Revell M109A6 Paladin (03331) 1:72

[Mike]

M109A6 Paladin (03331)

1:72 Revell

 

 

The M109 was developed to replace the then-current M44 howitzer in the 1960s, to provide indirect-fire on the enemy from a substantial distance away from harm.  It was outfitted with a 155mm main gun initially, with later variants mounting upgraded versions in the same calibre, utilising the M284 in the A6, with a substantial muzzle brake at the tip to help with recoil of the powerful shells it fired.  When the A6 debuted with the new name Paladin, it was a substantial re-working of the original, having new firing systems, survivability improvements, and even a re-designed interior to carry more rounds for immediate use in the field.  A further development of the A6 was later renamed as the A7, sharing components with the Bradley AFV that incorporates numerous modifications and upgrades to armour, power and other systems to improve performance and survivability until the intended replacement, the M1299 comes on-stream.  This future weapon is intended to provide longer-range, greater accuracy, and an amazing 10 rounds per minute to rain maximum destruction of the enemy.

 

 

The Kit

This is a re-release of Revell's Paladin kit, and arrives in a box with a European camouflaged 109 firing its main gun at a relatively shallow angle.  It’s a small end-opening box, and inside are four sprues containing 160 parts in grey styrene, instruction booklet and one of those annoying safety sheets with the small decal sheet hidden inside.  Detail is pretty good for the scale, with a lot of moulded-in mesh, anti-slip coatings and other items of interest, including a crew figure with modern uniform and helmet to reflect the period of use of this variant.  There’s even a basic engine compartment with additional details under a separate hatch, and a set of link-and-length tracks all moulded in the same styrene as the rest of the kit.

 

 

 

Construction begins with the crew figure, who has separate arms to assist with posing, and he is shown painted in a forest green colour with a sand-coloured vest.  With him out of the way, the lower hull is made up around a heavily tread-plated floor, with side panels, lower glacis and rear bulkhead incorporating the large open hatch all added along the way.  The aforementioned engine compartment is built around a moulded-in engine block, and is detailed with ancillaries, hosing and two cooling fans in the bulkhead, resulting in a pretty good representation from the box, which is then inserted into the underside of the upper hull before it is mated with the lower hull and topped with the engine hatch, which you can pose open or closed, remembering to move the barrel out of the way as necessary.

 

The running gear is next, with the two-part drive sprockets fixed to their drive housings on large square pins, then the road wheels and idler wheels are made up in pairs, painting their hubs and rubber tyres as you go.  At the rear of the hull is a large side-opening door that makes it easy for the crew to quickly provide more rounds into the gunners, and on either side is a self-entrenching spade that can be shown stowed in the upright position, or dug into the soil to reduce ground creep from successive shots.  The running gear is then inserted into the holes in the hull sides, taking care to put the correct parts in the right place along with additional suspension arms and towing eyes at the rear.  The tracks are link-and-length, with long runs over the top and bottom, plus short lengths and individual links to wrap around the ends of the track runs.  The V-shaped rubber pads should be painted in a suitable rubber colour, while the links themselves will be a rusty track colour, which should test your patience.  With the tracks done, the lower hull is decked out with lights, towing hitches, various small parts and big mudguards at the rear, with a complex travel-lock for the barrel at the front.

 

The turret is a large part of the vehicle, and begins with a full representation of the barrel and breech, which is then slid inside the turret box after it has been outfitted with various hatches and panels, plus a gunner seat attached to the separate turret floor, which traps the gun in position when it is glued in.  Over the following steps, aircon, targeting sensors, towing cables, ammo, pioneer tools and additional fuel cans are added around the turret, with radio mast bases and additional stowage at the rear, creating a large overhanging bustle.  On the roof the commander’s cupola is constructed with hinged hatch, plus a well-detailed .50cal M2 Browning self-defence gun mounted on the front of the hatch.  As the final act, a 10mm square of paper should be fitted over the top of the gun’s elevation mechanism to represent the cover that keeps the dust out of the real thing.  The turret then twists onto the hull with a bayonet fitting holding it place through most of its rotation, and don’t forget to pop chummy into the top hatch once you’ve completed painting and weathering.

 

 

Markings

Speaking of painting, there are two decal options included on the sheet, one in desert sand to blend in with Texas, the other in the NATO euro scheme of green, black and brown in South Korea.  From the box you can build one of the following:

 

• M109A6 Paladin, 1st Armour Division, US Army, Texas, USA, 2018
• M109A6 Paladin, 2nd Infantry Division, US Army, South Korea

 

 

 

The decals are printed in Italy by Zanetti, which is a guarantee of good registration, sharpness and colour density, with a thin matt carrier film cut close to the printed areas.

 

 

Conclusion

A nicely detailed rendition of the Paladin at this scale, with lots of detail throughout.

 

Highly recommended.

 

 

Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit

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[Sgt.Squarehead]

I think this one may be a re-pop of a Toxso tool, rather than an update of Revell's previous kit (allegedly they will be releasing a PT-76B with the same origins in due course).

[RAGATIGER]

Hi there 

 

I wonder to ask if this M-109M6 ca be used to do a M-109 Doher from Israeli army

 

Regards

 

 

Armando