Introduction

Vision Models recently launched a new version of the US M1A1 75mm pack howitzer. This was a brave first release and the item was reviewed here on Armorama by Jim Rae (click here). Resicast have just released a useful update and ammo set for the Vision kit, which although quite good, was not without some faults. This set should be a very useful upgrade and conversion set for the modeller, and add or correct some of the faults of the original kit.

The kit

The set comes packed in the standard small sturdy Resicast cardboard box, with cover showing the conversion parts for the kit. You get both upgraded parts for the US version, as well as conversion parts for the UK version, plus ammunition containers and a range of individual shells and casings, a set of replacement wheels, and a small fret of PE.

The parts are cast in a light grey resin, and come packed in 5 separate plastic zip bags which themselves are wrapped in bubble wrap for extra protection. All seemed free from any damage or air bubbles. Also included with the set is a small fret of PE and a folded 12 page A5-sized book of instructions.

the review

The parts themselves look highly-detailed, and will need minimal clean-up, though it may ne necessary to drill-out or sand-down some of them for a perfect fit. Many of the parts are quite small, so some time and patience will be required for this conversion/upgrade. As the set contains both parts for a US and UK version of the howitzer, you will need to study the instructions carefully.

Those instructions are laid-out in a logical manner, with good clear pictures of the parts and part numbers, which should aid building considerably. The last 2 pages are given over to several black & white reference pictures which are of fairly good quality. Options are included for the towing or firing position, so plan ahead.

Jim Rea listed some useful links at the bottom of his review on the vision kit and I have included them here again for convenience: Check your reference for the version you want to build and remember the normal precautions when working with resin apply.

References:

British version - Pegasus Archive

USMC version – WW2 Gyrene

US Army version - US Amry Models

Toadman’s Tank Pictures

Conclusion

I am no artillery expert, but from the references I have looked-at, the replacement parts would appear to be very accurate. As usual with Resicast, the casting is excellent and the detail sharp and crisp. The replacement UK wheels will be welcome by many, including myself: this set gave me the opportunity of a cost-effective British Airborne version of the 75mm pack, so I’m very happy on that point. The addition of the shells, shell casings and ammo stacks should provide modellers everything they need for a very good representation of this weapon, regardless of which version you wish to complete. When finished, the set should make a very nice stand-alone weapon or small diorama.