I have just posted the instructions and box art of the latest AFV Club M109A6 Paladin here:
http://modelerssocialclub.proboards.com/thread/5844/afv-club-m109a6-paladin
A review will follow soon.
Cheers
Mike Shackleton
Hosted by Darren Baker
AFV Club M109A6 Paladin instructions
mshackleton
Joined: December 16, 2007
KitMaker: 559 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 02:42 AM UTC
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
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Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 05:15 AM UTC
It looks great. Light years ahead of the old Italeri kit.
But not flawless. I noticed four VERY minor inaccuracies:
- the muzzle brake parts from M109A2 kit are used, while real M109A5 and M109A6 have slightly different muzzle brake with reinforced rear buffle.
- small electrical connectors on the right side of the rear hull represent old phone cable sockets (from M109A2), instead of slave electrical socket of M109A5 and M109A6.
- small grille behind the driver's hatch is partially covered with flat metal plate in Paladin.
- support block for the travel lock (on upper front hull plate) in Paladin has the rubber center part removed from most if not all vehicles, as it is not used in Paladin. The kit part is from M109A2.
Those are very minor and easily correctable issues. Only correcting the muzzle brake shape is more tricky, but doable (I already did it). Of course all these issues can easily be ignored as only such freaks as myself are ever going to notice them
But not flawless. I noticed four VERY minor inaccuracies:
- the muzzle brake parts from M109A2 kit are used, while real M109A5 and M109A6 have slightly different muzzle brake with reinforced rear buffle.
- small electrical connectors on the right side of the rear hull represent old phone cable sockets (from M109A2), instead of slave electrical socket of M109A5 and M109A6.
- small grille behind the driver's hatch is partially covered with flat metal plate in Paladin.
- support block for the travel lock (on upper front hull plate) in Paladin has the rubber center part removed from most if not all vehicles, as it is not used in Paladin. The kit part is from M109A2.
Those are very minor and easily correctable issues. Only correcting the muzzle brake shape is more tricky, but doable (I already did it). Of course all these issues can easily be ignored as only such freaks as myself are ever going to notice them
mshackleton
Joined: December 16, 2007
KitMaker: 559 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 05:26 AM UTC
You mention the rubber block - is this part C64?
I've already noted and acknowledged your points in the review I'm putting together now.
Do you have any photos of any of these points that I could use in the review?
Many thanks.
Mike
I've already noted and acknowledged your points in the review I'm putting together now.
Do you have any photos of any of these points that I could use in the review?
Many thanks.
Mike
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 05:42 AM UTC
Quoted Text
You mention the rubber block - is this part C64?
This detail is actually molded on part E3. C64 is a triangular piece of the armor plate. But indeed the arrow in step 6 in instruction points from part C64 to this support block.
Quoted Text
I've already noted and acknowledged your points in the review I'm putting together now.
Do you have any photos of any of these points that I could use in the review?
I have a large number of excellent photos, but almost all come from Rob Skipper's reference CD, so I cannot share them without his permission...
18Bravo
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 05:47 AM UTC
Pavel,
I appreciate that. Please feel free to post the photo showing what you talking about. It may encourage more sales to fund the Tuskegee Airmen Tribute bike I've started. It's on my priority list to finish it when I return home again.
I appreciate that. Please feel free to post the photo showing what you talking about. It may encourage more sales to fund the Tuskegee Airmen Tribute bike I've started. It's on my priority list to finish it when I return home again.
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 05:51 AM UTC
Thanks Robert! I will select a few photos and post them later.
But here is a good photo (my own) of electrical socket on M109A5 - it is identical to that on Paladin: http://data.primeportal.net/artillery/vodnik/m109/M109_027.JPG
But here is a good photo (my own) of electrical socket on M109A5 - it is identical to that on Paladin: http://data.primeportal.net/artillery/vodnik/m109/M109_027.JPG
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 07:00 AM UTC
I uploaded a few photos from Robert's CD to this album: https://picasaweb.google.com/100965619988843410740/Paladin?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Note that the difference in muzzle brake shape is subtle and hardly noticeable unless you know what to look for. The difference is in the shape of rear baffle edges. Here is a photo (I don't remeber the source of this photo!) of M109A2 muzzle brake for comparison: https://picasaweb.google.com/100965619988843410740/A2MuzzleBrake?noredirect=1#5925031314528065954
If anyone is interested: the older muzzle brake casting part number was 8768728, while the newer part for A5 and A6 variants is 11580137. Note that there was also an even older casting used on some early M109 family vehicles - that one had different front baffle shape. It is included as one of the options in the Kinetic M109A2 kit.
Note that the difference in muzzle brake shape is subtle and hardly noticeable unless you know what to look for. The difference is in the shape of rear baffle edges. Here is a photo (I don't remeber the source of this photo!) of M109A2 muzzle brake for comparison: https://picasaweb.google.com/100965619988843410740/A2MuzzleBrake?noredirect=1#5925031314528065954
If anyone is interested: the older muzzle brake casting part number was 8768728, while the newer part for A5 and A6 variants is 11580137. Note that there was also an even older casting used on some early M109 family vehicles - that one had different front baffle shape. It is included as one of the options in the Kinetic M109A2 kit.
mshackleton
Joined: December 16, 2007
KitMaker: 559 posts
Armorama: 517 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 07:18 AM UTC
Many thanks to both Vodnik and Robert!
mshackleton
Joined: December 16, 2007
KitMaker: 559 posts
Armorama: 517 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 07:45 AM UTC
Hi Robert
Where can we get hold of your M109A6 CD? I'd like to reference it in the review.
Cheers
Mike
Where can we get hold of your M109A6 CD? I'd like to reference it in the review.
Cheers
Mike
tanknick22
Joined: February 19, 2009
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 08:55 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I have just posted the instructions and box art of the latest AFV Club M109A6 Paladin here:
http://modelerssocialclub.proboards.com/thread/5844/afv-club-m109a6-paladin
A review will follow soon.
Cheers
Mike Shackleton
when is the kit due to be released in the us?
18Bravo
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 09:37 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi Robert
Where can we get hold of your M109A6 CD? I'd like to reference it in the review.
Cheers
Mike
I no longer produce CD's. It's even better - I send the files (hundreds, sometimes thousands) depending upon the vehicle) via wetransfer.com. You get them the same day you pay, AND there's no more shipping. Since I potentially have access to everything in the Army inventory, the files are almost always far more in depth than what you will find in standard walkarounds.) The upcoming M2A3/M3A3 files will even show the new fuel bladders underneath the turret as part of the BUSK III system.
mshackleton
Joined: December 16, 2007
KitMaker: 559 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 09:43 AM UTC
Hi Robert
How do people contact you if they are looking for yor pics? And how much for the set?
Cheers
Mike
How do people contact you if they are looking for yor pics? And how much for the set?
Cheers
Mike
mshackleton
Joined: December 16, 2007
KitMaker: 559 posts
Armorama: 517 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 09:46 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextI have just posted the instructions and box art of the latest AFV Club M109A6 Paladin here:
http://modelerssocialclub.proboards.com/thread/5844/afv-club-m109a6-paladin
A review will follow soon.
Cheers
Mike Shackleton
when is the kit due to be released in the us?
From my AFV Club contact: Orders should be shipped out over the weekend by Lucky Model and Hobbyeasy.
UK and US should be getting theirs soon as they were shipped out weeks in advance because the much longer voyage for them.
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 07:50 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I no longer produce CD's. It's even better - I send the files (hundreds, sometimes thousands) depending upon the vehicle)
Indeed, that's how I got those images. But calling it a "Rob's reference CD" is simpler
pascalbausset
Joined: February 05, 2002
KitMaker: 1,416 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 10:42 PM UTC
Thanks for all these informations. Another question, about Paladin's tracks. Are they different from those use with M109A2 ?
Can we use the AFV Club T136 separate track links (ref 35S23)
TIA
Can we use the AFV Club T136 separate track links (ref 35S23)
TIA
mshackleton
Joined: December 16, 2007
KitMaker: 559 posts
Armorama: 517 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 10:58 PM UTC
Yes - the Paladin tracks are different to the A2.
They are called T154 and are nicely done in vinyl. Individual links are available from Riich and Skunk Works, but these are designed for the Italeri/Tamiya Paladin, so may not fit exactly.
Cheers
Mike
They are called T154 and are nicely done in vinyl. Individual links are available from Riich and Skunk Works, but these are designed for the Italeri/Tamiya Paladin, so may not fit exactly.
Cheers
Mike
mshackleton
Joined: December 16, 2007
KitMaker: 559 posts
Armorama: 517 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 11:04 PM UTC
I have four general queries about the Paladin.
1 Are these all new-build vehicles or are they upgrades from previous chassis?
2 With the new ammo box on the turret rear - which has no access doors - how is the Paladin resupplied with fresh ammo? Through the rear hull door I presume.
3 Is the large box on the roof centreline just for general stowage?
4 What is the rectangular box on the mantlet alongside the gun? Something to do with the fire-control I guess.
Cheers
Mike
1 Are these all new-build vehicles or are they upgrades from previous chassis?
2 With the new ammo box on the turret rear - which has no access doors - how is the Paladin resupplied with fresh ammo? Through the rear hull door I presume.
3 Is the large box on the roof centreline just for general stowage?
4 What is the rectangular box on the mantlet alongside the gun? Something to do with the fire-control I guess.
Cheers
Mike
Removed by original poster on 09/19/13 - 11:10:27 (GMT).
pascalbausset
Joined: February 05, 2002
KitMaker: 1,416 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 11:12 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Yes - the Paladin tracks are different to the A2.
They are called T154 and are nicely done in vinyl. Individual links are available from Riich and Skunk Works, but these are designed for the Italeri/Tamiya Paladin, so may not fit exactly.
Cheers
Mike
Thx Mike
Frenchy
Joined: December 02, 2002
KitMaker: 12,719 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 11:27 PM UTC
Quoted Text
With the new ammo box on the turret rear - which has no access doors - how is the Paladin resupplied with fresh ammo? Through the rear hull door I presume.
Yes
Same with the M992 FAASV :
(The M109 pictured above is a A2)
Another way of using the M992
:
H.P.
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 11:45 PM UTC
Quoted Text
They are called T154 and are nicely done in vinyl. Individual links are available from Riich and Skunk Works, but these are designed for the Italeri/Tamiya Paladin, so may not fit exactly.
Actually Skunkmodel tracks were designed for Kinetic M109 kit suspension (although they don't make Paladin kit yet) and Riich tracks were designed for their own Paladin kit, which so far exists only in their release announcements (and CAD images). But I believe they both should fit AFV Club sprockets well.
My personal piece of advice: avoid Skunk tracks at all cost! They look good, but are awfully hard to assemble with loosly fitting end connectors... My T154 set from Skunk landed in a trash can after I had tried to assemble a few links. I got the Riich tracks instead.
jvazquez
Joined: September 26, 2006
KitMaker: 857 posts
Armorama: 811 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 19, 2013 - 01:10 AM UTC
Friulmodel already has a set for the M109A6 that is out there but hasn't been fully released yet.
I think I'm going to lean towards those.
I think I'm going to lean towards those.
Frenchy
Joined: December 02, 2002
KitMaker: 12,719 posts
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Posted: Thursday, September 19, 2013 - 01:24 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Are these all new-build vehicles or are they upgrades from previous chassis?
Here's what I've found (from various websites) :
"Over 950 existing M109s have been rebuilt as the M109A6 Paladin. The Paladin configuration is achieved through extensive modifications to existing M109A2/A3 vehicle hulls and the subsequent introduction of an entirely new turret structure. The remaining M109 howitzer fleet has received the M109A5 upgrade, which included some of the same automotive and crew NBC protection improvements as well as the Paladin's M284 cannon and M182 gun mount".
H.P.
mshackleton
Joined: December 16, 2007
KitMaker: 559 posts
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Posted: Thursday, September 19, 2013 - 03:31 AM UTC
Thank you!!
1721Lancers
Joined: March 21, 2012
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Posted: Thursday, September 19, 2013 - 03:54 AM UTC
Thanks Michael, this will be a huge help for my Tamiya Paladin.
Paul
Paul
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