Product Review FOV 1:32 M2A1 105mm Howitzer

[tmanthegreat]

I just recieved this from BCA today. Like the recent FOV offerings, it is a very nice piece! The gun and accessories come packaged in the new window-flap box and are very easy to remove w/o dealing with too many twist-ties and screws. The gun itself seems rather fragile; part of the barrel, front plate, and arms are metal, the rest plastic.

The gun is very well detailed with all the cranks, gears, etc. The barrel can recoil and can elevate and pivot on the wheel base. The support arms can be moved and locked together for transport. Unlike the FOV 88mm gun, the cranks do not turn and move the barrel. Accessories include the three crew, 5 loose 105mm shells, 3 empty shell casings, 2 small wood crates, 3 medium "green" crates, and two large ammo boxes that open. There are also 2 tin cans and a shovel, not to mention the wonderful sandbag emplacement!

Its great to finally have some US artillery in 1:32 and FOV did a first-rate job with the Howitzer. This piece is well worth the price and I would recommend it!

[cruizin2000]

Now how can a Tman review be complete without some cool looking diorama picture in black/white?

C2000

[flpickupman]

He's got you there Tman.

[tmanthegreat]

That's true - I haven't taken any yet and now I even have a cool little diorama display base so there's no excuse

[binder001]

By the way, for those of us who like conversions - the standard 105mm howitzer was the basis for the "towed tank destroyers", the 3" AT gun M5. The Army decided that not all TD units needed to be self-propelled (with M10s) so they adapted a 3" AAA gun barrel to the carriage, breech and recoil mechanism of the 105. Result a towed 3" AT gun. The guns that saw active service had a changed shield (more sloped), but that and the new barrel will give you another US weapon. On the good news, the standard prime mover for towed TD battalions was the M3A1 halftrack, already available from FoV and 21C.

Further, don't forget that the 105 was the standard divisional artillery in all theaters of WW2, plus used by the USMC in later Pacific invasions. The weapon saw lots of service in Korea and again in Vietnam (often with the shield removed or lightened for helicopter movement). Lots of opportunities for using this item with many figures.

Gary

[flanker]

"The gun itself seems rather fragile; part of the barrel, front plate, and arms are metal, the rest plastic."


When you say "arms" do you mean the trails are metal?

[tmanthegreat]

Yes! That's the part, the trails! I had forgotten the correct term.

[krieglok]

I too, picked up the 105mm howitzer and found it to be a decent model. I was impressed with the figure sculpts and the overall design and building of the howitzer. The only thing that I found missing was the ability to fold up the bottom shield in the front for towing. I would highly recommend this model.

I found the German 88 gun to be just as well made as the 105, but not nearly as ground breaking. The fact that the cranks need to be turned to train or point the gun is hard for us with fat fingers. It was a nice idea, but even the $100 Minichamps 88 uses friction to hold the gun in place. The rest of the piece with the metal splinter shield is robust and slightly "chunkier" than the 21st model. Paint and markings are excellent. I like the looks of it. The only thing that caught my eye, though small, it that the travel lock for the barrel doesnt lock over like on the 21st model. One plus, the swing down stablizors are much more rigid than the 21st model, so it sits nice and steady. I would recommend this cannon too, especially with the excellent set of figures and shells, but the 21st gun is just as good not counting the nice extras that come with the FOV 88.