_GOTOBOTTOM
Armor/AFV: Modern Armor
Modern armor in general.
Hosted by Darren Baker
Converting M40 GMC to M43 HMC?
HermannB
Visit this Community
Bayern, Germany
Joined: October 14, 2008
KitMaker: 4,099 posts
Armorama: 4,067 posts
Posted: Monday, November 21, 2011 - 09:36 AM UTC
HI all arty guys,

I have two AFV Clib M40 kits lying around here and plan to convert one into the M43 HMC. Originally, I planned to use the barrel of AFV Clubs 8 inch towed howitzer, but its OOP. Can I just cut down the kits turned barrel to lenght and drill open the muzzle to 8 inch?

TIA
Hans-Hermann
KurtLaughlin
Visit this Community
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Monday, November 21, 2011 - 01:03 PM UTC

Quoted Text

HI all arty guys,

I have two AFV Clib M40 kits lying around here and plan to convert one into the M43 HMC. Originally, I planned to use the barrel of AFV Clubs 8 inch towed howitzer, but its OOP. Can I just cut down the kits turned barrel to lenght and drill open the muzzle to 8 inch?

TIA
Hans-Hermann


Good news and Bad news: The recoiling parts of the M40 kit (the plastic) are wrong for a 155mm gun but correct for an 8-inch howitzer. Neither metal piece by AFV Club is correct, however.

KL
redleg12
Visit this Community
New Jersey, United States
Joined: March 11, 2007
KitMaker: 872 posts
Armorama: 831 posts
Posted: Monday, November 21, 2011 - 03:01 PM UTC
Besides the tube the ammunition bins are different. The M43 has verticle projectile storage and verticle powder storage

http://data3.primeportal.net/artillery/gino_quintiliani/m43_8in_howitzer/images/m43_8in_howitzer_14_of_16.jpg

The projectiles fit into the ring cutouts. The powder cans are standing in the area next to the projo storage.

Rounds Complete!!
HermannB
Visit this Community
Bayern, Germany
Joined: October 14, 2008
KitMaker: 4,099 posts
Armorama: 4,067 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 - 06:19 AM UTC
Hi guys,

thanks for the input. I guess I have to build the gun barrel from scratch. Now I wonder if the barrel from Italeri`s M110 could somehow be used. I also wonder
which kind of tracks the M43 used in Korea? The all-steel or the rubberized?

Hans-Hermann
HeavyArty
Visit this Community
Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 - 06:34 AM UTC
I have plans to do the same, using the M115 barrel. You can also use the barrel parts from Italeri's M110. Either T80 or T84 tracks are correct for Korea, both were seen on them.
KurtLaughlin
Visit this Community
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 - 01:53 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I have plans to do the same, using the M115 barrel. You can also use the barrel parts from Italeri's M110.


Gino, the AFV Club recoiling parts are the same on their 155mm and 8-inch kits. The 8-inch metal muzzle pieces is sort of right but not close enough for my liking. The Italeri kit is a good idea - I had forgotten they'd made that. Have you checked their muzzle piece in any detail? As I recall it looked better in shape but it's an unknown quantity dimensionally.

KL
 _GOTOTOP