Brian Culbertson gives us an in box review of Tamiya''s "British 25pdr. Field Gun."

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Glad to see these older kits being reviewed. There was a dealer at the local modeler's show this weekend with a $#@%load of older Tamiya kits are very attractive prices, so it's helpful to know which ones are worth tackling without throwing a ton of brass at them or needing extensive resin modifications.

From what I've read the ammunition boxes could all do with replacing. If you're building the version without the muzzle brake, you'll have to remove the counterweight for it from just in front of the breech block. Not sure how thick the plastic is there so you may have to do some patching as well as carving. It also lacks a firing lever as well as some detail from the sights.

Figures need a bit of work too, as you really only need one on the RHS side of the gun to operate the breech lever and ram the shell home before the cartridge is loaded.

David

Hey Bill,
I've noticed that too, and agree that some older kits need alot of updating. But has you know, The kit was it back in the day. You were lucky...... .

Hey David,
Thx for the heads up. I've chosen the muzzle brake version, '43 version, I believe. Yes, the ammo boxes aren't that great and aftermarket would be the way to go. I'll have to check on the firing lever.

I'll be starting the build blog on the 25pdr. shortly.

Hi Brian,

I have a good set of reference pics from IWM London if they might help. It's the version without the muzzle break though? Another project in the build pile!

Al

The handle of the firing lever is visible close to the centre of this photo, adjacent to the row of hex bolts attaching the counterweight, rest of it is just a flat bar.



David

Great to see this one being reviewed here. Thanks!

If this review could be improved, it would be the inclusion of some close up shots of individual parts.

I'm looking forward to seeing your build log mate.

Chas

Hi David,

Thx for the pix. Clears the air on the firing lever, now I know what to look for.


Hi Chas,

Thx, I'll try not to let you down on the build blog.

Hi Brian,

Here you go.































I have the gun and limber left over from my attempt at the FATs, plus the Eduard PE set so sometime I'll get around to trying to build one like this.

Look forward to the build.

Al

Hi Guys,

if you're looking for a good reference the Military Vehicle Workshop Series ARTY - 03 on the 25pounder and Gun Limber is pretty good. ISBN: 978-1-84768-997-9

Costs £3.00.

I got a copy from

http://www.barbarossabooks.co.uk/

No connection to the site.

Al

Hi Alan,

Again, Thx for the photo's. Those will help out alot with the build. Plus the book Ref. as well.

I have built 3 of these and I always struggle with the sighting device, it never looks or sits right.

Darren,

Thx for heads up on that. I'll see how is one goes.

BTW, How's the Sturmtiger coming along?

Good Review Brian, well done!

Still a great little number this kit, cheap and cheerful, have two in my stash for safe keeping

..I was lucky enough to fire one of these for real a few years ago (on the wink and the nod of course), fairly accurate gun for its age and an ideal weapons platform for initial arty crew training still to this day!

Because of the rate of fire the 25 pounder could let loose with a good gun crew the Germans believed it was loaded automatically. The Sturm Kitty and the M1A2 SEP are on hold until I get another camera, so I should be running again by the end of the month.

Darren,

Sorry to hear about the cam going out on you.

Your right about the rate of fire, I just spaced about adding that to the review. Multi-tasking is hard when driving down the road in a snow storm. KIDDING.