Trumpeter 1/35 M198 155mm Medium Towed Howitzer (Early) Kit First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | April 2009 | Manufacturer | Trumpeter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | M198 155mm Medium Towed Howitzer (Early) | Scale | 1/35 |
| Kit Number | 2306 | Primary Media | Styrene, Photo-Etch |
| Pros | Nicely detailed kit! | Cons | |
| Skill Level | Basic | MSRP (USD) | $44.95 |
First Look
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The M198 is a medium towed howitzer that served in the US Army and US Marine Corps as well as in the armies of India, Thailand, and Australia. This artillery piece can put rounds on target at ranges up to 14 miles with standard rounds and to over 18 miles with rocket-assisted projectiles.
With its crew of nine, the M198 can be deployed by parachute, airlifted by helicopter, or simply towed into its next firing position. The system has been used extensively in combat in the Persian Gulf and supports a wide range of projectiles. The M198 is in the process of being replaced by the M777 howitzer which weighs less than half of the M198's 15,000 pounds.
Trumpeter has released another artillery piece into their impressive and growing product line. This release is part one of the M198 towed howitzer that represents the early service configuration. A future release (part two) will cover the M198 in its current configuration. This series of artillery pieces is another example of the diverse subjects that Trumpeter has been creating in scale and producing subjects that few other companies would consider.
This kit is molded in light gray styrene and presented on four parts trees, plus a single fret of photo-etched details and a set of rubber tires.
There are lots of fine details provided in this box to build up a very detailed rendtion of this artillery piece. As is typical of many artillery models, this kit provides the abilitiy to set the gun up for transport and for fire (and to fiddle with) if you're so inclined. Many modelers will simply glue the model together to avoid having the model wear out later on and fall apart. Nevertheless, this kit provides nicely detailed subassemblies for the howitzer and the carriage.
You won't be lacking for details and options. Among the highlights of this kit:
- Gun can be articulated in azimuth and elevation (movable)
- Gun can be set up for transport and for fire after assembly (movable)
A small sheet of decals are provided for the stencils and placards on the M198.
This is another nice offering from Trumpeter and this provides a mostly-styrene option for this subject for those modelers uncomfortable with resin or limited run kits.
My sincere thanks to Stevens International for this review sample!