1/35 Italeri M110A2

[MikeyKb]

Here's my entry to the SiG!


In 1969, the United States Army Armament Command began the development of a new version of the M110, which would have a longer range and fire new types of improved 203 mm ammunition. This was standardised as the M110A1 in March 1976 and entered service in January 1977. The M110A1 replaced both the M110 and M107, which were phased out of service with the US Army in Europe by 1980. It then cost less than USD100,000 to convert the M107/M110 to the M110A1/M110A2 standard.
Future US Army requirements for new heavy artillery emphasised air transportability, time into and out of action, common parts and interchangeability area of fire. A feasibility study encompassing these requirements was carried out, presented and approved at a meeting in January 1956.

Specifications:
Crew
5
Weight (kg)
28350
Length (mm)
10730
Width (mm)
3150
Height (mm)
3140
Main weapon caliber (mm)
203.2
Ammunition of the main gun
37
Traverse arc (degree)
60
Elevation (degree)
65
Depression (degree)
-2
Rate of fire (rds/min)
1
Firing range (m)
29100
Engine power output (h.p.)
405
Max. road speed (km/h)
55
Max. road range (km)
523
Vertical obstacle (mm)
1000
Trench (mm)
2300
Depth of fording, without preparation (mm)
1200

M110A2 Quantities:
BAHREIN
61
ISRAEL
72
JAPAN
91
JORDAN
100
MOROCCO
60
PAKISTAN
40
SPAIN
12
TAIWAN
75
Total:
511

Sprue shots for y'all







Gotta love injector marks in highly visible places - with the weathering I have in store for this baby, these tiny marks shouldn't be a problem


Some rubbery tracks (and a shot of the decals) - I've so far been unsuccessful in tracking down replacement tracks - So I might have to use these.



Instructions:







Already made a dumb mistake without thinking and glued the wheels on... I don't think it'll be a huge issue for me.




While starting to appear pretty big and sturdy, the fit isn't the greatest in the rear section - specifically when getting all intersections to cement to eachother



You can see my putty job - from the inside out, to seal up an intersection that just wouldn't intersect...



That's all for now - more soon!
Thanks for looking in.

[T3hGuppy]

Great shots of everything dude.

looking like this will come together quickly hoping their isn't many more fit issues for you.

[generalgrog]

So far so good...nice to see another modern in the mix.

GG

[Gav0909]

Think that this is on my list of vehicles to get to add to my modern SPG collection. While is an older vehicle now, it is still in use with some armies today I believe.

Shame about the fit issue on the rear plate, but looks like you got it sorted.

[JayCub]

Great start and an interesting alternative to some of the self propelled guns i have seen.

Tom

[alextheblue]

Welcome to the build Mikey, that is an awesome looking beast.

Great intro and some excellent progress, looking forward to seeing more!!

[reelmesh]

Welcome to the GB Mikey, nice and interesting vehicle you have there, good progress too. The wheels shouldn't be a problem, you'll just have to work around them.

[ROBOPAUL]

bubbling a long nicely. Looking forward to this one

[MikeyKb]

Time for a very photo heavy update - hope you enjoy.

I'm going to start by appologizing for not taking step by step photos... some parts of this kit have been a real pain in the pooper, however, after much fowl language, I'm very happy with how everything is turning out!

Sit back and enjoy some photos of the build.


At last I left you folks, I had just connected the hull to the bottom, as well as the side and back pieces.
Since then I've added the tools...


Managed to lose a tiny 'handle' and had to create my own... (stretching some sprue)


Done A LOT of sanding (Ultimate Thinny sticks are amazing!! They get to all the hard to reach areas - same size as the squadron sticks, however this also gives you the fat end - very well designed product, love using them!
Plow chasis


Ok, now, there were obviously a lot more steps between what you see above and this...


There are about 8 moving parts that need THE MOST REDICULOUS amount of EXTREMELY careful gluing and calls for lots of 'heated screwdrivers'... rediculous. I did use a lighter at some points and other tools, a saudering iron at one point. very frustrating, and have to have at least 3 hands to hold everything, while the other piece glues down.... however... it's pretty freaking cool!


Some piston shots.


Now how about a full body shot



A little underside action


Now some gun assembly. not very difficult. again, lots of sanding and following instructions


Lovely seam


Here's a place where i heated up the extended joint (as per instructions) to enable the arm to freely, and securely, move around.


Barrel with a seam...


Barrel without a seam... (I've since sanded the muzzle as well)


Put the platform together. as you have hopefully see, lots of moving parts. The loader at the back of the turret, as well as the turret itself.




Here's a shot with the loader and turret extended... for your (viewing) pleasure...





^&*&#$#@ lights! Very dumb construction of the lamp 'guards'. It's 3 different TEENY WEENY pieces that need to fit together... looks great, they could have made it a little easier (you can also see the streched-sprue handle I made earlier on)



Locked and loaded... and very impressive looking



Moving bay door is a nice touch




All done! I didn't put the driver's hatch on yet, I haven't figured out how I want to present it yet, and if I want it to be firing, or in transit.
In any case, I'm thinking of a NATO camo scheme as opposed to a solid Olive Drab, I want to make it super muddy, with a lot of it caked-on the rear plow. Not 'damaged weathered', I'm thinking more 'bad rain and mud conditions' - if anyone has any tips on Mud effects that would be great - I've mixed soil, water and white glue before for dios, but it doesn't come out looking like shiny, deep Mud. In any case, enough babbling, enjoy these photos.










Does anyone know what that 'rack' is for? (next to the jerry can)


Thanks guys, stay tuned for more!!

[T3hGuppy]

Damn this went together quick.

Great stuff

[ROBOPAUL]

Now that's what you call a gun
Coming together nicely.

[MikeyKb]

Quick Update:

Base coat of Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black, down! .... It took an entire bottle... is that normal?


POOF!





Now, when I put down the Olive Drab on over it, the black will give a nice base shadow. I'll be doing a NATO camo scheme with Tamiya NATO Black, NATO Brown, and Olive Drab... should look like one sexy gun!

[alextheblue]

Great job Mikey, love all those moving parts and great save with the grab handle!!!

[snappercity]

Good job so far. I built this a few years back but did it in desert sand colour. Just be careful of the double seat at the rear of the vehicle. Mine has broken off more times than I can count. The rack that you ask about I have always thought it looks like a rifle rack. I remember the Tamiya M-106 had something similar in the back filled with M16's.

[Rob]

Just caught up with this build. Nice looking kit with lots of play value! Great progress and tip-top modelling too. I'll be back for more!

[longlance67]

Just caught on this build too

and wow Mikey thats one bigass gun mate


really cool and your doing a top notch job mate

keep it up my friend



Shane,

[fly1ngdutchm4n]

Incredible build
Fast en clean building mate!
Can't wait to see it painted!

[MikeyKb]

Incredible build
Fast en clean building mate!
Can't wait to see it painted!

Thanks!!
Hoping to get some paint on there tonight -- at least the Olive Drab, and then work on the camo from there.

[chief5437]

Looks great, especially with the gun elevated, so mean looking! Great build mate.

[MikeyKb]

I was able to sit down and get the camo paint scheme done. This was my FIRST time EVER doing a camo scheme, and I completely free-handed it... I'm pretty happy with how it turned out - I mean, this was something done by men, not machines, so always a little room for human error

I used Tamiya Acrylic paints - started with a base coat of (a full bottle) Tamiya Flat Black, then did a coat of Tamiya Olive Drab, allowing for shading with the base, Black coat.




I then used Tamiya NATO Brown (how fitting ) for level 1 (or is it 2...) of the camo scheme...





This was INCREDIBLE practice for me with airbrush control, and I honestly think I reached a new level in comfort and use of my airbrush (and a little more understanding)... then added the final camo level... Tamiya NATO Black...









Soooo.... unfortunately, the only tracks I can find for this bad-boy are the rubberized ones that came with the kit, so with the intention of doing some pretty heavy sand and mud weathering on the M110 (tracks included - but definitely looking forward to the back hoe) I gave the tracks a quick misting of Tamiya Chrome Silver, so that when I rub away the pigments and washes, the silver bits can shine through... we'll see how this turns out



Here t'is again after the paint had time to dry some more



I'm super happy with it!!! I got some detailing to do still before the decaling and weathering. I decided to paint the bench a dark grey, with a darker grey oil wash, it won't be as light. So far this kit's been a lot of fun to play with - and the size of the gun is definitely impressive - I'm also super happy I haven't broken off any pieces. Now that I've decided to set it up in firing mode, I'll put the drivers hatch on, as well as get some of the ammo pieces put together for the dio.

I really want to do this to the barrel - I'm thinking cheese cloth and some sort of static grass??? maybe scale-leaves?? If anyone has an idea of how I can pull this off (scratch building), it would be incredible appreciated!!


Cheers!!
Thanks for stopping by!

[T3hGuppy]

Great work on the camo dude.

As for the barrel camo net.

I would use cheese cloth or something similar.

[Tiger131]

that guns got to have one hell of a kick to it..and top work on the build and the camo look quality look forward to the weathering stage

[Mike00]

Great work. The camo looks really good

[NAMBiohazard]

Great work on the build
Would hate to meet one of those on the battlefield

[fly1ngdutchm4n]

Superb paint job Mikey!
Very good camo painting too
And cheese cloth would work the best I think.

[MikeyKb]

So, unfortunately I didn't make the deadline for the Steel Rain SIG. However, that doesn't mean I don't plan on finishing this beast!

Here's a long overdue update for those interested.

Here are some detailing shots before decals, after a gloss coat








After the very few decals.



Then I decided to try something new for the base. I want it to look as if it's in some deep, wet mud.
I mixed together 2 parts Drywall compound, 2 parts soil, and a nice heap of white glue..



It mixed up quite well and was easily spread on to the base (taped up picture frame) - by using potting soil, sometimes you get nice surprises, like the root that you can see. I really like it.


All gone


Added some Field Grass and mixed it up a bit


Then I let it sit


I decided to muddy up the tracks with Ultimate Mud. Worked GREAT!!





I got the tracks on the beast and realized that I had to set her in the base as soon as possible to get a true imprint... I got carried away and managed to cement the M110A2 to the base with the drywall compound. That's alright though, it'll allow me to weather it all together. Sooo, without further ado...
IT WORKED!!! .... almost... needs to be darker... I'm gonna work on that.









Started doing some dry brushing for added detail and wear and tear on the vehicle from boots and such.




That's all for now Thanks for stopping in.

[gustavlekstal]

That is a massive gun of joy =) Great work!

[snappercity]

Good job. That's looking the business in the mud.

[Lego]

Love it!

[UKguyInUSA]

Love the muddy diorama effect, looks real! Overall, great job so far.

Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,

Martin

[LeoDahlin]

Great build! Looks awesome!