Proud Kraut Posted March 21, 2018 Share #1 Posted March 21, 2018 It's high time to start a new project before springtime & yard work are in sight... As mentioned I took an interest in Tamiya's new 1/35 scale "U.S SELF-PROPELLED 155mm GUN M40". While the kit was on the way I did some online research. I found less pictures than expected of this vehicle. In WW II only one single piece saw action during the battle of Cologne. Here's some more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M40_Gun_Motor_Carriage I had to pay 65,- Euro (US$ 80) for the kit, rather much money for a Tamiya model. I thought the high price was caused by the additional gun crew of eight. Yesterday the kit arrived. Going through the box I think the kit is well worth it's price. Some first impressions: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted March 21, 2018 Author Share #2 Posted March 21, 2018 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted March 21, 2018 Author Share #3 Posted March 21, 2018 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skypilot6670 Posted March 21, 2018 Share #4 Posted March 21, 2018 YES ! Another build to watch and enjoy. Thanks Lars. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Meatcan Posted March 21, 2018 Share #5 Posted March 21, 2018 Looking forward to your usual fascinating build reports, Lars. My dad served in an M-43 battalion (the 8" self-propelled howitzer version) so your M-40 will be of great interest. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
etienne Posted March 22, 2018 Share #6 Posted March 22, 2018 Interesting project !! What made you choose Tamiya's kit over AFV Club's one ? E Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted March 22, 2018 Author Share #7 Posted March 22, 2018 @Mike: Thank you very much! @Terry: The 203mm M43 conversion is definitely om my to do list as well! @Etienne: It was for sure the gun crew that made me choose the Tamiya kit. As far as I know it's not available separately yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsbody Posted March 22, 2018 Share #8 Posted March 22, 2018 Hi Lars, looking forward to this build. Hobby Fan has (or had) a Long Tom gun crew available that perhaps also fits the M40. But to me this Tamiya kit looks alright. Rene Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
etienne Posted March 23, 2018 Share #9 Posted March 23, 2018 @Etienne: It was for sure the gun crew that made me choose the Tamiya kit. As far as I know it's not available separately yet. Good reason indeed !! In addition, the crew figures seem to be very nice, do you confirm ? E Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtyScout Posted March 23, 2018 Share #10 Posted March 23, 2018 Hey Lars, I saw this vehicle being a WIP on a different site. The builder was quite good but it was the figures that he painted very well and put the whole model over the top. I'm looking forward to your build. Semper Fi. Manny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsweeney Posted March 23, 2018 Share #11 Posted March 23, 2018 Lars Waiting for the progress of your project Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backtheattack Posted March 24, 2018 Share #12 Posted March 24, 2018 Think it will be another great work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted March 24, 2018 Author Share #13 Posted March 24, 2018 Thanks everybody! I started to build the upper hull of the kit yesterday. Tamiya quality as usual. All parts fit perfectly yet, it seems to be a rather easy to build kit. Rene, thanks for the hint! I did find indeed two different crews. One with 3 and one with 4 gunners. Good reason indeed !! In addition, the crew figures seem to be very nice, do you confirm ? E Yes, I do confirm, they look well molded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share #14 Posted April 15, 2018 Whats new? Not much progress with the kit for several reasons. Well at least a little progress with the chassis and the hull. BUT, I decided to build the 8 inch/203 mm variant M43 as well. For the conversion I ordered the AFV club kit that was mentioned here before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share #15 Posted April 15, 2018 Here are the sprues for your interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share #16 Posted April 15, 2018 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share #17 Posted April 15, 2018 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share #18 Posted April 15, 2018 In addition I have found the AFV club 155/203 mm ammo set. Don't know how I missed this one. It was not easy to get over here since the set is not longer available in most modeling stores. Don't know, if AFV has stopped production of this set. If you get your hands on one I would recommend to get a set as long as it is possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share #19 Posted April 15, 2018 Guys, I have a serious problem. At the moment I'm unably to purchase ANY 1/35 scale 203mm howitzer M115 over here. AFV Club had a kit M115 8in Howitzer - AFV Club No. 35S06 that is not longer available over here. I THOUGHT I had found a build M115 and purchased one at ebay.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share #20 Posted April 15, 2018 Unfortunately it was a 1/32 scale "21st CENTURY" howitzer. Can anybody help out here and point me into the right direction where to find the AFV Club M115???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share #21 Posted April 15, 2018 ...last but not least I noticed that my knowledge of English artillery equipment terms got a little bit rusty recently. I got me a couple of cold war Arty manuals to be well prepared for the following project & discussions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PzAufkl Posted April 19, 2018 Share #22 Posted April 19, 2018 Hi Lars, Compare your AFV Club parts # C 9, 34, 35 (breech ring and rear gun tube halves) to the corresponding Tamiya offerings and you'll see that AFV has already given you the rear half of the M43's 203 mm tube. They only made this shorter, thicker version and released it with both guns. There are more details regarding this and other shortcomings of this kit in my build report at panzer-modell.de/berichte/m40/m40e.php So, you will "only" have to find a replacement for the aluminum front part of the tube. Decades ago, Verlinden had a resin conversion set for Italeri's M107; maybe that might help, if you could find it. Good luck, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted April 19, 2018 Author Share #23 Posted April 19, 2018 Hi Peter, OUTSTANDIG build report, wow! Thanks very much for the hint, I'll check this at the weekend. Maybe the Verlinden conversion set is still available... Danke & Horrido - Joho! Lars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtyScout Posted April 20, 2018 Share #24 Posted April 20, 2018 Hi Peter, OUTSTANDIG build report, wow! Thanks very much for the hint, I'll check this at the weekend. Maybe the Verlinden conversion set is still available... Danke & Horrido - Joho! Lars Hey Lars, Don't wait too long; you know that Verlinden went out of business. I hope you find it and if you do it should be at a very nice price. Good luck. Semper Fi. Manny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PzAufkl Posted April 20, 2018 Share #25 Posted April 20, 2018 Lars, Just came across another reference, especially for the M43 projo racks: panzerserra.blogspot.de/2017/02/m43-howitzer-motor-carriage-203mm-t89.html Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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