Tamiya 35351 US M40 Self-Propelled 155mm Howitzer 1/35 Scale Plastic Model Kit

Description

Tamiya ventured into the modeling business in 1948, with a scale wooden ship model kit. Since then, Tamiya has been striving to offer merchandise that can truly be called ‘First in Quality Around the World.’ Now Tamiya is offering more than 300 different products, both in the fields of precision static models and high performance radio control vehicles. These products are not only sold in Japan but also exported in vast quantities to the United States, Europe, South East Asia, and to many other parts of the world. The standard of excellence achieved by Tamiya is regarded as among the very finest in the world of model hobbies. This is an assembly model of the U. S. Self-Propelled 155mm M40. It is a never before seen subject in the Tamiya line-up of 1/35 scale models. The kit uses all new tooling with the exception of the suspension parts as they are from the M4A3E8 Sherman ‘Easy Eight’ model kit. The M40 was a significant step in U. S. Army artillery mechanization, pairing the M1 155mm gun with the proven M4 Sherman chassis. Armor was light given its intended use as a long range weapon (they were effective up to 23. 5km) away from the front line, while the layout was changed from the M4 to allow a big fighting compartment at the rear to accommodate the big gun. It was fitted with smooth horizontal volute spring suspension (HVSS). Over 400 were produced before the end of WWII; although they never fought in the conflict, one example of their T83 prototype did. The M40 served in the Korean War, and was eventually replaced by the M53. Kit features: realistic surface textures include cast differential cover and hull side steel plate; the big 155mm gun is recreated with exquisite detail: where possible, the construction method of the actual weapon is copied; depictions of hydraulic dampers include metal outer tubes for a super-realistic finish; the rear gate can be assembled up or down (when the gun was fired it was usually down, and the crew on it or outside); individual pulley parts are included; HVSS is succinctly and accurately reproduced, and combined with effective, hassle free belt type tracks; a range of accessories include separate shell and propelling charge depictions is included; includes photo-etched parts to recreate engine grilles; and comes with 8 figures, and 2 marking options recreating Korean War 937th Field Artillery Battalion M40s. This finely detailed plastic model kit requires assembly and painting.