AFV Club 35009 Model Kit Long Tom Canon, 155 mm

The 155 mm M-59 "Long Tom" cannon was a valuable tool in the inventory of the US Army Field Artillery. This is an especially nice model of this famous gun. The "Long Toms" , along with the 105 mm and 155 mm. Howitzers were especially handy for surpressing counter-battery fire from German 88's, and were devasting to German and Japanese massed infantry attacks. Both the US Army and the United States Marine Corps in the Pacific had "Long Tom" artillery.The 155mm Gun M1 and M2 (later M59), widely known as Long Tom, were 155 millimeter caliber field guns used as a heavy field weapon and is also classed as secondary armament for seacoast defense by the United States armed forces during World War II and Korean War. The Long Tom replaced the Canon de 155mm GPF in United States service. The gun could fire a 45.36 kg (100 lb) shell to a maximum range of 22.014 km (13.7 mi), with an estimated accuracy life of 1,500 rounds.Before entering World War I, the United States was poorly equipped with heavy artillery. To address this problem a number of foreign heavy artillery guns were adopted, including the Canon de 155 mm GPF. After the end of the war development work began in the United States on a design to improve upon the existing models of heavy gun and carriage. A number of prototypes were produced in the 1920s and 1930s, but the projects were put on hold due to lack of funds. In 1938 the 155 mm Gun T4 on Carriage T2 was finally adopted as 155 mm gun M1 on Carriage M1.The Long Tom saw combat for the first time in North African Campaign on December 24, 1942, with "A" Battery of the 36th Field Artillery Battalion. Eventually it equipped about 49 battalions, including 40 in the European Theater and 7 in the Pacific. The preferable prime mover was initially the Mack NO 6x6 7½ ton truck; from 1943 on it was replaced by the tracked M4 High Speed Tractor.A small number of Long Tom guns were authorized for supply via lend lease channels, to the United Kingdom (184) and France (25).However, the authorized establishment of British batteries (excluding training units), including four batteries from the Dominion of Newfoundland, totalled 88 guns.The AFV Club Model has an aluminum barrel, with rifle for added detail. All the parts appear to be well made, and I look forward to assembling this fine model and displaying it with my 1/35 Mack and Corbitt Prime Movers.

The instructions imply building this model in only either Travel or Firing orientation; but by leaving off a couple parts, it can be converted later into each layout. I feel that this model is not for beginners; and I would have given it five stars if the instructions were more accurate.Likes: The rubber tires save the effort of painting 10 plastic wheels! The parts are molded in a color close to olive drab, so I chose not to repaint the whole model.Dislikes: The instructions/illustrations are not very complete, and I assembled two parts wrong. A few parts needed some filing or trimming to fit properly. The tiny lift-handles were too delicate to detach from the sprues without damage, so I did not use them.

This is an extremely difficult model. Many, many, many small pieces! You need a lot of patience and pic-n-stics and tweezers Be prepared to rework a lot of parts with a poor fit. My model was missing the wheels for the trailer.

nice detailed model and if you add the etched brass set just more fine details

Great detail model AFV. Makes great kits

Top notch quality . Not for beginners . Lots of intricate assembly .

Cool! Thanks

GRAT REPRODUCTION. WILL ENJOY PUTTING TOGETHER!