mutt

Shoot Low Boys They're Ridin Ponys

  • Member since
    February 2009
  • From: mass,USA
Posted by scratchmod on Sunday, September 13, 2009 3:11 PM

Looks like a very interesting SP gun, I'm not into the modern stuff much but will be following this til the end to see what you do with it.

 

Rob

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Sunday, September 13, 2009 3:30 PM

Tony - Thanks for stopping by and for the comments.

Rob - Modern...Hummm...the M40 was developed in 1944 and saw some limited action in WWII. It was widely used in Korea and was out of service by VN. The M40 sits on the M4 sherman chassis.

I don't think it is modern....but I know not many here know artillery!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: ladner BC Canada
Posted by stick man on Sunday, September 13, 2009 4:10 PM

This will be a cool build to see all finished up and it's looking good so far!

Smile [:)]

 

I'm 15 and I model I sk8board and I drum what could be better.
  • Member since
    February 2009
  • From: mass,USA
Posted by scratchmod on Sunday, September 13, 2009 4:53 PM

Doh, did I say modern Blush [:I], for me post WWII is modern Wink [;)]. Yeah I should have known by the M4 hull. Still think it's a cool looking SP and can't wait to see it finished.

 

Rob

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Bournemouth UK
Posted by Bodge on Sunday, September 13, 2009 5:34 PM
WOW , firstly what an impresive build ,and secondly what an impresive machine  it looks huge compared to a Sherman. once again that is some awsome detailing going on there.Thumbs Up [tup]
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Sunday, September 13, 2009 6:59 PM

Stickman - Thanks for the comments

Rob - Everyone is entitled to a Duh!! Thanks

Andy - Thanks. It is the M4 chassis. I have to check but the upper section I think is slightly wider and because of the box rear and rear extensions...has the appearance to be much bigger.

Thanks for the comments on the build.

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Northern Va
Posted by psstoff995's lbro on Sunday, September 13, 2009 7:26 PM
Looking, good redleg, I was/ am thinking of getting this kit at some point. Nice looking texturing so far! Good build.
-Will young modeler Test fit master
  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Garland , Tx
Posted by batmancustoms on Sunday, September 13, 2009 7:33 PM
wow!!! looks bad  ***
John 'Panzer' Hinton http://www.batmancustoms.com/
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