M7 Priest Mid Production

[Shar2]

US M7 Priest Mid Production

1:35 ET Model S35-005

Here we have another etch and resin set from ET Models. This time it’s for the Dragon M7 Priest Howitzer Gun Carriage.

As the war progressed it was realised that the US Army required some sort of self propelled artillery with sufficient firepower required for armoured operations. Having used half-tracks fitted with howitzers it was decided that the new vehicle should be armoured and fully tracked. The M3 Lee/Grant chassis was to be used as the base vehicle and was initially designated the T32.

The M3 was reworked, giving an open-topped superstructure, mounting a 105 mm howitzer and, following trials, adding a machine gun, the T32 was accepted for service as the M7 in February 1942 and production began that April.

While the first M7s were produced for the U.S. Army, supply was soon diverted to support the Lend-Lease program. Ninety M7s were sent to the British 8th Army in North Africa, who were also the first to use it in battle during the Second Battle of El Alamein as well as their own Bishop, a 25-pounder gun howitzer armed self propelled gun. The M7 soon proved successful and the British requested 5,500 of them, an order which was never fully completed.

They did find problems with the M7 though, as the primary armament was of U.S., not British standard. This meant that the M7s had to be supplied separately, causing logistical complications. It was a problem that was only truly resolved in 1943 on arrival of the 25-pounder-armed Sexton developed by the Canadians on a similar chassis. Until that time though, the British continued to use the M7 throughout the North African Campaign, the Italian Campaign and even a few during the early days of the Normandy Invasion. After the Sexton appeared, most British M7s were converted into "Kangaroo" armored personnel carriers.

In U.S. service, the M7 was a great success. Each U.S. armored division had three battalions of M7s, giving them unparalleled mobile artillery support.

A total of 3,490 M7s were built and they proved to be reliable weapons, continuing to see service in the U.S. and allied armies well past World War II.

The review set is designated a value set, and looking through the instructions it appears to be made up of three smaller sets, so is the equivalent of a mid sized Big Ed set and consists of sets E35-052, E35-062 and E35-063. Coming in the standard ET packaging there are 4 etch frets and 8 resin cartridge cases, all taped to the sheets of black card. The etched parts are further protected with self adhesive plastic on both sides of each fret. The instructions, on two sides of A4 green paper and two smaller sheets of around A5 size. As usual the instructions are very clear and concise for the most part, although, again, (see BTR-60P review), some of the more complicated bending could have been shown a bit clearer. There is a lot less removal of parts from the kit with this set and seems to include mostly direct replacements for the kit parts along with numerous other details.

As is usual with these sets plastic or brass rod of various thicknesses will also be required to use as directed.

The instructions start with the addition of a new hinged panel that is attached to the rear bulkhead of the fighting compartment this has to be bent to shape and two large hinge/handles fitted. Also added to the bulkhead is a shell fusing base and two gun cleaning rods, (to be scratch built), with their associated brackets. Moving forward there are numerous brackets and clamps to be added both internally and externally to the hull sides along with the hinges for the folding upper sides and a couple of support angles for the rear panel. Moving further forward into the drivers position there are new support panels and a new instrument panel with acetate backing for the instruments themselves. Externally the frontal hull gets new mudguards, light protections bars and three open topped storage bins. Moving back to the rear decking, all the tools get new clamps, straps and brackets, including those for the coiled tow cable. There are three mesh parts for the engine ventilation plus two covers for the side vents which need a couple of posts made of either brass or plastic rod.

What would be, in effect, set E35-062 contains new replacement ammunition stowage bins which consist of a folded bin and interlocking inserts to make up the individual stowage compartments. Into these are inserted the resin cartridge cases. For fitting to the fighting compartment sides, angle brackets are provided, along with a shell fusing base, (?), which is fitted to the port bin.

The equivalent of set E35-063 is mainly for detailing the M2 50cal machine gun, providing new barrel handle, barrel vented jacket, front and rear sights, and replacement firing handles, (the handles themselves need to be fashioned from plastic rod. There are some additional parts for the main howitzer around the loading tray.

Conclusion

As with the other items Britmodeller has received from ET Models this is a very nice and comprehensive set for the Dragon M7 Priest. Some of the parts are quite small and delicate with some interesting folding required. But overall it shouldn’t be too much of a problem for the intermediate/experienced modeller. Recommended.

Review Sample courtesy of