SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

1/35 M1917A4 155mm Howitzer, WIP, 12/5/11, Complete

16500 views
34 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
1/35 M1917A4 155mm Howitzer, WIP, 12/5/11, Complete
Posted by redleg12 on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 8:07 PM

Fire Mission

Introduction

The M1917A4 155mm howitzer was first adopted by the US Army from the French Schneider company in 1917. The original weapon had hard spooked wheels and was used by the US in World War I.

After WWI the weapon received numerous upgrades including pneumatic tires, air brake system, and new shield to name a few. The M1917A4 was in service at the start of WWII and was phased out as the newer M1A1 155mm became available in 1942. The weapon saw service with numerous countries during both World Wars and then was moved out of service in most countries thru the late 1940s.

Photo Courtesy of Prime Portal

The kit

The kit is a newly released full resin kit from Commander Models. I worked with them on the research and evaluated some test pieces.   The kit as you will see it assembled here is from the final parts after development of the kit. This kit is currently released by Commander Models.

The Build

This is a relatively simple kit with about 30 or so parts. The instructions are simple with 6 steps.

After separating the parts from their mold blocks, they were cleaned of any flash, a few minor air bubble holes were filled and parts were washed to remove any mold release compound

The first steps are to assemble the lower carriage. This includes the assembly to the main carriage part of the front axels, the air brake tank, shield support bar, rear spade, tool box cover (center of the carriage), elevation gear box and rear displacement bar.

All the parts fit well, I left off the elevation and traversing hand wheels to facilitate painting.

The next steps are the construction of the upper carriage and barrel. The upper carriage has the attachment of the elevation gears. The barrel assembly and breech were kept separate again to facilitate painting. There was a minor mold seam in the barrel which required some minor sanding.

Here is the test fit of the lower and upper carriages.

The shield like the lower carriage is nicely molded including all the rivets. The pre-production shield I had did not include the rivets on the backside. I placed those rivets using Archer rivet decals. The hole in the shield to allow the sighting of the panoramic telescope has a door. I used some leftover PE to ass the door and hinge over the hole. Also assembled onto the shield is the sight storage box to the left of the shield sight opening

Prior to final assembly, all the parts were primed using Vallejo OD primer. I just purchased a jar of this primer and have to admit it works great. This paint flows well out of the jar right to the airbrush even using a .020 needle. It covers well and gives a good base color for US or Allied painting.   

After the primer coat was applied, I assembled the hand wheels onto the lower carriage. The lower carriage was then painted with Poly Scale OD. The tires were painted with a 50/50 mix of Tamiya NATO and Flat black and then the hubs and drums were also painted with the PS OD using a circle template.

I added PE rifling to the barrel from the parts box and followed the same painting as above. The elevation gear teeth, rails for the recoil and the breech block were then painted with Alclad Steel.

Inside the tube was painted Flat Black followed by Alclad Steel on the rifling

Shown here is the test fit of the painted upper and lower carriages.

Before final assembly, I will add the air lines for the brakes and then final assemble the model. The spade is in the travel position and does not lend itself to the emplaced position, based on its molding. I will display the model as if it is in the process of being emplaced so it is correct as assembled.

That’s it for now. As always all comments are welcome

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 8:36 PM

Looks like a pretty nice kit, Mike.  Good job on the build as well.  It looks pretty sharp.

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
    March 2003
  • From: Fort Worth, TX
Posted by RESlusher on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 8:49 PM

Mmmmmm...that's purrrrrrty, Mike!  Bow Down

 

Richard S.

On the bench:  AFV Club M730A1 Chaparral

On deck:  Tamiya Marder 1A2

In the hole:  Who knows what's next!

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 9:23 PM

Gino - Thanks for the peek, it is a nice quick build.

Rich - Thanks for stopping in

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 5:20 PM

I knew you had to be up to something...it was waaaay too quiet around here for a while. Nice work as usual Mike! Beer

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 7:33 PM

Quiet......well, we both have been absent from our normal build logs here in Armor. RL has been a real PITA these past few months. With that said....I am looking forward to winter, being inside, holiday vacation and some serious bench time.

This build kinda dropped in just as I was starting something else. It was fun change working with the vendor as he developed this kit.

Thanks for the peek......I'm always here in my bunker!!

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Right Side of a Left State
Posted by Shellback on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 11:46 PM

Congrats on your research , it made for a fine looking model . Was wondering what would be the typical vehicle for towing this weapon circa WW II ? Looks like it would look great in a dio either being towed or emplaced with the tow vehicle and crew . Yes

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Thursday, November 17, 2011 12:19 AM

Leave it to you to find the obscure artillery kits... Outstanding work so far..

JMHO, but that's about the ugliest piece I ever saw...

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Thursday, November 17, 2011 5:10 AM

Shell - Thanks for the peek. As far as towing, the weapon was fairly heavy, almost 4 tons. It would have been a 5 ton or better vehicle.

Hans - You know me....strange and obtuse.

As far as ugly.... and did I tell you it is French too .....I know, no political comments. I think that was one of the reasons it was sent to the scrap heap... too ugly  Thanks for the peek, always good to see you observing!

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Right Side of a Left State
Posted by Shellback on Thursday, November 17, 2011 7:27 AM

4 tons ? Had no idea it would be that heavy . Yes

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Thursday, November 17, 2011 8:35 AM

Yep....besides it's limited range (~11,000 yds) it could only traverse about 3 degress left or right. Further traverse required the crew to lift and re-emplace the weapon. At about 4 ton you could see what a nightmare that would be.

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: beacon falls , Ct.
Posted by treadwell on Thursday, November 17, 2011 7:46 PM

Hiya Mike

Nice piece of artillery Toast.....what I like best about it is the fact you were personally involved.Kudos

treadCool

   

 

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: S.W. Missouri
Posted by Pvt Mutt on Thursday, November 17, 2011 8:25 PM

Now I call that different sure nuff and lookin good too.Yes

Knock him out John

Tony lee

Shoot Low Boys They're Ridin Ponys

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Thursday, November 17, 2011 9:02 PM

Tread - Always a pleasure to have you drop in. As I said earlier, the fun of this build was helping with the kit design/review. It is a pleasure to work with Jon from Commander.

Tony - You know me....I try to expand the minds of the forum members!!

Thanks again guys

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: NE Massachusetts
Posted by 1SG Davis on Thursday, November 17, 2011 9:56 PM

Mike,

Looks great, unique subject too; I can’t say that I’ve ever seen that gun before.   4 tons for that brute, I hope they had a crew of 10+ to heave it around.

 You had mentioned Commander Models and that prompted me to check out their site.  The M103 caught my eye, a little pricey though, but interesting.  Any idea how hard that one is to build?  I’m working only my second resin my kit right now.

Thanks for look'n in on my 48A0 build too, gonna try and get to paint this weekend & hopefully post some more progress.

 

Gary

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Friday, November 18, 2011 5:44 AM

Gary - Thanks for the peek. Usaully a weapon of that size would have a crew of at least 9.

As for Commander Models, his thing is unique kits. No, he is not the cheapest. Then again I just saw a resin M800 series 5 ton for $300....now that is pricy. As far as building resin kits, I enjoy them. A dremel is good to have. The M103 itself cannot be all that bad. The Commander kits I have are well thought out. The only thing you need to add to his kits are the tracks.

As far as looking at your build....anytime for a brother!! I will be thinking of you and the 187th this weekend....I will be at a reunion of the 5/5. Ahhh...Glory Days!

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Friday, November 18, 2011 6:17 AM

Looks good MIke.  Was wondering what had happened to ya.  Glad it wasn't a snow laden tree branch bashing you on the bean.

Neat accessory those Archer decals.  I just used their casting numbers on the Char and they are real nice.  The rivets looks great.

Marc  

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Friday, November 18, 2011 3:16 PM

Hans - You know me....strange and obtuse.

As far as ugly.... and did I tell you it is French too .....

Knew it had to be French just looking like it does... Brrrrrr...

Obtuse... Heh.. I'd have better luck drinking one a'  th' Romanian Women's Olympic Weight-lifting Team purdy a'for that piece looked good...  Slappin' US tires & wheels on the gun carriage was puttin' $500 boots on a five-franc who.... err, Piece...Stick out tongue

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Friday, November 18, 2011 7:51 PM

Hans von Hammer

Hans - You know me....strange and obtuse.

As far as ugly.... and did I tell you it is French too .....

Knew it had to be French just looking like it does... Brrrrrr...

Obtuse... Heh.. I'd have better luck drinking one a'  th' Romanian Women's Olympic Weight-lifting Team purdy a'for that piece looked good...  Slappin' US tires & wheels on the gun carriage was puttin' $500 boots on a five-franc who.... err, Piece...Stick out tongue

 LMAO......you and I have sniffed too much Wolfs P---y. Wink

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Carmel, IN
Posted by deafpanzer on Friday, November 18, 2011 8:47 PM

Looking real good!  Please count me in... you are going to make many of us happy since you are building a partially WWII subject.  Big Smile  Good to have you back...

Andy

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Saturday, November 19, 2011 8:06 AM

Andy - Always a pleasure to have you drop by. I bounce around from era to era....I try to keep my audience   riveted Wink

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Dublin Rep Of Ireland
Posted by terry35 on Sunday, November 20, 2011 4:21 PM

Great work mike, such an unusual subject(well for me at least), really one of those that will stand out in a collection.

 

 

Terry.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Sunday, November 20, 2011 7:29 PM

Terry - Thanks....I love the unusual....this is a good adder!!

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Monday, December 5, 2011 8:41 PM

Well it has been a couple of weeks since I last posted on this one. First I worked on the air lines for the brakes. Using the Aber Pneumatic Details PE set and some 20 gauge SS wire I created the fittings from PE, the strain relief by creating a spring from the 20 gauge wire and the hose is the tubing supplied with the Aber set.

Here is the front air tank with the supply lines and feed lines to the brakes.

On the rear plate using the Aber kit, I assembled the air fitting connections and strain relief from the wire. The air line runs from the rear up each side and feeds the forward air tank.

Prior to adding the air lines the lower carriage along with the other parts of the howitzer were finished painted with Poly Scale OD. With the air lines in place the howitzer was final assembled. Using a PE stencil a 10inch scale White Star was painted onto the right side of the shield using Tamiya Flat White. The tires were painted with a 50/50 mix of Tamiya NATO and Flat Black.

Here is the front view of the assembled and painted howitzer

 

Here is the view from the rear

Next I gave the details and rivets a pin wash with MIG dark wash. After the pin wash dried, I gave the entire model a dot filter using Windsor & Newton White, Flesh and Sap Green along with Abteilung Light Mud. I spread the dots using MIG Grey for light Green. Using this mix gave the OD the faded look with a mixture of tones.

I finished up the weathering with a dusting of a mix of MIG Dried Mud and Industrial Dirt pigments. Here is the finished look

 

I created some details for the display. First was the 155mm ammunition using the AFV 155mm ammunition kit. The 155mm projectiles are painted with Tamiya OD. The rotating band is painted with Tamiya Flat Copper and the kit decals applied. The powder containers are also painted using Tamiya OD and the white band kit decals applied. The dunnage is 1/32 inch plywood cut in a scale 4 inch wide and 8 foot long strip. To weather and bring up the grain, a light coat of Minwax stain was used.

 

Some other details include a ramming staff from styrene rod and punched sheet styrene sheet for the end plate. The staff is painted with Tamiya OD and the end plate with Alclad Steel. The resin cast foot locker/section chest is painted with Tamiya OD and Alclad Steel on the hinges and hasp. The shovel is Tamiya Flat Black and Buff. The shovel is scratched using a #2 pencil.

After a visit to my woodwork shop to make the oak base, I created the ground with cell-u-clay and cheap buff colored acrylic paint mixed in. After drying, the surface had a light coat of the same MIG pigments used above. The spade hole used the same pigments with a touch of MIG Old Rust pigment to give it a darker freshly turned dirt look.

Here is the complete model

 Here it is from the rear

That is it for this one. I would like to again thank Jon from Commander Models. This is a fun little kit that fills the void of the WWI and early WWII US Medium towed artillery.

Next up is the M115 8 inch howitzer

As always all comments are welcome

Rounds Complete!!

EOM

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

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: S.W. Missouri
Posted by Pvt Mutt on Monday, December 5, 2011 8:54 PM

That did turn out to be a nice build MikeToast

Needs a figure or two for scale.

Tony lee

Shoot Low Boys They're Ridin Ponys

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Monday, December 5, 2011 9:29 PM

She came out great Mike.  An excellent job as usual.

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, December 5, 2011 10:02 PM

Tony - Thanks for the look and for the comment.

As for the figures.....I gave up figures for lent  Confused.....besides, there are not any correct artillery figures available....especially in early war uniforms with batan helmets. SOOOO as long as they don't manufacture correct artillery figures, I have an excuse. After that.....I just inhale with figures.

Gino - Thank for visiting the firing point

Rounds Complete!!

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

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 1:52 PM

Looks like it's ready for the next fire mission and your usual attention to detail doesn't disappoint Mike! Beer

What's next on the bench?

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Gothenburg
Posted by JohanT on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 3:26 PM

Congratulations on a great build, it must have been an experience  contributing to the  research!

Very Best Regards
Johan 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 7:28 PM

Bill - Thanks for the peek and for the comments. As for what is next,

M1 (M115) 8 inch Howitzer.....WIP coming soon

Johan - Thanks for stopping in. Yep, it was fun working with the company, evaluating the master and helping to add details to the final product.

Rounds Complete!!

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

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.