After building a bunch of Abrams, I am getting back to some artillery pieces.

My latest build is the Mouse House M119 105mm towed howitzer. This is the current light howitzer used by US forces since about 1994.


The kit is an all resin affair from Australia. Overall it is pretty nice kit. The casting is good with a bit of flash, but not too much to deal with. The parts were marked well, with large numbers on the pour blocks. The instructions are horrible though. They are basically blurry pics with arrows pointing to nondescript areas to attach the parts. I used photos from Prime Portal and pics of my brother Mike "Redleg12"'s build of the same kit as a references in lieu of the directions to assist in where the parts went. I have also served on M119s, so I used what I remembered as well.

I updated the kit to M119A1 standards as well as adding a couple US items. First, I cut off the conical ends on the recuperator bottle on top of the barrel so they are flat and added a couple bolt plates there. I also added the chronograph bracket on top of the forward cross member above the barrel. Next, I added a section of tubing that runs down the right side of the cradle up to the breech. Lastly, I added the pole at the end of the cradle used to move the gun laterally to adjust fire.

Here are the pics.





That's it so far. Next up is some paint and accessories. I will be doing a small dio for it on a firing point, possibly with a couple figures. I'll keep you posted.

As always, all comments welcomed.

Thanks for looking.

Very nice....seems to be moving along nicely

Nothing like a good artillery build

Rounds Complete!!

Looks good Gino

Anthony and Mike - Thanks. It has been a fun build (if not frustrating at times) so far.

Hi Gino. Looking good so far. Don´t know much about the actual arty piece, but looking at your reference pic, if you could source a few of those sand baskets (dont know proper term), it would make for a perfect detail along with the piece as well as adding a natural background. Maybe you could scratch them from something available at home?

Frank - thanks for checking it out. The baskets are called Hesco Bastions and are part of the plan. There was a step by step on how to build them here at Armorama a while ago. They aren't that hard to do. They are also available from a couple AM companies as well. I'll keep you posted.

Sweet build Gino, 'bout time you built some artillery anyway.

Are there any US modern artillery crews available? or are you going to have to convert some other figures?

Anirudh

Thanks Anirudh. There is a semi-modern set by Azimut (if I can get them), but it would still need updating to bring them up to current uniforms and such. I may just take some modern infantrymen and change them. We'll see.

Looks great Gino! Let me know how it goes locating the figures. As hard as it is to find artillerymen in either current or Desert Storm uniforms, try to put together figures from the Cold War period in Germany!

Looking forward to seeing this one!

Tom

Thanks Tom. Yup, I am kicking myself over the Azimut Modern Arty figures. I saw a set on eBay a couple weeks ago and passed on them.

Nice work, Gino. A direct descendent of the WW2 105mm?

Sorry, it's British in origin. (L118/L119 Light Gun)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M119_howitzer

Best wishes,
Grant

Thanks Bill and Grant. Like Grant says, it is a British design that we adopted.

Nice work, as always.

Thanks Chuck.

Gino, looking good so far. Looking forward to seeing this completed.

Automatic Steel!

Thanks Thomas. I'll keep you posted.

This one's looking great, Gino!

Besides the Mouse House kit, is anyone else making these in 1/35? Just wondering...

Rob

Thanks Rob. Unfortunately, this is the only one in 1/35. There is a plastic 2-piece set in 1/72 by Airfix. That is it for M119s in any kit form.

Say your going to small now I though you texas guys liked it big!! LOL

Yeh, its a popgun, but it still packs a punch. I'm not from Texas though, I'm from Florida.

Now it's not size that matters

The M119 105 can pump out 10 rounds per minute...that is still a lot of steel...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh69tDhGblw

Good M119 flick

Rounds Complete!!

Here is the latest update on it. I painted it and got some decal markings on it. I decided to mark it as B12 from 3-319 FAR, 1BDE, 82nd ABN DIV. I made up the barrel name to add a bit to it. It still needs to be weathered and then added to the base plate.

Here it is so far.






More here.

All comments welcomed and thanks for looking.

Very nice....love the muzzle plug on the idiot cord. Good work on the decals. Looks like it is time to emplace....aiming point identified!!

Rounds Complete!!

Thanks Mike. Now it is time to prep the firing point. Advanced Party is in route.