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In-Box Review
135
M2A1 105mm Howitzer
Dragon Kit #6499 M2A1 105mm Howitzer on carriage M2A1
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by: Mike Del Vecchio [ REDLEG12 ]

Introduction

The M2 105 mm howitzer began production in 1939; like the M4 Sherman and all its variants was to armor, the M2/ M2A1 was to US artillery. The M2 was the most widely produced piece of field artillery in the US arsenal. Later the M2A1 became the M101 and M101A1 and in all, saw battle with the US forces from WWII through Vietnam. The M101A1, the descendent of the M2A1 was retired from US military service in the mid 1990’s, but is still in service with many other countries around the world.

This Dragon kit, #6499, of the 105mm Howitzer M2A1, is on carriage M2A1 which is the correct version for the WWII modeler. The Italeri version from years back is more like the M101 than the original M2. This Dragon version of the 105mm howitzer correctly has the simple shield and original barrel. The Italeri version more represents the upgrades post WWII which encompass the M101.

Review

Upon opening the box you are presented with 5 sprues, which are individually packaged. Three of the sprues are for the howitzer, and 2 are for the included figures.

Howitzer:
The A sprue contains the one piece molded rear barrel section and recuperating cylinders, the breech, equilibrator assembly, and recoil sled. The B sprue is mainly the trails, spades and two piece tire assemblies while the C sprue is the shields and miscellaneous small parts. The small parts include many details such as panoramic telescope, lunette assemblies, ramming staffs, aiming posts, quadrant, and hand wheels.

The carriage is molded to allow the trails to move into either travel or firing position. The directions also show how to assemble the howitzer assembly so it is in the travel mode or in the firing mode. All of the sprues appear to be slide-molded and are molded very well. The details appear to be crisp with no flash or marks.

The B sprue has a number of parts which are not used, including a different shield assembly. This suggests that these sprues will end up in other different kits. The A sprue with the metal barrel would be in a kit of the T19 HMC. The B sprue could be used as part of an M5 3 inch antitank gun. For sure we will see these sprues in other kits.

Also included is the metal barrel end. This fits to the one piece molded rear barrel section at the barrel locking bolt. Lastly there is a small sheet of decals for ammunition markings.

Figures:
There are two figure sprues. The main sprue has four figures and personal equipment. This sprue also contains winter jackets, as these are intended to be 101st Airborne troops in the Ardennes and is based on their previously released figure set. In order to turn them into artillery troops, a small second sprue is included with different arms to allow carrying of ammunition and 3 full 105mm rounds.
Again the molding is crisp, though the figures would benefit from some aftermarket heads as the included heads are of average quality.

Instructions:
The kit includes a 3 page tri-fold booklet. In total, there are 7 steps to the assembly of the howitzer. The last two steps are a choice which allows the modeler to either put the weapon in travel mode or in firing mode. The instructions appear clear and are in the normal “picture” mode. The figures are a single “photo” type instruction which appears busy but complete.

Conclusion

This is an excellent kit of this version of this howitzer. It is obvious these parts will be used to create a number of other offerings from Dragon such as a T19 HMC, M5 3 inch gun, M101A1 105mm and dare I say maybe an M7 or M37 HMC. For the WWII fans this will be an excellent addition to your list.
SUMMARY
Highs: The kit is very well molded, with crisp details and metal barrel. A simple, yet important, kit which adds to the WWII or artillery modeler.
Lows: The kit is missing the normal artillery accessories such as empty cartridge cases, separate shells, powder increments, ammunition boxes, ammunition tubes, section chest. There are no proper individual weapons for the figures.
Verdict: This is a well thought out kit which will be a good addition to a WWII modeler or an artillery lover. Because of its high quality and only copy of this variant in this scale, it is worth the price of purchase.
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 6499
  Suggested Retail: 24.99
  PUBLISHED: May 25, 2009
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 90.00%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 86.16%

About Mike Del Vecchio (redleg12)
FROM: NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES

I modeled both plastic models and model rockets from my early years through college. I left the hobby to have multiple carrers, family and all those things. After almost 30 years I returned and found a passion with 1/35 scale artillery in 2004. Today I am a retired Major, US Army Artillery Office...

Copyright ©2021 text by Mike Del Vecchio [ REDLEG12 ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Hi Mike, Many thanks for the review, almost missed this one!! Al
MAY 27, 2009 - 07:03 AM
Alan - Thanks for the Thank you. Rounds Complete!!
MAY 27, 2009 - 11:44 PM
This kit is well detailed and well molded. The instruction sheet , on the other hand, ummm.. sucks. I've spent more time looking at Toadman's pictures than the instructions! Say what you will about Tamiya, but, every other manufacturer could learn from their instruction sheets.
JUN 22, 2010 - 01:09 PM
The instructions say to use parts C11 and C12, this is wrong. Use C17 (x2) instead. Wish I'd figured that out BEFORE the glue set.
JUN 23, 2010 - 10:37 AM
I usaully use my research as a check but have found some vendors like Dragon to make many mistakes.....shows a low level of QA/QC in the pre-production phase. The only thing worse is resin kit instructions!! When I reviewed the kit, it was an "in box" review. I had not gone through the entire instruction sheet. I feel you pain Rounds Complete!!
JUN 23, 2010 - 12:11 PM
I understand, that's why I'm posting here. You did a good review, I knew exactly what was in the box! It's a good kit, it's the instructions that stink! Unfortunatly, the only way to figure that out is to build it.
JUN 24, 2010 - 08:30 AM
If I was 'writing" the instructions there would be a lot of changes! Like putting the big pieces together BEFORE putting on the little bits! I'd love to meet the idiots that that designed this instruction sheet and smack 'em! (had to be a commitee, no one person could screw it up this bad!)
JUN 27, 2010 - 03:09 PM
Yep - I have seen that on many sheets. I try to read first before I build. I use a yellow highlighter to mark which items I left off so I can find all the little buggers when I am ready. Rounds Complete!!
JUN 27, 2010 - 11:35 PM
Good, review, Mike! I have this kit in the stash and look forward to building it. Now, I have a quick question (if you can answer it that is). I've read in other reviews on this kit where the authors mentioned the wheels/tires to be incorrect for this version. Is this actually the case here? Thanks for any feedback! Rob
JUN 28, 2010 - 02:08 AM
   
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