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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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| How long is a drivetrain? | Mar 6, 2007 |
One thing I've learned dealing with aftermarket interiors, is how imporant it is to constantly test how everything fits together. In this case, I quickly realized that Verlinden made the engine slightly too big. To add further issues, they would have you build a box of thick walled resin that fits inside the engine compartment.
To correct this, I decided not to use the resin side panels as they were blank. I also transferred the details from the front panel onto the Academy firewall. This cleared up significant room. I also trimmed off the engine compartment section of the interior tray that academy gave, replacing it with a much thinner sheet of .010 styrene that covered the flaws on the inside of the hull.
Once I knew the engine was going to fit into its compartment, I also mounted part of the differential cover to the hull and the transmission to the drivers compartment floor. This let me measure up a driveshaft, which was missing in both the Academy and Verlinden kits.
I test fitted it all again with both the firewall and rear plate for the engine compartment, so now I know everything will fit. I also made sure to test with the upper hull, rear deck and rear hull plate in place, to avoid any surprises in the future.
This clears me to continue forward with adding details, though none of these large components are permanently fitted just yet. I still have some tweaking to do on the engine location, and am waiting for futher research material as I suspect many incorrect details in the interior sets. |
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