Kinetic 1/35 M109 Doher/Rochev Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

The M109 series is a self-propelled 155mm artillery piece with its breech under armor to protect its crew that first entered service during the Vietnam war. The initial system is based upon the M126 155mm L/39 main gun mounted in a traversing turret for greater operational flexibility. The M109A2 upgraded the main gun to the M185 along with some engineering updates to improve operational reliability. With each variant, improvements were added to the main gun, gun mount, engine/transmission, ammo storage capacity, etc. The M109A1/2, for example, was produced for several countries including Israel, and Israel, in turn, made improvements to create the M109 Rochev, with further improvements over time to render the Doher variant.

Kinetic has released this kit of the M109 Doher/Rochev in 1/35th scale styrene and is very nicely done. Molded in gray styrene, the kit is presented on ten parts trees (duplicate trees not shown) plus five trees of black parts, and two frets of photo-etched parts. Among the features and options in this kit:

• Detailed hull sides with cleaning rod stowage
• Detailed suspension and drive train
• Choice of Rochev or Doher options including
  • Choice of travel lock
  • Choice of machine guns
  • Choice of commander's hatches
  • Choice of sights
• Positionable hatches (though no interior details are included)
• Detailed gun mount
• Gun mount is movable in elevation
• Gun turret is movable in azimuth
• Rear doors are molded closed
• Detailed stowage racks
• Positionable aft spades
• Positionable travel lock

The kit provides markings for four examples (two Rochev, two Doher).

This is a great-looking kit that will look awesome in the parked or in the firing position.

My sincere thanks to Lucky Model for this review sample! This kit is available directly from Lucky Model at a lower price - check it out!