105mm Howitzer M2A1 & Carriage M2A2
1:35 Kit Comparison
kit #AF35182 - kit #6531
Review by Terry Ashley

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(Step 3,4) The trails have the top and both sides moulded as one with just a separate bottom section that fits precisely with bevelled edges to leave a very clean join There are a few moulded on locating lines applicable to the earlier M2 carriage that need to be removed, these are shown in the instructions.

The locking arm brackets are added to the front edge of each trail and it’s important to note the part numbers and allow the assembled arms to dry completely before fitting to the carriage. There are numerous smaller details added to the trails and apart from the usual mould seams there are no problems fitting these, including the one piece spades. The spades have a couple of large pin marks on the inside surfaces that are easy to remove with the spades being moulded quite thin for a good appearance.

The multi part draw bar can be fitted in the towing or firing position as required so you should decide this and glue the bar in the appropriate position. The only issue with the trails is the two separate gun lock brackets (parts A12, A13) are located about 1mm too far back on the trail arm and don’t mate to the locking tabs on the gun carriage.

You should cut off the small locating strips on the trail arms and leave the lock brackets off until later when the gun and trails have been fitted together so you can align the gun cradle tabs with the gun lock brackets to ensure they fit together correctly in the travel mode.

The trails are attached to the lower carriage with large pins (parts D16) on the main trail arms and smaller locking pins (parts D12) to secure the trails in the open firing position, there is fine etched securing chain provided for the smaller pins. These pins should be fitted without gluing to allow the trails to move and they will remain in place providing you don’t pick the model up and waive about.

(Step 5,6,7) The trails are made up of two L shaped halves that fit together neatly with the spades added to the end, the spades are a bit on the thick side especially the support brackets and thinning these will improve the appearance.

The locking arm brackets (parts c13) are moulded solid meaning you have to cut off the bracket tabs on the axle to fit the trails in the firing position, the trails themselves are not designed to move and have to be glued into the required travel or firing position so you need to make this decision as the trails are attached to the axle mountings.

The two part draw bar can be fitted in the towing or firing position as required so you should decide this and glue the bar in the appropriate position along with the position of the trails. Much of the detail on the trails is again lacking detail definition such as the rear locking clips which are moulded solid in one piece for travel or two pieces for firing mode.

Basic trail parts and assembled trail (only one trail arm shown for clarity).
Note the pin marks to be removed from the AFV Club spade and overly thick DML spade supports.

Details of the trail attachment to the bottom carriage.
The AFV Club trails are attached with a pivot pin allowing full movement between firing and travel modes by way of the open attachment brackets
and securing pin, fine etched chain is also provided (not shown) to fit to the attachment pin and bracket for added detail.
The DML trails can only be glued into either the firing or travel modes and the solid attachment brackets means you have to cut off the
carriage tab to fit the trails in firing mode.

Towing drawbar in the firing position, note the more refined details on the AFV Club parts including the open and movable trail securing latch.

Towing drawbar in the travel position, note the more refined details on the AFV Club parts including the open and movable trail securing latch
that fit to the bracket on the opposing trail arm compared to the single solid DML part.

Trail travel lock brackets, the AFV Club brackets are separate parts and need to be moved about 1mm forward to mate with the carriage pins.
The DML brackets are moulded with the trails and have less refined details but are in the correct position.
Again the small hand grip shouldn't be fitted to the AFV Club elevation wheel as indicated.

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