As mentioned in my previous post I gained some 88mm Flak guns off Dave yesterday. My plan for these is to construct three M2 or M101 105mm Howitzer Field Guns for use in my CD forces. Three guns equal three Batteries in Command Decision terms, with is probably enough for my needs. Another great thing about the M2-M101 series of Guns is their life span. 1941 until now is a proud tribute to the construction and design of these pieces, WW2,Korea,Indochina...Vietnam, these are periods I game so they will be able to be used by a multitude of forces,nice one. Lets look into the real gun for a bit.The 105 mm M2A1 (M101A1) howitzer was the standard light field howitzer for the United States in World War II, seeing action in both European and Pacific theatres. Entering production in 1941, it quickly entered the war against the Imperial Japanese Army in the Pacific, where it gained a reputation for its accuracy and powerful punch. The M101 fired 105 mm high explosive (HE) semi-fixed ammunition and had a range of 11,200 metres (12,200 yd), making it suitable for supporting infantry.
All of these qualities of the weapon, along with its widespread production, led to its adoption by many countries after the war. Its ammunition type also became the standard for many foreign countries' later models. In 1962 the artillery designation system was changed and the 105mm M2A1 howitzer became the M101A1. It continued to see service in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, with US, ARVN and ANZAC forces, Though a similar model, the M102 howitzer, shared the same roles in battle, it never fully replaced the M101. Today the 101A1 has been retired by the U.S. military, though it continues to see service with many other countries.
The Canadian Forces continued to use the M2A1 as the C1 Howitzer until 1997 when a modification was made to extend its service life. It is now designated the C3. Those improvements include a longer barrel, a muzzle brake, reinforced trails and the removal of shield flaps. It remains the standard light howitzer of Canadian reserve force units. France and the State of Vietnam used it during the First Indochina War.
A number of M2/M101 howitzers were used by Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and approximately 50 were inherited by Croatia of which 4 are still in use for training with the Croatian army. M2 Howitzers are still in service in the Australian Army Reserve, albeit in small numbers. They are gradually being replaced by L118 Light Gun and M198 Howitzers.
Cheers wiki!
Step one, I removed the actual gun from the shield, nice and easy job, thanks to the previous owner following Airfix's instructions and not cementing the gun in place.
Step two, I cut the fore end of the barrel down a tad, and cut off the tube on the Gunslide underneath.
Step three, from the Airfix Bren Carrier and 6 Pounder set I remove and start to make the 6 Pounder up. Axle, and Trail Arms are needed here...more to follow.
Of which do a shield?
ReplyDeleteThe 105 from my defrocked priest is doing nothing if you'd like it. I could toss it in an envelope and see how long it takes to cross the world. I've got no use for it barring a long and complex overhaul into a pack howitzer which looks entirely different.
ReplyDeleteMarcin, look at the next post.
ReplyDeleteArquinsiel, thanks for the offer mate, but I suggest you follow my instructions an put US type wheels on the Airfix 6 Pounder, then mount the 105 onto it. This should give you a M3 which is what you are after for your Para forces.
What you think, this is not complex mate.
Na I need the M1A1/M116 Pack Howitzer which is only a 75mm gun, so way too complex a changeover job. All my 6lbers have been claimed for various units already, and I can't really justify buying more when I found a metal manufacturer for the airborne variant of it, the 17lber and the M116 along with spme pretty spiffy crewed Para jeeps for Arnhem itself.
ReplyDelete