Mike Del Vecchio provides an In-Box Review of Trumpeter's M198 155mm Medium Towed Howitzer in 1/35.

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Great review . It's intereasting to see allot more modern Armour!.

It will be intereasting to see how this kit builds up.

Another nice modern addition. I don't know what "early" means in the description, and I could not find any mention of different variants on a search, but I do know that Stryker brigades use(d) them and they were towed by the M1083 FMTV 5 ton truck, which by all accounts will be released later by Trumpeter. So there appear to be some other opportunities in towing the M198.

Having said that, what is the difference between the early version and the late version?

Bob

http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA249392&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf

This might help shed some light on that. This appears to be the PIP that led to the M198A1. There also appears to be an M198A2.

Very nice review. Having chiefed the M198 I can only tell you a few of the differences in the older version. I'm not sure if the upgrades constituted an actual designation between early and late, but these are some of the differences:
Early models did not have the reinforcing gussets around the area of the travel lock, and the wheel/tire combo was not sufficient for the weight of the gun. They were later changed as the tires were prone to blowouts. There were also problems with the original trunnions, which were replaced as well. Brake pressure guages were added to more easily monitor the brake pressure.

ETA: Wow. Apparently a lot more involved, according to the post above mine. Most of those changes will remain unseen.

One thing I am curious about: Does the PE barrel shroud have the perforations in it? One of our artillery experts on here claimed there were no perforations on the real thing, which is untrue. I'm curious if the kit portrays this feature.

James - Thanks

Bob - Yep, this big boy needs a 5 ton. The upcoming Trumpeter release is the M1078 with only a single rear axel......wrong truck. I'm sure it will come in another variant but at least not until next year.

You will just have to stick with "my generation" for now....M923

Joe - Thanks for the info

18 Bravo - To answer your question, yes the barrel shroud is perforated

Rounds Complete!!

Cool! A plastic 2 piece barrel! Now I can spend all my time fiddling to get it aligned. Sigh...
I guess this is why they call it "modeling".

It sounds like a great kit, but now there is a new piece of artillary for us modern kit builders.

I just got my kit two days ago and your review helped a lot in my decision to get it although I have been looking for this artillery piece for a while now. About the barrel, will it not be too heavy if it were metal considering its length and size

The M1083 will in fact be released sometime in the future.

Check out this thread.. scroll down a bit and you will see pics posted by Iamsu.

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/133398&page=2

Hisham

Noli - I'm glad the review helped. As far as the metal barrel weight, I would not think so, yes it is long, but if it were a problem, you could add counter weight to the hollow trails.

Hisham - Thanks for the link. I figured once they came out with the 1078, likr the have done with the Stryker, there would be other kits of the different variants.

I'm old school, almost all the time the M198 has been in service, it has been towed by M923/5 series. That will complete my system!

Rounds Complete!!

Nice looking howitzer, great addition to the modern armor models.