Life-Like Hobby Kits 1/40 105mm Howitzer

Hi folks,

Well, here's a real blast from the past.

This kit was initially released by Adams Models in 1958, re-boxed by UPC in 1963 and then re-boxed by Life-Like in 1974. I've lost a few parts over the years so I had to scratch build the equilibrator, traversing handwheel & shaft, right side elevation handwheel, range quadrant, towing eye and right and left trail brackets. The kit came with some shells and empty casings (I could only find one casing) and also included a 2-piece base which I misplaced although it wouldn't surprise me if I came across it someday, ha! The gun was brush-painted using Vallejo OD with Polly Scale used for most of the uniform colors. Weathering consisted of an overall black wash followed by a dot filter using oils and then some drybrushing. The random dirt on the lower parts of the gun is just joint compound mixed with some brown craft paint and applied with a brush.

The scene is supposed to represent a gun crew in action during the Korean War. Here's a link to some great color pics of Battery B of the 58th Field Artillery Battalion, 3rd Division in
action in the Iron Triangle during the war: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dmclean2009/3665177282/in/photostream/

Thanks for looking!

6 additional images. Click to enlarge.