M-108 105mm Howitzer - Italeri/Skybow
Colorado, United States
Joined: December 25, 2004
KitMaker: 3,770 posts
Armorama: 2,263 posts
Posted: Friday, June 01, 2012 - 02:21 PM UTC
Modeling ADHD kicked in again.
I've had this kit for quite some time, just waiting for me. I've been perusing the forums here and will be taking note of the M-108 builds I've seen.
This is Italeri's M-108 and Skybow's T-136 links:
Got started on the hull:
I'm really looking forward to getting this one done up.
Mike
Canada
Joined: December 30, 2011
KitMaker: 902 posts
Armorama: 788 posts
Posted: Friday, June 01, 2012 - 06:05 PM UTC
Overijssel, Netherlands
Joined: March 25, 2006
KitMaker: 1,244 posts
Armorama: 1,226 posts
Posted: Friday, June 01, 2012 - 06:31 PM UTC
Nice one, and a classic as well.
Here's a walkaround to wet your appetite:
http://www.primeportal.net/artillery/cesar_ferreira/m108/cheers,
Marc
"A black cat crossing your path signifies that the animal is going somewhere."
Groucho Marx
New Jersey, United States
Joined: March 11, 2007
KitMaker: 872 posts
Armorama: 831 posts
Posted: Friday, June 01, 2012 - 11:56 PM UTC
Mike - Off to a good start.
Here is a link to my M108 build and log. Hope you can use it.
http://www.redleg2scale.com/model%20gallery/M108R2.htmlI will be here in my bunker with my eyes on your firing point!!
Rounds Complete!!
The Moral High Ground..a Great Place to Emplace Artillery
Colorado, United States
Joined: December 25, 2004
KitMaker: 3,770 posts
Armorama: 2,263 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 02, 2012 - 12:19 AM UTC
Roy, I'm looking forward to this one being done too, but will savor the things that'll need to be done to it to get it "right."
Thanks Marc, the walk around photos have shown me a couple nice details I'll tweek.
Mike, yours is one of the blogs I've followed, watched. It'll be a big help.
Mike
Joined: October 03, 2007
KitMaker: 1,388 posts
Armorama: 1,357 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 02, 2012 - 05:34 AM UTC
that's the track I learned to drive on! Was told to avoid the big dead tree out in the middle of the field, and of course I drove right strait into it!!!!!! Shot a dozen or so rounds thru one, but really don't remember much about them as I was only on one about three or four days.
I kinda hope that the folks that came out with the new M109 will also later do a new M108. They are already half way there!
gary
Colorado, United States
Joined: December 25, 2004
KitMaker: 3,770 posts
Armorama: 2,263 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 15, 2015 - 06:45 PM UTC
I've brought life back to this old girl.
The little brass screen is to replicate the grill over the exhaust. This first iteration didn't work so well. I'll do another.
Removed the boxes that go to the 109-series. I really think I'll remove the molded on cleaning rods and replace them with aluminum and brass rod::
I pulled some good reference photos for tiedowns, so I have a pack of Aber to replace all the molded ones and add those that are missing.
The Skybow tracks fit the drive sprockets quite well:
Mike
Colorado, United States
Joined: December 25, 2004
KitMaker: 3,770 posts
Armorama: 2,263 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 09, 2016 - 02:04 AM UTC
Some detail on the roof; new cleaning rods (brass tube and brass rod).
Mike
Bayern, Germany
Joined: October 14, 2008
KitMaker: 4,099 posts
Armorama: 4,067 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 09, 2016 - 03:02 AM UTC
CAD Images mean nothing.
What does a rivet counter count on a cast or welded tank hull?
Colorado, United States
Joined: December 25, 2004
KitMaker: 3,770 posts
Armorama: 2,263 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 09, 2016 - 03:24 AM UTC
I looked at those HH but didn't see a huge difference. Wasn't sure that it would be worth the cost.
Mike
Australia
Joined: June 16, 2007
KitMaker: 193 posts
Armorama: 184 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 09, 2016 - 03:54 AM UTC
Fire Mission Battery.
Great to see, I've been chasing for ages, and finally found one. I read a little book about us Aussies getting a battery on loan from you guys so have wanted to do an Aussie one. Have made their M-109 and the tracks are a problem so thanks for the heads up on those tracks, look great. Your gun tube work looks good as well, and within my range of abilities.
I will be following for inspiration, the book was called "more bang for less buck" if interested.
Been a long time since we were blessed with SP arty.
Can wait for fire for effect, looks like you be doing a great job if this is any indication.
Out.
Colorado, United States
Joined: December 25, 2004
KitMaker: 3,770 posts
Armorama: 2,263 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 09, 2016 - 05:32 AM UTC
Thanks Scott. I have several things going on...so I'll pick at this one more often than the others. I have a LOT of tie-downs (PE) to add and several bolts are missing. And reworking all the engine access "handles." All of which are within an average modeler's skill sets. Easy stuff that makes a big difference.
I think the Aussie gun would be really neat.
More to follow.
Mike
Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 09, 2016 - 06:06 AM UTC
Looking great Mike. Great job so far.
Field Artillery --- The KING of BATTLE!!!
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
Showcase
Colorado, United States
Joined: December 25, 2004
KitMaker: 3,770 posts
Armorama: 2,263 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 09, 2016 - 11:31 AM UTC
Thanks Gino. If you or Mike Del V see me messing up, let me know!
Mike
#424
Queensland, Australia
Joined: April 23, 2015
KitMaker: 4,648 posts
Armorama: 2,248 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 09, 2016 - 02:30 PM UTC
When I was stationed at Camp Lejeune, I served in an M-109A3 battery. That's the same turret and chassis as your model, but sporting a long barrelled 155mm howitzer with a massive muzzle brake.
I will tell you some things that may help in your build.
Paint wear is most on the light covers and other protruding parts. She seems to be built of aluminum alloys. The only place you'll find rust is on the tracks after a few days of idleness. After a few minutes of churning through dirt, the metal parts of the track become nice and clean white metal.
The lower reaches of the louvres over the engine are a sooty black. Paint shows on the top of the louvres.
I used to hate putting the net up over the dang thing. It Seemed to have a million points for the net to snag, and not one comfortable place to sit.
One time, I'd placed a fuzed HE shell on the loading tray and just before I could use the hydraulic ram, the gunner started to elevate. The round slid off the tray and was bouncing around (all 96lbs of it) loudly inside the weapon. It must have hit the deck five or six times, but never hitting the fuze.. Everyone abandoned the piece in panic except for me and the gunner. it was quite embassasing. A few minutes later we completed the fire mission. Few things draw the ire of the chain of command like a botched or miss-timed fire mission.
Sorry for my nostalgic story.
Enjoy your build!
Gary
"Artillery adds dignity, to what would otherwise be an ugly brawl."
Frederick The Great
Joined: October 03, 2007
KitMaker: 1,388 posts
Armorama: 1,357 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 10, 2016 - 11:30 AM UTC
Quoted Text
When I was stationed at Camp Lejeune, I served in an M-109A3 battery. That's the same turret and chassis as your model, but sporting a long barrelled 155mm howitzer with a massive muzzle brake.
I will tell you some things that may help in your build.
Paint wear is most on the light covers and other protruding parts. She seems to be built of aluminum alloys. The only place you'll find rust is on the tracks after a few days of idleness. After a few minutes of churning through dirt, the metal parts of the track become nice and clean white metal.
The lower reaches of the louvres over the engine are a sooty black. Paint shows on the top of the louvres.
I used to hate putting the net up over the dang thing. It Seemed to have a million points for the net to snag, and not one comfortable place to sit.
One time, I'd placed a fuzed HE shell on the loading tray and just before I could use the hydraulic ram, the gunner started to elevate. The round slid off the tray and was bouncing around (all 96lbs of it) loudly inside the weapon. It must have hit the deck five or six times, but never hitting the fuze.. Everyone abandoned the piece in panic except for me and the gunner. it was quite embassasing. A few minutes later we completed the fire mission. Few things draw the ire of the chain of command like a botched or miss-timed fire mission.
Sorry for my nostalgic story.
Enjoy your build!
Gary
like I said I shot the 108 about a half dozen times, and drove head on into the big dead tree! The one thing I remember most about shooting the 109 was the smoke and gas inside the turret! They told us there was a new version coming out with exhaust fans. Cleaning the bore vac was the single worst thing you had to do on a 109.
I was actually glad to be sent to the M107 / M110 SPG's. Even changing that 19,000 pound barrel was easier!
gary
Colorado, United States
Joined: December 25, 2004
KitMaker: 3,770 posts
Armorama: 2,263 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 23, 2016 - 01:54 AM UTC
I've replaced the engine deck "latches" and will be adding the tie-downs shortly. Picture(s) to follow.
Mike
Colorado, United States
Joined: December 25, 2004
KitMaker: 3,770 posts
Armorama: 2,263 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 31, 2016 - 06:39 AM UTC
Didn't get to the tie-downs yet, but did add the two hinges I cast:
And here's the scratch engine hatch handles:
Mike
Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 31, 2016 - 07:13 PM UTC
Its looking really good Mike. Nice job on the turret roof. You can't even tell it has been modified. The engine/battery hatch handles look good too. Keep up the good work.
Field Artillery --- The KING of BATTLE!!!
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
Showcase
United States
Joined: June 18, 2012
KitMaker: 459 posts
Armorama: 195 posts
Posted: Friday, April 22, 2016 - 04:40 AM UTC
Nice build ,Reminds me I remember seeing a battery of these at a FSB just south of Saigon in 1968 on my way to the 2/38 inf FSB in Rach Kien RVN (9th Div) even had a Polaroid photo of them some where but lost it someplace over the years, hope it turns out like you want
