DML 1/35 M2A1 105mm Howitzer and Carriage M2A2 w/USMC Crew

Review

Subject	M2A1 105mm Howitzer and Carriage M2A2 w/USMC Crew - Smart Kit
Scale	1/35
Kit Number	6531
Primary Media	178 parts (177 in grey stryrene and 1 turned aluminum barrel section)
Pros	Follow-on to first Army kit with figures for Marine Corps fans; one-piece central barrel section via slide molding; several options included
Cons	Crew only suitable for Marines in the Pacific 1943-1945
Skill Level	Basic

After WWI the US Army formed the Westerveldt Board to develop American weapons systems for the US Army, as since it had not developed sufficient weapons on its own it had to borrow or buy foreign systems for use in WW I. One of the first designs which was proposed was what was then a medium field howitzer in 105mm caliber. But due to a lack of money and other factors the weapon was not placed into production until 1940; the good news was that in the interim it had been developed and received several useful changes, such as the ability to handle unitary ammunition and employ a split-trail pneumatic tire carriage for high-speed movement and high angle fire.

The new weapon came into service as the M2A1 howitzer on the M2A2 carriage. Able to throw a 33 pound projectile up to 12,500 yards, more than 8500 were built during WWII and production continued on into the 1950s. More than 10,200 were then completed, and many were upgraded to the postwar M101A1 standard and served through Vietnam, finally being retired by the Reserves in 1980 when - oddly enough - the Army bought the British L119 lightweight 105mm howitzer to replace it as the M119. The "105" still serves with several foreign armies and has received new barrels and other modifications in their service, so it is one of the longest serving weapons in modern history.

This is the second release of this kit as a separate towed howitzer but this time adds a Marine Corps crew of four - actually it is set No. 6038, USMC - Iwo Jima 1945 with a new dedicated sprue bearing four arms and three 105mm rounds.

The 105 itself is a "Smart Kit" and has features such as the entire center section of the howitzer molded in one piece (recoil and recuperator sections and barrel tube) by the use of slide molding. The gun is completed with a turned aluminum muzzle section with rifling and a four-piece breech block.

The cradle comes in four main parts with the outside sections and slots for the howitzer to travel in as separate parts. A goodly amount of attention has been paid to the elevating and traversing section gears and also the sights. The gunshield is in styrene and has both of the supplemental flaps installed in the erect position; however, many WWII photos show the left section folded down. As this is the WWII version, the gun shield top is swept back and not vertical as with many of the M101A1 versions used postwar.

The lower carriage includes a choice of brake drums (but no indications as to which ones or why other than there are two sets. Note that part C27 - the lunette - is shown in the combat or firing position, and if the gun is displayed in towed position it needs to be rotated 180 degrees to fit on the towing vehicle (such as a GMC CCKW 353 truck). The trails are NOT moveable as the kit comes and you are only given the option of towing (closed) or firing. “Boo birds” will be happy to know that after all of the snarls over their halftracks DML did not mold the tires with a bulge but perfectly round for this model.

As noted the crew here is from a previous DML set and uses "Gen1" figures of six parts (head, torso, arms and legs) plus kit. They have the Marine Corps style helmets with camouflage covers and also three K-Bar knives are provided as part of the accessories. In this case it locks the gun into use only with Marine Corps units in the Pacific from about mid 1943 to 1945. While the box art oddly shows at least two of the crew fitted with some sort of boots or leggings, the fact is that all four figures have unbloused utility trousers with shoes. The four new arms now provide for serving the gun with more realistic poses than the original combat ones. No weapons are provided, which for Marines could be wrong based on photos.

Figure assembly consists of photos of the "Stick Here" variety and "copy the box art" painting directions.

A small set of decals from Cartograf are provided and this time they include some specific markings for the guns.

Six finishing options are offered: all appear to be for USMC units on Iwo Jima 1945, but three are identified as "US Army" which seems wrong. The choices are basically camouflaged or olive drab, with one weapon from the 3rd Artillery Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, coming with a pin-up and the name "GYRENE GAL". Another OD weapon is named "MISS FORTUNE".

Overall this compliments the first kit and now offers a choice for our "Leatherneck" friends.

- Cookie Sewell

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105mm Howitzer M2A1 w/USMC Crew
Manufacturer: Dragon models
Scale: 1/35
Material: Styrene & Aluminium
Serial Number: 6531
Price: TBA

Introduction
The 105mm Howitzer M2A1 was produced in large numbers during WWII and became the standard light field Howitzer used by US forces, being used in both European and Pacific theatres. Dragon released an M2A1 Howitzer a year or so ago, that time with a European crew dressed for cold weather.

Kit Contents
The kit is supplied in a box similar in size to one of their earlier 2nd Generation figure sets. Inside there are four large sprues and on small one, plus a machined aluminium barrel, small decal sheet and instruction pamphlet. As you would expect, moulding is first class, no flash and no injector pin marks were there shouldn't be.

The M2A1 Howitzer itself is supplied on three of the large sprues, with the other large one and the small sprue consisting of figures.

The previous release (6499) was an M2A1 Howitzer on an M2A1 carriage, this one is on an M2A2 Carriage. The difference consists of a larger shield on this one, plus a different traversing screw. The only part that isn't in both releases is the shield...not forgetting the different crew of course. Speaking of which....

The crew represents four US Marines from the Pacific Theatre. Since this gun had a crew of eight maybe Dragon want us to buy two and have a spare gun....or we could buy three and have....oh never mind. The crew were originally US Marines Iwo Jim 6038, so they're not knew, but they look good. We're given a small sprue with a few 105mm shells on and replacement arms so that two of the figures can put their rifles down and pick up shells instead. That must be what they mean by re-arming. The cooling lines on the torso's of these figures are very prominent, so be prepared for some scraping to get rid of them...if they bother you that is. Plus there are some pouches etc, that on a more modern figure set you would expect to be supplied as separate parts, so some 're-defining' of detail might be necessary.

The gun itself, is a modern kit in every sense. Slide moulding has been used to obtain the very best detail, yet keep the parts count down. The main shield has been moulded incredibly thinly....no chamfered edges to disguise its thickness is necessary on this one. The breech block and slide are unfortunately produced in two halves, so some seam disguise will still be necessary. As in the original release the barrel is supplied as a machined aluminium part with internal rifling. The trail legs can be modelled open as in the firing position, or closed for travel.

Conclusion
Another great little kit....although the figures may well find themselves discarded in favour of others, or find themselves redundant in favour of the gun being towed by a truck. Whatever you decide to do with it....useful thing to have in your stash!