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Have Gun - Will Travel Wire Paladin
brian638
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England - West Midlands, United Kingdom
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Posted: Tuesday, February 02, 2016 - 03:17 AM UTC
Bill Cross builds the AFV Club M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer as a newly-arrived denizen of the desert.



Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
Thirian24
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Oklahoma, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, February 02, 2016 - 03:26 AM UTC
Such a beautiful work here. Great job.
bill_c
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New Jersey, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, February 02, 2016 - 03:26 AM UTC
Thanks, Brian, for getting this one "live."
HeavyArty
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Posted: Tuesday, February 02, 2016 - 03:31 AM UTC
She came out great Bill. The AFV Club kit is really nice. Good job on the gear too. It definitely looks the business.

One note on the write up though. This is not the M109A6 Paladin PIM, but a straight M109A6 Paladin. The PIM takes the Paladin turret and puts it on an all-new, Bradley-based chassis. The original concept was called the M109A6 PIM. Since it has been bought and will be fielded, it will now be called the M109A7 PIM Howitzer. The M109A7 PIM Howitzer is supposed to begin fielding in a couple of years.

M109A7 PIM Howitzer prototype
Thirian24
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Posted: Tuesday, February 02, 2016 - 03:45 AM UTC
Doe this one just have CROWS added on?

HeavyArty
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Posted: Tuesday, February 02, 2016 - 03:52 AM UTC
No, that is another shot of the one I posted, just from the other side (look at the building, signboard, and bay door behind it). It has a Gunners' Protection Kit (GPK - a gunshield and surround for the TC's .50 cal).
Thirian24
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Posted: Tuesday, February 02, 2016 - 04:04 AM UTC
Oh ok. The picture you posted didn't show up for me for some reason.
brian638
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England - West Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: July 24, 2004
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Posted: Tuesday, February 02, 2016 - 04:40 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Thanks, Darren, for getting this one "live."


you're welcome, stunning work Bill, I was impressed with the finish.
bilbobee
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Minnesota, United States
Joined: February 28, 2015
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Posted: Tuesday, February 02, 2016 - 04:59 AM UTC
JOB WELL DONE, Bill real nice.
fhvn4d
#159
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Massachusetts, United States
Joined: April 07, 2008
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Posted: Tuesday, February 02, 2016 - 05:09 AM UTC
Sir if I may, why the change to a Bradley based chassis? Parts commonality or is it a more efficient design?
HeavyArty
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Posted: Tuesday, February 02, 2016 - 06:12 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Sir if I may, why the change to a Bradley based chassis? Parts commonality or is it a more efficient design?


Both. The M109 chassis is over 50 years old. It was first fielded in 1962. It can't really keep up with Abrams and Bradleys any longer and it has been taken as far as it can as far as making it faster or giving it better mobility. The new chassis streamlines the supply chain with the same parts commonality with other Bradleys, and is more reliable, faster, has better mobility, etc. The turret and gun are good, but the chassis just can't keep up nor handle modern combat any longer. The M109A7 PIM should be a good system and will most likely be around for quite a long time as well.
chnoone
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Armed Forces Europe, United States
Joined: January 01, 2009
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Posted: Tuesday, February 02, 2016 - 11:09 PM UTC
Now that's a very nice one you got there ! All you need is a crew to ride it ... good job !
Klaus-Adler
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MODELGEEK
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Scotland, United Kingdom
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Posted: Wednesday, February 03, 2016 - 04:53 AM UTC
What is the difference between this version and the one in use by the British army. ..is that a build option with this kit
cabasner
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Nevada, United States
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Posted: Wednesday, February 03, 2016 - 07:12 AM UTC
Bill: Great job!! I think your Paladin looks incredible! Would love, one day, to build and paint one that comes even close to yours. I think your subtle weathering and dust coating makes the machine look like the real thing!
HeavyArty
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Posted: Wednesday, February 03, 2016 - 08:16 AM UTC

Quoted Text

What is the difference between this version and the one in use by the British army. ..is that a build option with this kit


This is a different version. The British Army used (no longer in active service) the M109A2/A3, which was an earlier version. AFV Club does an M109A2 that would work as a British Army vehicle.



The m109A2/A3 had a totally different turret and travel lock, among other things. They are totally different.
bill_c
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Posted: Wednesday, February 03, 2016 - 10:57 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Thanks, Darren, for getting this one "live."


you're welcome, stunning work Bill, I was impressed with the finish.

Oy, did I ever screw that up. Sorry, Brian.

Gino, I have amended the review, thanks for that update.

Curt, you're too kind. You should post more of your builds here, Dude!
Klaus-Adler
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MODELGEEK
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Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 02:05 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

What is the difference between this version and the one in use by the British army. ..is that a build option with this kit


This is a different version. The British Army used (no longer in active service) the M109A2/A3, which was an earlier version. AFV Club does an M109A2 that would work as a British Army vehicle.



The m109A2/A3 had a totally different turret and travel lock, among other things. They are totally different.


Ao do I use the afv club or trumpeter version for the gulf wars?
HeavyArty
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Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 02:39 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Ao do I use the afv club or trumpeter version for the gulf wars?


The AFV Club M109A2 is perfect for a Gulf War 1 (ODS, '90 - '91) howitzer. That is the timeframe of this gun.

There is no Trumpeter M109 at all. You may be thinking of the Kinetic M109A2. It is OK, but not as nice as the AFV Club version. Both are the correct version for GW1 though.
Illini
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Colorado, United States
Joined: March 27, 2003
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Posted: Thursday, February 11, 2016 - 10:52 PM UTC
Bill, long time, no talk. Great build. I don't think I've ever seen one from you.

who takes you pictures, and how?
bill_c
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New Jersey, United States
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Posted: Friday, February 12, 2016 - 03:41 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Bill, long time, no talk. Great build. I don't think I've ever seen one from you.

Thanks, Dave, I miss editing your reviews. Hope all is good with you.

Quoted Text

... who takes you pictures, and how?

I take my own with a small light box. I will think about doing a feature on photographing models.

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