Spalah offers a 1/72 scale model of the M119A2 towed howitzer.
It is a fully 3D-printed kit and comes in a fairly sturdy cardboard box with an identification label on the top. Inside, the base is protected by a layer of foam. The parts are printed on a single tray with a protective cage. Overall, the model is very well protected.
There is also a small 8-page instruction booklet in A6 size in colour, and an additional separated page with the colour scheme. The instructions are very clear and nicely designed, there is an initial list of parts with photos, and the assembly is divided into eight steps. The instructions not only indicate where each part goes, but also show another image of what it looks like once in place to avoid confusion.
The parts are numbered on the printed base, and you have to pay attention because when there are two symmetrical parts, they have the same number but are differentiated by R or L -and they are quite similar.
The model consists of a total of seventeen parts, although five spare are also included for the most delicate or small ones in case any are damaged or lost.
Despite their small size, the parts are very detailed and sharp. Removing them from the printing supports is easy, as the tree that attaches to the part is thin and the point of contact is minimal, making it quick and easy to cut with a blade. The problem is that the parts are very close together and there are many supports, so cutting them all takes time and care to release them little by little. Although it sometimes seems possible to remove large parts by twisting it, this is not recommended because it may be attached to delicate details that could break. Special care must be taken with the base & trailer, which is a very large piece with many supports and some thin parts.
After releasing each part, it is advisable to check it with a magnifying glass or optivisor of at least 2x to ensure that there are no traces of supports left, which are sometimes not visible to the naked eye but can be seen in photos. Also, there are some subtle printing bands that are barely visible (at least for me) but may appear on close up photos, and will benefit from a light sanding.
In principle, it is only possible to assemble the Howitzer in firing mode. It may be possible to modify it to put it in transport mode, but the kit is not prepared for that.
Assembly is straightforward and the parts fit together well. It is recommended to use cyanoacrylate adhesive, as is generally the case for all resin or 3D-printed models. However, I used Ammo acrylic Ultraglue for everything. It takes longer but allows me for cleaner assembly and more time to position the parts.
The only precautions I have found are to make sure that the flat part of the wheels is in contact with the base. Also, as there is no guide for placing the wheels on the base, you have to be careful because if you put them on wrong (too forward or too backward), the anchor cables will not fit properly. When using acrylic glue, it is possible to adjust everything before it dries.
It is a perfect weekend project; separating the parts and assembling it can easily be done in an afternoon, and the painting should not take much longer, resulting in a beautiful model of the M119A2 with great detail and definition.
Conclusion
A beautiful kit at small scale of the Light Howitzer M119A2, the detail and printing quality is very good and assembly has no issue. It can be shown together with its Ukrainian crew from Spalah as well.