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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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| Hull, fast progress, almost done | Jul 12, 2007 |
This section went much faster than I expected. Mostly due to the Eduard, Verlinden and Academy parts being pretty accurate for this part. So no real scratch-work was needed. I just proceeded along assembling the various parts from the different sets which I considered best. This area proceeded a lot faster than I expected, and was quite pleasant. I think I used almost the entire Eduard sheet with only a couple pieces omitted or replaced. The Verlinden also came in a bit handy with the early type air cleaners, more accurate seat cushions, and fairly nice fire extinguishers. Stowage will all come later.
One odd note is that of all the PE fender sets I gathered, I didn't like any of them for this use. The DML set from their Sherman III didn't quite fit. The Armor Research ones were less detailed. So I ended up using the Academy fenders after all. They aren't bad, just like any plastic fender they are a bit thick. I did thin the edges down a bit, but not too much.
One thing I do have to say is you MUST decide on a subject vehicle before attaching the fenders and stowage boxes. There is a pretty wide variety in what is actually used, especially the fenders. It seems that every vehicle has a different combination of parts from various types of fenders, sandshields, boxes, tarp supports and so on. I've only found two vehicles that seem to have anything close to what the Academy parts provide, and all the steps they give you on the rear fenders don't seem to appear anywhere. The fender support rods also vary pretty wildly, but most seem to be flat bars welded straight to the vehicle. The Eduard parts are much to thin and have bolted ends.
Tracks also vary pretty wildly, and if you are doing a vehicle that has the extended end connectors on the tracks, you need to remove the sponson supports from a couple chapters back. |
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