1/16 RC Vandra M7 Priest SP Howitzer conversion build
Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 1:23 am
Hi,
This is the start of a pet project of mine, an M7 Priest Self-Propelled howitzer in 1/16 scale.
In my usual style, I am looking at building the most accurate kit I can make, with a limited budget, during a one to two month timeframe.
The base for the conversion is the Vandra resin conversion kit that became available this year. I have built their M10, M3 and Firefly so I know what to expect. Although challenging, they have brought me great satisfaction so I am looking forward in this attempt at their M7.
Looking at the conversion kit, the first task is to determine what we are dealing with. At first sight, it looks like a Priest alright but the key question in order to build an accurate model is whether it is an M7 early, Mid, Late, or M7B1 or M7B2.
Let's look at each sections of the kit and compare against references that I have.
Hull: It's easy to see that this is not an Early model because it has the hinged armored plates on the top sides. The hole on the left side is a weird design by the vendor, the plug is attached to the ammo bins. This is something that I think could have been avoided as it creates filling work for nothing. The hinges will require fine tuning. I have not decided yet if I will use a Heng Long or Mato chassis, I have both available. Looks like Heng Long could be a better fit.
Front: Further analysis required to determine if the shape and all the angles of the parts are accurate. Seems to me some angles will require rework. There is fine welding all over and the parts are free of air bubbles, which is great.
Rear hull: Unless I am mistaken, this is the rear of a M4A4 Sherman tank, same basic shape as their Firefly kit. So, the use of a M4 Sherman rear hull instead of the M3 would identify this section as belonging to an M7B1 but it should have the engine grills of a M4A3. For an accurate M7 Mid or Late, the rear full would be different, based on the M3 with a smaller engine grill on top, 2 smaller grills on the side and a totally different arrangement at the rear. So, this area will definitely need total rework no matter what Priest model this kit ends up becoming. It would have been much simpler for the vendor to use their M3 rear hull as a base...
The 2 air filters would fit an M7 based on the M3 hull, not an M7B1 which uses the M4A3 hull. The side storage bins are the same as the M3 kit. Some other small parts like the hooks do not fit the Priest. The rear plate is missing in my kit, no big deal.
Transmission cover: This is the 3 piece transmission cover of an Early or Mid version. A Late or M7B1 version would have the Sherman 1 piece cover.
Fighting compartment floor and rear: The floor has a double diamond tread plate, it should be a smaller single diamond pattern. The rear arrangement seems to fit pictures of the M7B1. It has parts for a deep pulpit and an M2 gun is provided. The area for the driver is just one big hole so this will require brainstorming to fill the area with something that is not too bad looking. Many small parts will need to be scratch built for the interior. The ammo bin section on the right is missing 2 ammo slots, I will need to fix that.
The Gun: basic parts are provided for the 105mm M2A1 gun. I can see many parts that will need to be redone or improved. There is no gun sight provided, which is quite annoying because they are difficult to make. I saw some parts on Shapeways that will help bridging the gaps in this area. This is definitely not an M7B2 with the raised gun. Ammos are provided but they are not in their container.
So, this leave me to ponder whether to make an M7 Mid or an M7B1 model. I think the least work would be to make it an M7B1, but the thing is that I really wanted a Priest based on the M3, with M3 road wheels, early suspension and 3 piece transmission cover. If I just wanted a tank that looks like an M7, it can be left as it is, but I really want an accurate one.
So, seems we are dealing for a composite Priest kit... decisions will have to be made as to what it will be.
In any cases, this is a good base to start with and building this kit into an accurate model will just be a bit more complicated than anticipated. I will likely need the help of a 1/35 model to guide me in the conversion.
The fun starts here.
Regards, Louis
This is the start of a pet project of mine, an M7 Priest Self-Propelled howitzer in 1/16 scale.
In my usual style, I am looking at building the most accurate kit I can make, with a limited budget, during a one to two month timeframe.
The base for the conversion is the Vandra resin conversion kit that became available this year. I have built their M10, M3 and Firefly so I know what to expect. Although challenging, they have brought me great satisfaction so I am looking forward in this attempt at their M7.
Looking at the conversion kit, the first task is to determine what we are dealing with. At first sight, it looks like a Priest alright but the key question in order to build an accurate model is whether it is an M7 early, Mid, Late, or M7B1 or M7B2.
Let's look at each sections of the kit and compare against references that I have.
Hull: It's easy to see that this is not an Early model because it has the hinged armored plates on the top sides. The hole on the left side is a weird design by the vendor, the plug is attached to the ammo bins. This is something that I think could have been avoided as it creates filling work for nothing. The hinges will require fine tuning. I have not decided yet if I will use a Heng Long or Mato chassis, I have both available. Looks like Heng Long could be a better fit.
Front: Further analysis required to determine if the shape and all the angles of the parts are accurate. Seems to me some angles will require rework. There is fine welding all over and the parts are free of air bubbles, which is great.
Rear hull: Unless I am mistaken, this is the rear of a M4A4 Sherman tank, same basic shape as their Firefly kit. So, the use of a M4 Sherman rear hull instead of the M3 would identify this section as belonging to an M7B1 but it should have the engine grills of a M4A3. For an accurate M7 Mid or Late, the rear full would be different, based on the M3 with a smaller engine grill on top, 2 smaller grills on the side and a totally different arrangement at the rear. So, this area will definitely need total rework no matter what Priest model this kit ends up becoming. It would have been much simpler for the vendor to use their M3 rear hull as a base...
The 2 air filters would fit an M7 based on the M3 hull, not an M7B1 which uses the M4A3 hull. The side storage bins are the same as the M3 kit. Some other small parts like the hooks do not fit the Priest. The rear plate is missing in my kit, no big deal.
Transmission cover: This is the 3 piece transmission cover of an Early or Mid version. A Late or M7B1 version would have the Sherman 1 piece cover.
Fighting compartment floor and rear: The floor has a double diamond tread plate, it should be a smaller single diamond pattern. The rear arrangement seems to fit pictures of the M7B1. It has parts for a deep pulpit and an M2 gun is provided. The area for the driver is just one big hole so this will require brainstorming to fill the area with something that is not too bad looking. Many small parts will need to be scratch built for the interior. The ammo bin section on the right is missing 2 ammo slots, I will need to fix that.
The Gun: basic parts are provided for the 105mm M2A1 gun. I can see many parts that will need to be redone or improved. There is no gun sight provided, which is quite annoying because they are difficult to make. I saw some parts on Shapeways that will help bridging the gaps in this area. This is definitely not an M7B2 with the raised gun. Ammos are provided but they are not in their container.
So, this leave me to ponder whether to make an M7 Mid or an M7B1 model. I think the least work would be to make it an M7B1, but the thing is that I really wanted a Priest based on the M3, with M3 road wheels, early suspension and 3 piece transmission cover. If I just wanted a tank that looks like an M7, it can be left as it is, but I really want an accurate one.
So, seems we are dealing for a composite Priest kit... decisions will have to be made as to what it will be.
In any cases, this is a good base to start with and building this kit into an accurate model will just be a bit more complicated than anticipated. I will likely need the help of a 1/35 model to guide me in the conversion.
The fun starts here.
Regards, Louis