I saw in this months Squadron flyer that they have one of these kits from Hobby Boss for sale. Now $15 is a considerable difference. I have the 155mm gun kit. What is the difference in the 2 Hobby Boss kits? Isn't it the same vehicle even though one says 90mm gun and the other 155 and 208mm. I figure a diorama of sorts so I'll have the gun deployed (recommend some figures as in Dragon or Tamiya)with figures and the tractor nearby.

Steve - the Ammunition Stowage Boxes are different in the kits. The Squadron Sale price is very good for a kit of this quality, I took advantage of it.

My understanding is that there is a significant difference in the ammunition stowage area. The major reason for this difference would be related to the type and size of the ammunition.

The 90mm AA gun used "fixed ammo" with a brass case. The powder is in the brass case and the projectile is fixed to the case. I am no expert on AA ammo, but I would guess that even the fuses would be fixed....normally either fuse-time or fuse-VT(variable time).

The 155mm and 8 inch (203mm) weapons used "separate loading ammunition". For the separate loading ammo, there is no brass case for the round. Instead, the projectiles (projo), fuse and powder are all stored and carried separately and combined into a round during firing.

Again I am no expert in the M-4 HST, but I would expect to see some kind of a rack or racks to hold fixed ammo in the version for the 90mm AA gun. Likewise, i would expect to see separate areas for projos, powder and fuses in the 155mm Gun / 8 inch Howitzer version.

Semper Fi,
Dave

Jim so great to hear from you again. Where have you been? Thanks for the info guys. I checked out prices at Lucky Models and found the 155mm kit version with shipping to be a $5 savings over even the one on sale. Now all I need is a US Artillery figure set. DOes Tamiya or Dragon do one of these? I would hate to have to cough up $50 or so bucks buying some resin versions.

Well Steve, I got sick for a little while there. I took a very long time off, changed careers and lifestyle, became a Grandpa and slowly began working back into a lot of the things I used to like to do a few months ago. I'm trying to be around more often now...