Airfix 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7 Priest 1:35 Airfix (A1368)

[Julien]

M7 Priest

1:35 Airfix (A1368)

 

 

The 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7 was known my the US Forces simply as the M7, but by the British as The Priest following the previous Deacon and Bishop Self Propelled guns. It had been recognised by the US early in WWII that there would be the need for self propelled artillery with sufficient firepower to support armoured operations. Following on from half track operations it was realised the new gun would need to be fully tracked. It was decided at the time to use the existing M3 Lee chassis for the basis of the gun, later versions would use the M4 chassis which was coming in. Armament was settled on the 105mm howitzer. Over 4000 versions were built with 2000 being requested by the British. Despite logistical issues in supplying the American ammunition the British and Canadian forces would use the gun right through WWII, Development work was undertaken in the US to produce a 25pdr version but this was shelved in favour of the Canadian Sexton.  As well as use as a Self Propelled gun some would become amongst the first Armoured Personnel Carriers seen on the battlefield. The British would refer to these as "defrocked priests. The Canadians would also produce their own version known as the Kangaroo. In WWII the first use came at the second battle of El Alamein. The US woud use the gun in Europe and the Pacific. The gun continued to serve after WWII first in Korea and then cold war the revitalised German Army would use them into the 1960' The only other combat user would be Israel where they would see service in all their conflicts.

 

 

The Kit 

Here Airfix are re-boxing the Academy kit from 2008. The kit arrives on 8 sprues of green plastic, a lower hull section and a pair of rubber tracks. Construction starts us off with the lower hull. 6 main wheel bogies each with a pair of wheels are built up then attached to the hull. We now move inside the main hull. The transmission is built up and installed on the front floor plate, followed by the drivers seat and controls. At the front of the hull the curved front plate is added with its tow stiffening bars, then the exterior transmission parts are added. The plate with the transmission & drivers seat can then go into the main hull.  Front track guards are then fitted.

 

 

 

 

Construction now moves to the main reason for the vehicle the 105mm gun. The barrel is built and then fitted to the multi part recoil rails. The traverse and elevation gears are fitted. It does not look like any of this is designed to move so get your position for the gun right aw this stage. The completed gun then attaches to the main floor plate, and two side rails are fitted. The completed assembly then fits into the hull with some crew seats being fitted. 

 

 

The upper works of the hull are then assembled. The front plate go onto the side plates, the 50 cal copula is added followed by the rear engine deck. There are many small details to add at this stage including grab handles, interior equipment, additional track pads, radios; and head light guards. Moving to the rear the rear bulkhead is fitted with the engine access door, and tow hook. Tools are added at the rear, and at both sides large equipment lockers., and lastly the rear mud guards. 

 

 

The upper works can now be fitted to the lower hull and the 50 cal machine gun built up and installed In the main rear compartment the prominent ammuntion storage racks are added and the last stage is the addition of the tracks. Only rubber tracks are included here which is a little surprising as most of these style of kits now seem to be including link & length tracks as well. Still there are many brands of Lee tracks out there should the modeller wish to replace them. 

 

 

 

Decals

The sheet is from Airfix provides two options;

 

• "CAN DO" - C battery, 78th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Armoured Division, US 7th Army, Germany 1945.
• "ANZIO" - A Troop, 22nd Battery, 24th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, Italy 1944..

 

 

Conclusion

Its great to see Airfix re-boxing these kits as hopefully it will lead them to make more of their own 1/35 British Armour. The kit is very good, quite detailed with plenty going on for the modeller. Highly Recommended. 

 

 

Review sample courtesy of