Vision Models
Metal gun barrel for
M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzer

Vision Models 1:35 Kit #VA9001

Review by Terry Ashley

The Kit:
Vision Models has released this update set for their own kit of the M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzer (kit #VM35001 which consists of sprue A from the Pack Howitzer kit with 8 parts in olive drab plastic plus a turned brass barrel.

The standard of plastic moulding is good with just the usual sprue attachment burs and fine moulding seams to deal with while the brass barrel does not require any cleanup at all and has the muzzle hollowed out with an inner lip for the actual barrel tube.

kit parts
Vision Models

unfortunately someone at Vision Models has not through this set through as it simply can't be used on my kit without some major surgery. In the kits I have (3 of them) the barrel is moulded with the bottom sleigh as one piece and to hollow this out for the metal barrel is a monumental task.

Barrel/sleigh parts as they come in my kits, moulded as one piece
Vision Models

In the set instructions is shows to use parts B41 and B42 from the kit, these are separate bottom sleigh halves designed to take the metal barrel but these parts are not in my three kits, I can only assume they have been added to the Pack Howitzer kit after the initial production run.

Metal barrel with breech added
Vision Models

But where does that leave anyone who bought the kit when first released, nowhere really as this update set is of little use and it should really have included the new parts B41 and B42 so those modellers could actually use the barrel?

Conclusion:
While the brass barrel is nice and cleanly machined and fitting the plastic parts provided is quick and easy the set is of little value to anyone who bought the initial release of the Pack Howitzer kit. Before buying this update set you had best check your kit has the added bottom sleigh parts B41 and B42 or be in for some major work.

Not recommended unless you have the updated Pack Howitzer kit, if you do then this is a quick and easy update to add the metal barrel.

Thanks to my credit card and the excellent service fromRainbow Tenfor the review kit.


Page created July 19, 2009