Adam Tai makes his review debut with the new AFV Club M109A2 Howitzer.

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Thanks!

My initial thought on seeing the sprues was that they came up with a way of replicating the inner lip of the road wheel by making each two pieces - similar to what they did with the Centurion, only in plastic. Upon closer examination it appears this is not the case. No inner lip. As for the border between the tire and road wheel, I'd like to see how big it is. Sounds like something that will be tedious to remove if it's too large. (any raised portion would actually be too large) Looks like there may already be something for the aftermarket companies to look into.
As for the rest - it looks very promising. The separate battery compartment hatches makes doing the interior of the compartments much easier. That IS something aftermarket companies already have loads of references on. Promise.
Nice review.

The details seem much crisper and well defined when compared to the Kinetic kit. I have been working a little on the Kinetic kit and can say it definitely benefits from the Eduard PE set to replace a lot of soft/poorly defined details. This kit looks like it would build up nice right out of the box.

Saw somewhere today that an IDF version is coming soon. Hopefully a Paladin isn't far behind. Riich Models initially said that their Paladin would be out by the end of the year but their Facebook page has been very quiet the last month.

Hopefully an M992A1/2 in not far behind!

Does any company in the states have these for sale yet, or when are they to be released here.

There is. It's behind schedule, but it's coming.

Robert, what about the gun is it already for sale in states other than ebay. if not when.

Not in the States just yet.

Looks like a beautiful kit. I hope AFV Club does a stock M-109 and maybe even an M-108.

Any info on the marking options?

Four Marking Options:

Egyptian Army Sand
Portuguese Army Olive Drab

U.S. Army

VI/11 CAV - HOW 18 NATO Camo, 5th Corp 1/11 Armored Cav Squadron, Germany

I ^ I-22-F - C-41 MERDC Camo, 1st Armored DIV, 1/22 Field Artillery, Germany (^ is an open triangle for Armored)

Robert, based on your post I checked my kit and fit two wheel halves together. It creates a nice undercut rim when assembled. It looks just like this:

http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/m109a3_62.jpg

KL

That's great news then. I really couldn't tell from the photos but I was hoping someone would finally get them right.

So...How's that tire demarcation line? Is it too noticeable?

This is looking good. After the Kinetic A2, which I deem my personal Disapointment of the Year, I am much looking forward to this. I thought the tires of the Kinetic kit were pretty good, so maybe a kitbash is in order, as I will very likely not finish the Kinetic product.
Most of the German online traders offer pre-order deals. None of them has issued an availability date, yet, but seeing the sprues definitely raises my confidence!
Chesrs,
Guido

Here
http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/m109a3_32.jpg
the real ones look to go from flush to the metal disk being slightly above the tire. The cross-sectional drawing of the 11636140 roadwheel shows that the metal should be nominally higher, but with the roadwheel disk curving under the rubber there really shouldn't be an edge. The kit parts are slightly proud of the surface with a soft edge, less than .010 I'd say. Within reason for my purposes, but easily removable if that's your desire.

KL

I'm so glad that three of these kits are coming to me from Lucky Model now
I agree with Taylor about the Kinetic kit