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Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
Modern Armor, AFVs, and Support vehicles.
Hosted by Darren Baker
M43 SP Howitzer
BootsDMS
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: February 08, 2012
KitMaker: 978 posts
Armorama: 965 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 12:23 AM UTC
I've just finished reading the excellent Tankograd "US Army in Germany 1945-1969" and came across a picture of the M43 203mm (8") SP Howitzer; I'm afraid to say that the existence of this equipment had passed me by.

I was aware of the M55 and of course the later M110, but got to thinking as to the feasibility of cross-kitting and converting - using the AFV kits of the 8" towed howitzer and the M40 155mm SP Gun; would it work? I need a bit of Gunner/Artillery expertise here!

The one picture in the Tankograd book shows 2 x equipments at Grafenwoehr but no date given. I'm assuming they would have been replaced around the late 50s with the M55?

Any comments welcome.

Brian
BootsDMS
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: February 08, 2012
KitMaker: 978 posts
Armorama: 965 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 12:35 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I've just finished reading the excellent Tankograd "US Army in Germany 1945-1969" and came across a picture of the M43 203mm (8") SP Howitzer; I'm afraid to say that the existence of this equipment had passed me by.

I was aware of the M55 and of course the later M110, but got to thinking as to the feasibility of cross-kitting and converting - using the AFV kits of the 8" towed howitzer and the M40 155mm SP Gun; would it work? I need a bit of Gunner/Artillery expertise here!

The one picture in the Tankograd book shows 2 x equipments at Grafenwoehr but no date given. I'm assuming they would have been replaced around the late 50s with the M55?

Any comments welcome.

Sorry Guys,

A false trail! I hadn't realised that HeavyArty's efforts were already available - which I've just stumbled across.

Cancel my last

Brian
Cobrahistorian
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Oklahoma, United States
Joined: November 11, 2006
KitMaker: 710 posts
Armorama: 553 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 02:17 AM UTC
Gino's effort is pretty awesome!

One M43 (actually T43) went to Europe in March 45 and did see combat alongside the T40. I believe they both were with the 991st AFAB, but I'd have to confirm that with the FA Museum. They've got one of each (M40 and M43) there.

Jon
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 04:36 AM UTC
Thanks guys. I'm glad you found my build. It isn't that hard to do the conversion. Good luck with it and keep us posted.
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