AFV CLUB [ MORE REVIEWS ] [ WEBSITE ] [ NEW STORIES ]

In-Box Review
135
105mm AmmoCrates & Containers
Ammunition Crates and Containers for 105mm Howitzer
  • move

by: Mike Del Vecchio [ REDLEG12 ]



introduction

The 105mm howitzer was one of the most produced weapons of WWII. Unlike smaller caliber weapons, the 105mm had the range (more than 11,000 meters), and packed a punch with a 50 meter kill radius. It was useful, both for penetrating the jungles in the east, and keeping pace with the fast-moving armies in Europe.

It started as the M2A1 towed, then was mounted on the T19 HMC and M7Priest HMC. Along the way, it also was the M3 Mountain Gun and the upgrade of the M7 (the M37). There are kits available for all of these except the M37. The 105mm is still in use today with the M119 howitzer. An excellent overview of WWII 105mm ammunition can be found here.

AFV Club has released a set of “Ammunition Crates and Containers for 105mm Howitzer” that will be useful for any dios from WWII up to modern scenes using the M102 or the M119.

the review

Ammunition crates and containers for the 105mm howitzer are a staple of artillery. This kit gives you all the possible packaging that was used for the 105mm ammunition. For those of us who have served in the artillery and on the 105mm, this kit will even transfer well into today with the fiber tubes.

An artillery scene means ammunition and dunnage (empty ammunition packaging). Most of what has been produced to date from the resin manufactures has been good, but costly. For the same price as some of the resin manufacturers, you are getting almost two-four times as many packaging parts.

Styrene Parts:
Upon opening the box you are presented with 2 identical sprues, a large decal sheet and a small photo etch sheet.

All of the parts appear to be well-molded. First, you get is two types of two round ammunition crates, end opening and top opening. There is four of each crate in the kit. Next, is the 3 round packaging; again two types, the wooden cage and the 3 round end caps for connecting the fibers. Then there are the individual heavy cardboard fibers for each round. These fibers protect each round and help keep the powder dry. The detail is excellent as the fiber tubes even have their spiral wrap. There are 22 fibers in the kit and 4 of them have removable end caps. Lastly is the heavy-duty metal canister, and there are 12 of those in the kit. For details of the use of each of these, refer to this site.

The detail discussion will explain all the packaging and give you some good ideas for modeling.
All of the different possible types of packing for almost any scene you may want to create.

Added Parts and Accessories:
A photo etch sheet is included with the kit with the strapping and buckles for the crate bands. These appear much nicer than the molded-on bands from some resin vendors.

Lastly the kit includes a detailed decal sheet for the WWII era HE rounds. The decals are very complete for marking the different crates and tubes. The interesting note is the lot numbers are different for each type of tube and for the two round crates and none of them match. Normally on a weapon they would try to have all one lot of HE (high explosive).

Instructions:
The kit includes a back-of-the-box instruction for the assembly and decal placement, and is relatively simple. There is also a paint chart for different brands similar to most AFV Club kits

The list price is not even close to what is on the streets. Shop before you buy. You can find the kit for 30% of list!!

conclusion

This kit appears to make a great addition to any 1/35 scale collection. You can never have enough ammunition and this kit gives a good stock to the ASP (ammunition supply point).
SUMMARY
Highs: The kit has excellent detail and builds into a good stock for the ASP (ammunition supply point).
Lows: Decals are strange with different lots for the same rounds.
Verdict: If you build US artillery you need a few of these.
Percentage Rating
95%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: AF35184
  Suggested Retail: $36.95
  PUBLISHED: Oct 27, 2010
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 90.00%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 89.68%

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

Yes - these are the tubes. Standard packing tubes for 105mm rounds!! Rounds Complete!!
OCT 30, 2010 - 03:22 PM
Thanks Mike, Thanks. Now the next question since I tried to find an organization table of M7 batteries during WWII. What truck was used in the battery to carry all the private gear and ammunition for each seperate gun? ( E,g. in our Dutch system each M109 battery of 6 howitsers was followed by several DAF 4 tons trucks, which carried all the gear of the crew, add ammo etc.) I want to make a ammo refill with an M7 and its truck. Thanks in advance, P.
OCT 30, 2010 - 08:12 PM
I am sure nothing at that point was "by the book". Without looking at a MTOE for a unit, if it was a truck it was most likely a 5 ton. Also remember, mosy M7 had M10 ammunition trailers to also carry ammo....See Masters Productions!! Rounds Complete!!
OCT 31, 2010 - 01:25 AM
WW II was different than the recent past in this regard because the US didn't have any 5-ton cargo trucks then. When thinking WW II or Korean War cargo trucks, think 2-1/2 ton CCKWs. KL
OCT 31, 2010 - 01:38 PM
When I was a teenager, I worked in a cardboard box factory that produced these containers for 105 shells. We had two shifts and put out somewhere around ten thousand per shift. The kit looks very realistic and I can use them but they seem a bit pricy. I don't think that I want them that bad........Al (edit) the ones we made were the tubes shown in the center bundle.
OCT 31, 2010 - 03:06 PM
During WWII, the US did have 71/2-ton Mack NO cargo trucks that were used as prime movers for the M1 155mm Long Tom cannon, a.k.a AFV Club's M59 Long Tom. No idea what the M7 batteries used for their gear and ammo trucks though. I do tend to think it would have been CCKWs as well. The Mack NOs were pretty much just arty prime movers for the bigger guns from what I have gathered.
OCT 31, 2010 - 03:07 PM
Kurt - Yep, I am sure they just loaded up a duce. Also I don't think they had a tracked carrier for 105 ammo. Considering how much 105 ammo was fired in ETO....the old duce would be best. Rounds Complete!!
OCT 31, 2010 - 10:28 PM
Talking about 105mm ammo crates.... http://www.cckw.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=4126 HTH Frenchy
OCT 31, 2010 - 10:56 PM
Cool stuff Frenchy....damm, I sit and think how many thousands of those crates have passed my eyes!! Rounds Complete!!
NOV 01, 2010 - 01:32 AM
   
ADVERTISEMENT


Photos
Click image to enlarge
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
ADVERTISEMENT