Hi there
I'm about to begin building my M7 Priest kit from Italeri. But before building I could need some of your experiences with this specific kit.

Is there anything I should pay attention to?
What parts do I need to replace with something else?
I want to make it a US version, Normandy theatre,. Do you have any tips to that kind of vehicle?

Any tip, trick, comment (to the kit:) ) and the like are most welcome. Thanks in advance fellow modellers.

Cheers

Simon

I've built two of them, and may some day make more. You should be careful with the seams of the fighting compartment. It's easy to leave big gaps there. Unless you are modeling a specific vehicle from a photo leave off the dust skirts, the long things on either side of the upper track runs. Those were normally only used in the Desert by the British. If you have any other tracks to use I'd suggest using them. If you do use the kit tracks they are VERY tight. It's very easy to snap off the idler or drive sprocket. On one of mine I used the tracks from a Tamiya Jumbo, but since they have extended end connectors that probably wouldn't be a good one to use for Normandy. Perhaps an Tamiya early production track, or some aftermarket one. The tracks are really the only truly bad thing about the kit, aside from the figure which you should also dump.


If you're interested here is my review of this kit. https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/369

Hi Simon:
I'm finishing one as a quick build for a Korean War vet. Some things to consider:

1) suspension: many used the earlier M3-type suspension with the centrally mounted return roller. (Cromwell, TMD make these). Otherwise get the VVS with horizontal return roller arm (AFV Club, Tasca, Academy).

2) the Eduard PE set will serve you well: screens, baskets, light guards, tool straps

3) the pioneer tools and .50 cal MG are trash. replace these

4) Rodger already mentioned the tracks

5) the Normandy Priests had lots of stowage

Other items like the driver's compartment, the fire extinguishers could use some tweaking but aren't essential in my opinion.

If you follow Roy's advice about the early suspenion, you might as well go whole hog and add all of the rivets, as well as the three piece transmission cover.



Then you can shorten the "pulpit."



And, as has been mentioned, the PE is a nice touch. This is one kit which really benefits from it.

Hi Simon ..everthing Rodger and Roy have said I agree with ..If I were you I'd think about changing the sharp nosed tranmission cover with either a three piece or the earlier one piece cover ..especially if you want to do it in Normandy ..

Rick

Hi all
Thanks for your comments. I'll have them in mind.

Thanks again.

Simon