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Fire For Effect - M119A1 towed 105mm **DONE** - 26 JUN 11

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  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Fire For Effect - M119A1 towed 105mm **DONE** - 26 JUN 11
Posted by HeavyArty on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 8:38 PM

After building a bunch of Abrams, I am getting back to some artillery pieces.

My latest build is the Mouse House M119 105mm towed howitzer.  This is the current light howitzer used by US forces since about 1994. 

The kit is an all resin affair from Australia.  Overall it is pretty nice kit.  The casting is good with a bit of flash, but not too much to deal with.  The parts were marked well, with large numbers on the pour blocks.  The instructions are horrible though.  They are basically blurry pics with arrows pointing to nondescript areas to attach the parts.  I used photos from Prime Portal and pics of my brother Mike "Redleg12"'s build of the same kit as a references in lieu of the directions to assist in where the parts went.  I have also served on M119s, so I used what I remembered as well.

I updated the kit to M119A1 standards as well as adding a couple US items.  First, I cut off the conical ends on the recuperator bottle on top of the barrel so they are flat and added a couple bolt plates there.  I also added the chronograph bracket on top of the forward cross member above the barrel.  Next, I added a section of tubing that runs down the right side of the cradle up to the breech.  Lastly, I added the pole at the end of the cradle used to move the gun laterally to adjust fire.

Here are the pics.



That's it so far.  Next up is some paint and accessories.  I will be doing a small dio for it on a firing point, possibly with a couple figures.  I'll keep you posted.

As always, all comments welcomed.

Thanks for looking.

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
    October 2008
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by oddmanrush on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 8:43 PM

Very cool so far! Mouse House....is that the name of the manufacturer of the kit or a nick name for the gun? I'm no red leg so please enlighten me. Thanks!

Jon

My Blog: The Combat Workshop 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Jefferson City, MO
Posted by iraqiwildman on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 8:50 PM

Doing some High Angle firing, I see. I will have to follow this build. Keep up the good work.

Tim Wilding

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 9:19 PM

Thanks for looking.  It has been a fun (yet sometimes frustrating) build so far. 

Mouse House is the kit manufacturer out of Australia. 

Mouse House M119

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
    January 2003
  • From: Washington, DC
Posted by TomZ2 on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 11:42 PM

HeavyArty

My latest build is the Mouse House M119 105mm towed howitzer.  This is the current light howitzer used by US forces since about 1994.

I don’t [dinkywongo] believe it! I just got the following photo:


And I was thinking, #I know I’m not going to build it myself, but wouldn’t THAT make a fine diorama? Not laugh out loud funny, but something with a touch of human interest.# Oh, well, you can treat it as another reference photo.

Occasional factual, grammatical, or spelling variations are inherent to this thesis and should not be considered as defects, as they enhance the individuality and character of this document.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Thursday, June 2, 2011 5:07 AM

Glad to see you emplacing some artillery. It is always good to go home.

Looks like you are off to a great start.

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Thursday, June 2, 2011 6:28 AM

Tom - Interesting pic.  Gotta love the borescope and pull-over test.  Thanks for checking in.

Mike - Always good to have you stop by.  Thanks for the assist as well.

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
    June 2005
  • From: Massachusetts
Posted by minimortar on Thursday, June 2, 2011 9:45 AM

Did someone mention "High Angle"?

Looking forward to this one too Gino!

Thanks,
Kevin Keefe

Mortars in Miniature
A Scale Model (Plus!) Collection of the Infantryman's Artillery

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Thursday, June 2, 2011 9:52 AM

Nice work so far Gino, modern artillery is something that always holds a visual interest for me in terms of seeing how things have evolved in the last 100 years or so and this one's no exception. Looking forward to seeing it emplaced. Beer

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Thursday, June 2, 2011 11:30 AM

nice work so far Gino

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Thursday, June 2, 2011 4:44 PM

Kevin - Yup, it will be high angle fires.  It has to get over the A'stan mountains.  Thanks for looking.

Bill and Anthony - thanks for looking in on it.  I too like modern more than older stuff. 

 

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
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Sunday, June 5, 2011 9:05 PM

Here is the latest update on it.  I painted it and got some decal markings on it.  I decided to mark it as B12 from 3-319 FAR, 1BDE, 82nd ABN DIV.  I made up the barrel name to add a bit to it.  It still needs to be weathered and then added to the base plate.

Here it is so far.




More here.

All comments welcomed and thanks for looking.

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 Sunday, June 5, 2011 9:28 PM

Looking very nice. The muzzle plug on the idiot cord is always a nice touch. Looking forward to seeing it emplaced

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: Massachusetts
Posted by minimortar on Sunday, June 5, 2011 10:09 PM

Man, you've sure got some talent! I don't know how you do it Gino... its only been a couple of days since you started this post...  I'd still be in the ''thinking about it mode'.

Awesome as usual and looking forward to it being in its firing position!

Bow Down

Thanks,
Kevin Keefe

Mortars in Miniature
A Scale Model (Plus!) Collection of the Infantryman's Artillery

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Monday, June 6, 2011 6:13 AM

Mike and Kevin - Thanks for checking in.  It is getting there.  This one didn't really have that much work to do on it.  It is a really nice little kit. 

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
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Sunday, June 26, 2011 9:16 AM

I have completed my M119A1 and added a crew on a small base.  It represents a piece from the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq or A'stan in the early days when DCUs were still worn.



The crew are modified Dragon and Tamiya figures.  The gunner straddling the trails has legs from the old Tamiya Armored Troops set.  I added new boots from a modern Dragon figure.  The IBA-clad torsos on all the figures are resin casts from Verlinden and the one with the Camelback is from a copy of a Trumpeter torso.  The gear is a mix of items from various Dragon sets.  Most of it comes from their Modern USMC (OIF/OEF) set.  As does the radio operator (radio bag is from Pro Arts excellent SINCGARS set) and the standing figure inside the trails, who is holding the lanyard, by the way.  The ammo bearer is modified from the Dragon US Army Green Berets set.



The rounds, casings, and "tootsie roll" tubes are from Resicast.  The ammo crates are cast pieces from somewhere (sorry I don't remember where).  The open ammo box was built from sheet styrene by me.  The stenciling is from a friend, thanks Bro.  The collimator is also scratch-built using plans from the same friend. 


More pics can be seen here.

Thanks for looking.

As always, all comments are welcomed.

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
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Sunday, June 26, 2011 9:32 AM

Makes me want to cover my ears!

Yes

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Right Side of a Left State
Posted by Shellback on Sunday, June 26, 2011 9:47 AM

HeavyArty or Gino ?

Sweet looking little artillery dio .Your personal experience with artillery makes your model even more interesting .Beer

  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Essex England
Posted by spacepacker on Sunday, June 26, 2011 9:47 AM

That is a very nice buildYes

I don't know anything about guns bigger than a "Bren", but that man with the lanyard??????????

You don't use Blue Touch Paper thenWhistling...cheers.....Kenny

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Sunday, June 26, 2011 12:50 PM

Rbear - thanks.  It was a fun build.  I think it looks pretty realistic too.

Shelback - Thanks for looking in and commenting. 

Spacepacker -  Thanks.  Nope, no blue touch paper.  The 105mm round usues an integrated primer like a rifle shell.  Just pull the lanyard and the hammer falls and fires the round. 

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
    December 2006
  • From: t.r.f. mn.
Posted by detailfreak on Sunday, June 26, 2011 1:26 PM

                          Great work all around Gino. Always a pleasure to look at the models coming off your workbench.Cool

                                                           Greg"Detailfreak"RowleyYes

[View:http://s172.photobucket.com/albums/w1/g-earl828/]  http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t104/cycledupes/1000Roadwheels4BuildBadge.jpg

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Sunday, June 26, 2011 2:32 PM

detailfreak - Thanks for commenting.  As yo can tell, I am also into details.  It is the little details that makes a diorama great.

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 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Sunday, June 26, 2011 2:37 PM

Lots of neat details to draw the eye Gino, very nice work all around on this one. Beer

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Sunday, June 26, 2011 3:45 PM

Bill - Thanks for checking in. 

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 Sunday, June 26, 2011 8:15 PM

Very nice.....very nice job with the figs, love the vests. As for the weapon....looks like all MTSQ....no PD?

Crates look good. Love the AFV fibers. Need some sandbags on the colimeter....would not want to pick up some false displacement

I would guess you had fun with this one....it shows

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Sunday, June 26, 2011 9:02 PM

Hi Mike.  I did have fun with this one.  I figured yo uwould pick up on the missing sand bags n the collimator.  I still need to add them.  Thanks for stopping in. 

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
    June 2005
  • From: Massachusetts
Posted by minimortar on Sunday, June 26, 2011 9:41 PM

Awesome Gino! Looks good and 'in use' and the figures are great too! Nice choice with the DCU... hellofa lot easier to paint than the ACU of today.

Excellent build and presentation! Bow Down

Thanks,
Kevin Keefe

Mortars in Miniature
A Scale Model (Plus!) Collection of the Infantryman's Artillery

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Carmel, IN
Posted by deafpanzer on Sunday, June 26, 2011 10:36 PM

Looking real good!  Loved the base... this is something I want to build for my M24 Chaffee during Korea War.  I am going to check your link for more information on how you made the base if it is there.  Well done! Yes

Andy

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Monday, June 27, 2011 6:14 AM

Kevin - Thanks for the compliments. I enjoyed building this one. I debated on modern figures in ACUs, but in the end chickened out. I still haven't gotten up the courage to paint ACUs.  I need to do them soon.

Andy - Glad you like it.  The base is really simple.  It is a pre-cut piece from the craft store that I sanded, stained, and sealed.  Next I drizzle white glue (Elmer's School Glue) onto where I want the groundwork.  I then take a large brush and spread the glue evenly.  Lastly, I take some dirt from my yard which has been sifted to remove debris, rocks, and bigger pieces.  I sprinkle the dirt onto the wet glue and let it dry.  Once dry, shake off the excess dirt.  That's it.  Instant base.  Good luck with 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

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