Here are my latest builds. They are both for a customer and will be on a desk set facing each other with a name plate in the middle. Both are basically OOB with a few scratch additions such as the HALON bottle boxes on either side of the MLRS cab and the added grab rail up top for the TC. There are also a few modifications on the Paladin such as reshaping the vent on the APU on the left side of the turret, adding the radiator overflow hose on the front deck, and repositioning the dust cover on the top of the mantlet to elevate the gun tube. On to the pics...

M270A1 MLRS



More Pics here.


M109A6 Paladin



More Pics here.

As always, all comments are welcome.

Looks good as allways Gino. Are the decals home made?

Erik

Sir,
Your gonna leave your legacy at every base you visit, aren't ya?

Great as always sir!

Wouldn't mind making one of those m109's
It's freaking cool

David

A couple of very nice builds you got there

Thanks guys. Glad you like them. The decals are home-made. I made them using ink-jet decal paper on my home computer. They are a little thick, but will do.

Gino very nice. Did you model these for any particular unit? Is this for anyone in particular?

Pete, nice to "hear" your "voice"

Jeff

Thanks Jeff. These will be a farewell gift for the CSM of 2-20 FA (MLRS). The markings are accurate for 2-20 FA. The launcher is marked correctly, but with a fictitious bumper #, HQ 9 is actually the CSM's HMMWV. The Paladin is marked the same, in 2-20 FA markings, which is not correct since 2-20 is MLRS pure, but that is what the buyer wanted; so be it. I should have the base done and mount them tonight. I'll post a pic when it is all done.

Gino, as usual, these are absolutely terriffic! I know they'll be a proud addition to the CSM's desk!

I was interested to see that these are from 2/20. Before it was inactivated (along with all the rest of the USAR Combat Arms units in 1993), I was the Bn XO for 4/20 in Lansing, MI, and we were equipped with M110A2's. I've already completed my vehicle (a HMMWV, HQ-5), and after I complete my current project, I'm going to do 2 M110A2s, 1 M548, and an M88A1 all as 20th FA vehicles. Nice to see the old "Regiment" is still around.

Excellent builds!

Tom

Looking good Gino, a pity that those 2 great pieces will not have anymore weathering, but that´s your costumers choice.

A question, what paint you used for both builds?

Cheers

Thanks guys. Tom, yup, the 20th Regiment is still going strong. Your builds sound interesting. I'll have to keep an eye out for them. I used the paint I always use for modern US, sand vehicles; Testors Model Master Sand, FS#33531.

Both Killer Builds Gino.

Great work allover and a great finish just the way they should be.

Thanks for the Look and of cause saved for future use.

Very nice builds, Gino. What is this, your 12th MLRS by now? You can probably assemble the kit in your sleep.

By the way, do you have the dimensions for the halon boxes on the sides of the MLRS? I have a couple in the stash waiting to be built at some point.

Thanks guys. I think you are right. It is about my 12th MLRS model I have done over the years. Curiously though, it is the first I have taken good pics of and posted. I don't have the exact dims for the actual HALON boxes. I used the storage boxes from the back of an M109A2/3 kit. The boxes I used are 17mm high, 8mm wide, and 4mm deep. They are a little big, but close enough for me.

Yeah, I agree if it were me I would want to see a bit more weathering, or at least shadowing, but if that is what the customer wants...

Pete, very good to see that you are back.

Bob

Here is the finished product. A name plate will go across the center bottom, below the coins.

Those are two great looking builds, with one sweet looking display base!

Is the 109 the Italeri kit?

They turned out great.. The base really adds a nice touch.

Excellent desk piece Gino, great job.

Joe

Nice builds Gino

its good to continue seeing your work.

is it the Dragon MLRS?

cheers

Keith

I guess you have to be a CSM for such a desk piece... Excellent work Gino.
Btw, I guess the Paladin is the Italeri one? Could you say a few words about how it goes together? I have this one in my stash and plan to build it soon (yeah, I got the motivation from seeing yours...).

Erik

Thanks guys. They were fun to build.

The M109A6 Paladin is the Italeri kit. It goes together well. I had no real issues with it. I does require a couple tweaks though. First, on the hull top, there is a crescent-shaped raised area just in front of the turret opening. This is part of the water flotation system from earlier versions. To be totally correct, it should be removed and the deck should be flat in that area. I just slice down the angled ends on this piece to make it less noticeable and do not add parts 53 either. Also, on the APU exhaust on the front left turret, it should not have a raised lip, but be flat with 3 screw holes at the 10, 2, and 6 o'clock positions. I used the rubber band tracks, which can be used effectively once you remove 2 links. I recommend the Skybow/AFV Club tracks for it though.

The MLRS is the Dragon kit. It has no real problems either. Take your time assembling the cab and LLM to make sure they are square. I replaced the antenna bases with resin ones since the kit ones just don't look right to me. I added the HALON boxes on the cab sides. I used left over storage boxes from an M109A2/3 kit. They are a little big, but work for me. Their size is 17mm high, 8mm wide, and 4mm deep. I also changed out the tow pintle. The DML one is horrible. I added the grab rail for the TC on the roof as well.

Glad I have been an inspiration to some of you. I'm looking forward to seeing some more arty builds in the future.

Thanks for the answer, I thaught it was a different colour since in the pics the sand appear a bit pink. Great builds nevertheless.

Cheers

Great job.

Gino,

Very nice, as usual. Going to date myself here, but back in the day, there was a mount on the driver's side for an M8 (I believe) chemical alarm. Do they still mount those, or have they gone the way of the dinosaur?