I bought the AFV Club M102 Howitzer and the Italeri Bigfoot yesterday. I have done a lot of web searching before asking what is probably a stupid question. Are these currently being used in Iraq? I was thinking about a little dio have the bigfoot towing the 105. Thanks in advance for the help.

Shaun

PS Thanks Animal and Gunnie, I finally bought my first modern truck...

Tha M102 is Primarily used by Light and Airborne Units.....So i'm not completely Sure....... #:-)

Shaun,

I'm not 100% sure if the M102 is being used in OIF. My understanding is that the 102 is on it's way out of the inventory in favor of the new Brit design M119 (?). Also, if it is indeed being deployed to OIF, the HMMWV is quite capable of (and is often seen in non-OIF pics) towing the M102. I believe that the HMMWV is/was the 102's 'prime mover'. (The 900 series of 5-ton might be too high to tow)

I'm sure that others more in the know will correct me here...

Now that I think about it The 900 series Generally Towes the M198 (155mm) gun........

The M102 has been aroung since 'Nam So, there's pleanty of Ideas!! It is a Nice little kit to build (i've got one Started)

Well, there will be some soon from the 39th BCT from Arkansas when they get over there. Prime mover is the Hummer.



SB

Steve and Kevin are correct. The HMMWV variant used to tow the 105mm howitzer is the M1097 Prime Mover. Basically looks like a garden variety 2-door HMMWV with a back bumper and beefier suspension like the type found on the S250 shelter carrier. It also has a camouflage net rack up over the cab.

I believe the active forces have replaced the M102 with the M119, but there is at least a New Hampshire ARNG artillery battalion that has them. I let them come down and do controlled substitution on my two M102s. In return, they TI'd the two guns and bring the parts down when they come through the supply system.

Thanks for all of the quick replies. Sounds like a "could be" instead of a "definate." I knew I should have bought the HMMWV... Anyway, the M923 is in use in theater, right?
I am thinking about building this dio for an IMPS regional in Indy in March and want to have my facts straight.

Thanks again and Happy New Year everyone!!

Shaun

M923 yes, there were many drawn from Doha and a good number came with their deploying units from their home stations. As for the M102, I would say, no,no,no. I know for a fact the 101st's 320FA has M119s as does the 82nd's 319 FA also. I do not know about 2 ACR as they are light now days, if they are true light then they have the M119 also. As for the M102 it is in use by some state's Army National Guard units. In Oct 2002 I met some fine soliders from the Iowa Army National Guard, they had M102s. They said these guns were so obsolete that they scavaged parts from one gun to another to get working guns. I hope that the BCT from Arkansas has a bunch of replacement parts for their guns when they go to Iraq or they get the M119. My guess is they would receive the M119 during their pre deployment train up. So I would say no to having a M923 towing M102, in fact as someone already said the M1097 Prime Mover version of the HMMWV is what tows 105s.

The 39th BCT is only taking one battery. I also saw a unit pulling the 102 behind 2 1/2 ton trucks last summer while I was in OKC.



SB

PS Here's a picture;



at http://www.salt6.com/m102.htm

Thanks Steve!!

Shaun

Gentlemen,

The M102 has been replaced by the M119A1/A2 in all but 8 Army national Guard battalions. No M102s took part in OIF, however as stated, the Arkansas National Guard is supposed to deploy some of their M102s as part of OIF2. The M1097 heavy HMMWV is the designated prime mover. Each section also has a second M1097 to carry ammo, crew, and gear. The 2-1/2 ton truck can also be used to tow the M102. M923 is definately in theater.

Keenan - You live in Marion right? If you go past the armory like you are going out of town on East 4th street you will pass Fastenall and a welding supply company. After the welding supply company you will see a new National Guard Maintenance facility (OMS 15) on the south side of the road while you are heading east. If you look in the compound you will see a fleet of 5 ton trucks to include 5 or 6 M923's. If you stop in and talk with the shop foreman he may allow you to go in long enough to take a few quick snapshots for reference material....

StJohn,
Yeah, the Guard post is about 4 blocks from my house, I drive past there all the time. Maybe I'll take the kit and the digital camera down there and see if they will let me take some pictures...

Thanks again for all of the help.

Shaun