In Box Review of Verlinden 1/35th Scale M110 A1 & A2 Conversion
Kit no. 423
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: Unknown (at least 20 year ago)
MSRP: Back then - $20.00
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: Unknown (at least 20 year ago)
MSRP: Back then - $20.00
HISTORY:
The 8 inch (203 mm) M110 self-propelled howitzer is an American self-propelled artillery system consisting of an M115 203 mm howitzer installed on a purpose-built chassis. Before it's retirement from US service, it was the largest available self-propelled howitzer in the United States Army's inventory; it continues in service with the armed forces of other countries, to which it was exported.
Missions include general support, counter-battery fire, and suppression of enemy air defense systems.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Self-propelled artillery
Place of origin: United States
Wars: Vietnam War, Yom Kippur War, Iran–Iraq War, 1982 Lebanon War, Kurdish–Turkish conflict (1978–present), Gulf War
Manufacturer: General Motors (transmission)
Mass: 31.2 short tons (28.3 t; 27.9 long tons)
Length: 35 ft 5 in (10.8 m)
Width: 10 ft 2 in (3.1 m)
Height: 10 ft 2 in (3.1 m)
Crew: 13 (driver, 2 gunners, 2 loaders, (8 support crew–other vehicle))
Caliber: 203 mm (8.0 in)
Barrels: 1
Effective firing range: 16.8–25 km (10.4–15.5 mi), RAP 30 km (19 mi)
Armor: .51 in (13 mm)
Main armament: 8 in (203 mm) M201A1 howitzer
Secondary armament: none
Engine: Detroit Diesel 8V71T, 8-cylinder, 2-stroke, turbocharged diesel of 405 hp (302 kW)
Suspension: Torsion bar
Maximum speed: 30 mph (54.7 km/h)
The 8 inch (203 mm) M110 self-propelled howitzer is an American self-propelled artillery system consisting of an M115 203 mm howitzer installed on a purpose-built chassis. Before it's retirement from US service, it was the largest available self-propelled howitzer in the United States Army's inventory; it continues in service with the armed forces of other countries, to which it was exported.
Missions include general support, counter-battery fire, and suppression of enemy air defense systems.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Self-propelled artillery
Place of origin: United States
Wars: Vietnam War, Yom Kippur War, Iran–Iraq War, 1982 Lebanon War, Kurdish–Turkish conflict (1978–present), Gulf War
Manufacturer: General Motors (transmission)
Mass: 31.2 short tons (28.3 t; 27.9 long tons)
Length: 35 ft 5 in (10.8 m)
Width: 10 ft 2 in (3.1 m)
Height: 10 ft 2 in (3.1 m)
Crew: 13 (driver, 2 gunners, 2 loaders, (8 support crew–other vehicle))
Caliber: 203 mm (8.0 in)
Barrels: 1
Effective firing range: 16.8–25 km (10.4–15.5 mi), RAP 30 km (19 mi)
Armor: .51 in (13 mm)
Main armament: 8 in (203 mm) M201A1 howitzer
Secondary armament: none
Engine: Detroit Diesel 8V71T, 8-cylinder, 2-stroke, turbocharged diesel of 405 hp (302 kW)
Suspension: Torsion bar
Maximum speed: 30 mph (54.7 km/h)
THE KIT:
About Verlinden Productions:
Verlinden Productions is the epitome of aftermarket military kits and resin figures which brought thousands of military miniatures and related products to the market. The company is the brainchild of Belgian modeler Francois Verlinden, a Belgium-born entrepreneur, author of many books, photographer and military miniature artist who founded Verlinden Productions in the early 1980s.
Verlinden Productions is the granddaddy of the aftermarket parts and resin figure manufacturers. Verlinden has influenced legions of modelers, and will forever be one of the most significant figures in 1/35 scale modeling. Verlinden's outstanding eye for detail and superior quality puts him in the top echelon of his craft. The resin quality is considered as one of the best in the world.
I see it said, on several places on the web, that Verlinden has gone out of business.
This kit came in a blousy end-opening type box. It is 2 ½” too long and 1” too wide.
I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts or the decal sheet will find their way past one of the end-flaps of the box to become lost forever. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
The box art is a color photo of the model made up as the long and short-barreled versions, with the tan resin parts piled beside them.
The M110A1 is in overall olive drab while the M110A2 is in the MERDC Winter Verdant camouflage scheme.
One corner of the box art says: Made in Belgium.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit holds 10 tan resin parts packed into a zip-locked clear cello bag and the instructions.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet, that is printed on one side, in 5 ¾” x 8 ¼” format. It shows 3 assembly steps. It can be built with the long M110 A-2 barrel or the shorter A1 barrel.
This kit holds 10 tan resin parts packed into a zip-locked clear cello bag and the instructions.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet, that is printed on one side, in 5 ¾” x 8 ¼” format. It shows 3 assembly steps. It can be built with the long M110 A-2 barrel or the shorter A1 barrel.
Parts consist of the muzzle brake, long and short barrels, breech parts and 2 wood ammo lockers in tan resin. All the parts have pour lugs on them, that should be removed.
This conversion kit is designed to be used on the Italeri kit of the M110. You use the 2 recoil pistons from that kit (part no. 102C), placed between parts 65C and 67C.
The detail is excellent.
The detail is excellent.
Highly recommended.