Hi Guys,

As many of you know I ran a more British Trucks Plea to Plastic Manufacturers thread which has been running these last 2 years or so.

Whether or not this had any effect is unknown, but I did highllight the gaping hole in the market and we have seen developments in the British Trucks field from Plastic Manafacturers that point to hope for the future.

I'd like to drum up support for another plea this time for some British Artillery in 1/35 plastic. This is another area where kits are sadly lacking. Currently I can think of only 3/4 artillery pieces available. By artilery I mean mortars, anti tank guns, main artillery pieces and anti aircraft guns. Currently available are:

The Tamiya 25 pdr
The Tamiya 6 pdr

The above 2 are well over 30 year old.

The Vulcan 2 Pdr
The Vision Models 75mm pack
The Bronco 40mm Bofors

These three are recent releases so all is not lost but it still leaves a hugh gap in the market.

Bishop 25pdr

Sorry I can't recall who makes this one.

Here's my choice of what's needed

3inch Mortar
4.2 Inch Mortar
6pdr early (N Africa)
6pdr (late NWE)
6pdr (airborne)
17pdr anti tank gun
25mm Hotchkiss anti tank gun (BEF)


Heavier Weapons

A new 25pdr, giving early and late build options
3.7 inch HAA Gun
4.5 inch Gun ( I think there was a Mk I, MK II version)
5.5 inch gun (again I think there were Mk I, Mk II and Mk III versions of this)
7.2 inch Howitzer

Tracked Weapons

Sexton 25 pdr
Archer (is one possible from MiniArt in their Valentine range?)
Bishop ( I know there is an old kit of the Bishop around somewhere)

I am not an artillery expert so if you know of either more current kits available or other WW2 British Aritllery pieces you would like to see but please add them in.

I know some excellent examples of the above already exist in resin but plastic is the only affordable material for many, so would you be prerpared to join the call for more British World War 2 Artillery pieces? I hope so.

Many thanks

Alan

Hey Al,
Like you, I'd like to see the major manufacturers supply us with new kits of everything you listed above.
BTW, the 25pdr Bishop was originally kited by VM and or Alan and then later reissued by Dragon along with the VM/Alan Valentine Mk. III as part of their Imperial series.
I have two of each in my stash.
Dragon added new tracks, decals and a snappy tank commander in shorts holding a map-board.
Hopefully MiniArt will produce a Bishop as part of their new Valentine line.
Cheers

jjumbo

Hi John,

welcome along and thanks for the info on the Bishop.

Al

Al,

Plastic kits of heavy arty like the 4.5" and 7.2" would be well received, and would open a market for lots of lovely plastic prime movers like the Scammel and others. Resin isn't an option for many not just for price but also because it doesn't behave like plastic...

Let's hope the manufacturers have their ears open!

Tom

oh, the 25pdr! I want that one too!

Hi Tom,

There has been a little movement on the British Truck front so hope there and then what do they tow lol, lol. I am hopeful we will see at least 1 Prime Mover in the not too distant future.

The whole area of trucks, artillery and trailers is wide open for choice.

Hi Matan,

Thanks for joining in.

Al

Al,

Thanks for mentioning this on the other site. Add my name to the list. I'd particularly like to see some heavy field artillery

BTW, Sovereign2000 did a 2pnd gun in resin a few years ago, but that may not be relevant since this is about plastic

R~

Definitely count on my support as well.

Priorities? Six-Pounder, 17 Pounder, 5.5". 7.2 would be a bit of a 'luxury' item in certain respects but nevertheless welcome.

Unfortunately, this drifts into a Chicken & Egg situation. Unless we get some good Prime-Movers (Matador etc.) the heavier guns look less likely. The lighter equipment such as the 6-Pounder is VERY viable as is the 17. CMPs are available and more in-progress.

We also need a NEW Universal Carrier (Loyds or Windsors for preference) which would also help...

Don't know much about British artillery but definitely count me in. I've got pretty much all 1/35 WWII German artillery kits (various manufacturers) and one used by the U.S. and so I would love to add some British pieces to my collection.

Just so I learn something, can anyone tell me which were the most popular British artillery pieces in WWII?

Rob

Hi folks,

Thanks for joining in.

Rob,

Not an artillery expert but the 25pdr was the main stay in the Field Regiments of the Royal Artillery. Medium Regiments 3.7, and 4.5, (?) Heavy Regiments 5.5 and 7.2 inch. (?) That seems a logical breakdown but I may be wrong.

Here is a link to Derek Bartons site, whcih is an excellent resource for those interested in the Royal Artillery.

http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/index.html

I'd agree with Jim in order to see some of the Heavies a Matador or similar would need to appear.

Don't forget manufacturers, all those shell and ammo sets that could follow .gun crews etc. etc.

Cheers

Al

Thanks for breaking these down, Alan. Will look for those.

Rob

Hi Guys,

Off to a good start 6 replies and 182 hits.

Don't be shy guys.

Al

Heller offers the 25 mm Hotchkiss antitank gun, but it dates from 1977, and is pretty basic (sometimes boxed separately or with the heavy machine gun team, and sometimes included in the box with the H-35 and R-35 light tank kits). Azimut offers a nice brass and resin update set for it.

Hey, I am ready for some Brittish artillery and crewmen. I have the 25 pounder and would like to see more guns.......Al

It would also be nice if they made the 57mm version used by US Forces.

John

Number one the list is a good 6 pounder. Even better is if DML were to do it as a two in one kit and also include parts to make it a U.S. 57mm. (yes I know this is supposed to be about British Artillery but my Dad served on a U.S. 57mm and I don't want to hassle with a resin kit.) Number Two would be a 17 pounder

A new and improved Universal Carrier would be great, as would a Matador.

"And now for something completely different..." how about a really BIG gun, something along the lines of one of the 13.5 inch railway guns. Give us Allied modelers something to show the German guys when they trot out a Dora.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for joining in.

Al

yep... It would be nice to see some new arty.....Hey even a new 25 lber would be great ...

Rick

Well while were at it what about a Mack heavy gun tractor or Diamond T Trucks?
The Diamond Ts were used by just about every allied armed forces during WW2 and well into the post war years.
Accurate Armor do the Diamond Ts but they are very expensive albeit very nice models.

Luke

There is no project I like to work on more, than a little vignette featuring an artillery piece. They make such a great little scene. However, while the focus here seems to be on the "big guns", I would also like to put in a vote for the mortars you mentioned. There are a few good kits of them out there, but I'd love to see the detail todays new technologies could bring out.

Cheers,
Mike

um what about the poor old 6 inch howitzer in ww2 vintage ie tobruk and other aif battles.

Hello,

Agreed. However, I am interested in seeing more WW1 British Artillery kits. Scale Link has one or two (and the new ones are just terrible) but these are metal.

Here is my Scale Link 4.5 inch howitzer. I had to scratch all of the details on the trail including grab handle, oblong cover, and other bits. Since there are so few WW1 pieces I have to make do.



We need the following WW1 British Pieces but I will never expect to see any in plastic

12 or 15 Inch Howitzer
8 Inch Howitzer
6 Inch Gun

A new resin in France called Blitz is making some WW1 pieces including the 6 inch Gun but I don't know when it will be released.

Rob

I'd like to add my voice to the call for British Artillery.
I'd like it if Miniart would consider doing a series of 6 pdrs of various marks including the US M1. I always thought DML would do this first and do a range of different crews for them.
I'd really like to see the
6 pdr and1 pdr AT guns
4/5.5 Howitzer
3.7 " AA
Sexton SPG
Archer SPG

I'm quietly optimitic a few of these will surface within the year. Fianlly manufacturers are looking to carve a niche and the Briti stuff has proved to be quite a viable niche like DML and TASCA Shermans. For years we wre told these would never sell, surprise surprise that they did (NOT).
Cheers
Al

Yes to a new 6 lb gun . ( did the Russians get this thru lend lease ? That might be a plus to get MiniArt to do a few ) Also a new 25 lb gun with a ETO crew. Never did master the art of painting sunburned Brits (Tamiya kit) lol

Morning folks,

Thank you Gentlemen for joining the call.


Al