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Modeller Build Logs
M-12 155mm GMC |
| By Hans Haase | | Started: | Mar 1, 2007 | | Updated: | Sep 2, 2007 |
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The M-12 is, in allied terms, a somewhat rare vehicle. 100 of these self propelled artillery pieces were built in 1942 and 1943 for the purpose of training and were based on M3 medium tank chassis, with the then-standard M1917/M1918M1 155mm gun of French design.
As the actual invasion of Europe got closer, it was decided that the standard 105mm M7 self-propelled howitzer may be too small for dealing with stronger fixed emplacements, and a number of M-12's were modernized and upgraded for combat use. These became the largest self-propelled US artillery deployed in Europe and saw heavy use throughout the European campaign.
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| Rounding up the Pieces | Mar 1, 2007 |
On todays Menu for the M-12 GMC build, we have the following.
The base kit will be the quite lovely Academy M-12 GMC in 1:35 scale. This is one of their finest kits based on the M3/M4 medium tank chassis, and suffers from very few glaring issues. Most needed corrections are simply due to the limitations of plastic molding, though I have already identified a few glaring suspension issues that are unique to the M12 and components used.
As more of an extra, than a fix, I'm going to add the Verlinden M12 set. This will include a complete engine compartment as well as a number of minor improvements throughout the vehicle. It also includes a fairly large PE sheet, though much of it is duplicated in better form by the other PE sets I've acquired.
The other big additions will be the Eduard PE set, which is fairly standard for Sherman based vehicles but also includes a very nice gun shield. Then there is a Barrel Depot aluminum tube for the 155mm main gun.
Lastly, I have also gotten ahold of the extremely nice PE sheet from the DML Sherman III for possible sandshields and PE fenders. Lastly, I may or may not be using an Armor Research fender set.
Tracks, I haven't decided on yet as I need to choose which vehicle to model first and I have to see what decals may be available. |
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