Hey guys, I was just looking for some opinions on who makes the best M109 Howitzer kit and what aftermarket sets would be required, Thanks a bunch, as I have little knowledge of this vehicle.

Dan,

The M109A6 from Riich is coming out. If you want a Paladin, wait for that one!

Italeri makes some of the earlier variants (and a Paladin too).

AM? Riich indy links and a turned barrel and PE for the Italeri kits (don't know yet how the Riich will be, so can't say if AM will be needed. Does look like it'll be many steps up on the Italeri kit).

Mike

Thanks Mike, do you have any intel on the AFV Club kiy? I see that it comes with a nice looking turned aluminum barrel and some older posts on here seem to praise it pretty well.

From what I understand, the Tamiya, Bronco and AFV Club kits are reboxes of the Italeri kit.

The AFV Club kit is a brand new kit....it has nothing to do with Italeri's previous releases.

The AFV Club kit is the best M-109 kit on the market currently.

The Tamiya M-109 kit is a re-box of the Italeri kit.

Depends which version you're after.

The "straight" M109 (as opposed to M109A2, M109A3, M109A6, etc...) is only available from Italeri.

Cheers,

Christophe

...and Tamiya...

http://www.tamiya.com/english/products/37013m109_vietnam/index.htm

In another thread, speculation is high on whether AFV Club will do the M109. I don't know yet. So the best possibility will be a mix of Italeri parts on the AFV Club hull and chassis. Aftermarket flotation box and mounting lugs (on the hull front) should be available before long.

Jason,
Isn't the Tamiya kit just a repack of the Italeri with the some old accessories sprue and a couple of figures?

Correct!

I've been building the AFV M109A2, and it is an outstanding kit. It is an all new kit, not based on any earlier release from any other manufacturer. Fit is right on, and the details are pretty amazing. If you wanted to do a full interior (or even partial), all of the doors and hatches can be made operational, and all of the gun bits are inside the turret. Low points are attachments to sprues for many of the tiny details can be a challenge, but it also means that there is little need for aftermarket, especially PE. Also, I have bought a track set for it (plastic from AFV) to replace the rubber band tracks. I highly recommend this kit, if it's the version that you are looking for.

Dan,
Google search M109 and Italeri, Tamiya, AFV Club, Riich, and...Kinetic. There's a fair amount out there on the different kits.

Mike

TacFire baby! You yell, I shell!

AFV Club is also working on an M109A6 Paladin. It is due out soon. They released a test shot of it last week.

I will be getting this once it hits our shore!!

Thanks for all your help, guys. After further readings, I think I'm going to go to go with the M109A2 from AFV club. Thanks again for all the help!

Dan

Wow heavy / love that gun barrel!