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For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
REVIEW
AFV Club M109A2 Howitzer
c5flies
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California, United States
Joined: October 21, 2007
KitMaker: 3,684 posts
Armorama: 2,938 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 02, 2013 - 03:19 PM UTC
Adam Tai makes his review debut with the new AFV Club M109A2 Howitzer.

Link to Item



If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
18Bravo
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Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
Armorama: 6,097 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 02, 2013 - 03:32 PM UTC
My initial thought on seeing the sprues was that they came up with a way of replicating the inner lip of the road wheel by making each two pieces - similar to what they did with the Centurion, only in plastic. Upon closer examination it appears this is not the case. No inner lip. As for the border between the tire and road wheel, I'd like to see how big it is. Sounds like something that will be tedious to remove if it's too large. (any raised portion would actually be too large) Looks like there may already be something for the aftermarket companies to look into.
As for the rest - it looks very promising. The separate battery compartment hatches makes doing the interior of the compartments much easier. That IS something aftermarket companies already have loads of references on. Promise.
Nice review.
jwest21
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 02, 2013 - 03:47 PM UTC
The details seem much crisper and well defined when compared to the Kinetic kit. I have been working a little on the Kinetic kit and can say it definitely benefits from the Eduard PE set to replace a lot of soft/poorly defined details. This kit looks like it would build up nice right out of the box.

Saw somewhere today that an IDF version is coming soon. Hopefully a Paladin isn't far behind. Riich Models initially said that their Paladin would be out by the end of the year but their Facebook page has been very quiet the last month.
skyshark
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: November 16, 2005
KitMaker: 703 posts
Armorama: 499 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 02, 2013 - 05:22 PM UTC
Hopefully an M992A1/2 in not far behind!
skyshark
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: November 16, 2005
KitMaker: 703 posts
Armorama: 499 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 02, 2013 - 05:39 PM UTC
Does any company in the states have these for sale yet, or when are they to be released here.
18Bravo
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Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
Armorama: 6,097 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 02, 2013 - 05:41 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hopefully an M992A1/2 in not far behind!



There is. It's behind schedule, but it's coming.
skyshark
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: November 16, 2005
KitMaker: 703 posts
Armorama: 499 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 02, 2013 - 05:49 PM UTC
Robert, what about the gun is it already for sale in states other than ebay. if not when.
jwest21
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 02:08 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Robert, what about the gun is it already for sale in states other than ebay. if not when.


Not in the States just yet.
gatorbait
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Louisiana, United States
Joined: August 25, 2002
KitMaker: 252 posts
Armorama: 201 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 03:08 AM UTC
Looks like a beautiful kit. I hope AFV Club does a stock M-109 and maybe even an M-108.
Dimitar
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Sofiya, Bulgaria
Joined: November 08, 2011
KitMaker: 414 posts
Armorama: 287 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 05:29 AM UTC
Any info on the marking options?
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 06:44 AM UTC
Four Marking Options:

Egyptian Army Sand
Portuguese Army Olive Drab

U.S. Army

VI/11 CAV - HOW 18 NATO Camo, 5th Corp 1/11 Armored Cav Squadron, Germany

I ^ I-22-F - C-41 MERDC Camo, 1st Armored DIV, 1/22 Field Artillery, Germany (^ is an open triangle for Armored)
KurtLaughlin
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 01:03 PM UTC

Quoted Text

My initial thought on seeing the sprues was that they came up with a way of replicating the inner lip of the road wheel by making each two pieces - similar to what they did with the Centurion, only in plastic. Upon closer examination it appears this is not the case. No inner lip. As for the border between the tire and road wheel, I'd like to see how big it is. Sounds like something that will be tedious to remove if it's too large. (any raised portion would actually be too large)



Robert, based on your post I checked my kit and fit two wheel halves together. It creates a nice undercut rim when assembled. It looks just like this:

http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/m109a3_62.jpg

KL
18Bravo
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Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
Armorama: 6,097 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 03:10 PM UTC
That's great news then. I really couldn't tell from the photos but I was hoping someone would finally get them right.

So...How's that tire demarcation line? Is it too noticeable?
Tailor
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Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Joined: May 26, 2008
KitMaker: 1,168 posts
Armorama: 256 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 08:12 PM UTC
This is looking good. After the Kinetic A2, which I deem my personal Disapointment of the Year, I am much looking forward to this. I thought the tires of the Kinetic kit were pretty good, so maybe a kitbash is in order, as I will very likely not finish the Kinetic product.
Most of the German online traders offer pre-order deals. None of them has issued an availability date, yet, but seeing the sprues definitely raises my confidence!
Chesrs,
Guido
KurtLaughlin
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Friday, January 04, 2013 - 02:02 AM UTC

Quoted Text


So...How's that tire demarcation line? Is it too noticeable?



Here
http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/m109a3_32.jpg
the real ones look to go from flush to the metal disk being slightly above the tire. The cross-sectional drawing of the 11636140 roadwheel shows that the metal should be nominally higher, but with the roadwheel disk curving under the rubber there really shouldn't be an edge. The kit parts are slightly proud of the surface with a soft edge, less than .010 I'd say. Within reason for my purposes, but easily removable if that's your desire.

KL
Vodnik
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Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Friday, January 04, 2013 - 10:06 AM UTC
I'm so glad that three of these kits are coming to me from Lucky Model now
I agree with Taylor about the Kinetic kit
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