These arrived today. The Howitzers are stunning as is the Abrams. The packaging was impressive. I wish I would have thought to take pics before I removed them from the box. The howitzers actually fire included artillery rounds. 
"Go ahead, make my day!"
These will be added to my Veterans' Day military consist!
Replies sorted oldest to newest
How much damage do the rounds do? 
Nice addition to a military train.
I'll have to wait until my grandson, the gunner, arrives! 
Thanks.
I picked up a set of the Premier cars with the tanks on them, they are amazing! Superb job MTH!
The “Howitzers” look out of Scale!
Scale or not, I ordered two Premier flats.
Fredstrains posted:The “Howitzers” look out of Scale!
So is the tank. The tracks on those things overhang the edge of a flat car by quite a bit.
But they shoot shells! Fire away!
-Greg
Big Jim posted:Fredstrains posted:The “Howitzers” look out of Scale!
So is the tank. The tracks on those things overhang the edge of a flat car by quite a bit.
Seem to be prototypical to me - these are not your grandfather's weapons
https://www.google.com/search?...iw=1920&bih=1055
The M1 Abrams seems to be scale proportioned. Remember, the real one weighs 60 tons plus when loaded and is considerably larger than the World War 2 vintage M4 Sherman tank.
Ed Boyle
ToledoEd posted:Fredstrains posted:The “Howitzers” look out of Scale!
Here's another pic with 2 O scale soldiers next to the Howitzers.
Korean War 105.
The upper photo of the model looks too big, in my opinion, for the small, towed 105 (note how much smaller/lower to the ground the real one is in the lower photo). The nice small, towed 105s we had in the 2nd Armored Division (1965 & 1966), looked like the photo of the Korean War 105. I'm wondering if the MTH model might be a towed 155?
I was considering building a 155mm Long Tom (Built one of those when I was kid) and put it on a flat car...then i saw these MTH Howitzers and decided to buy them. I agree, the barrel for sure looks too long.
Ed Boyle posted:The M1 Abrams seems to be scale proportioned. Remember, the real one weighs 60 tons plus when loaded and is considerably larger than the World War 2 vintage M4 Sherman tank.
Ed Boyle
Seems to me, the Abrams is pretty well scaled, although the comment about the track overhang is right. I looked at a number of photos of these beasts on flatcars and the tread does overhang a bit.
ToledoEd posted:I was considering building a 155mm Long Tom (Built one of those when I was kid) and put it on a flat car...then i saw these MTH Howitzers and decided to buy them. I agree, the barrel for sure looks too long.
Well, the "Long Tom" Howitzers we had (one battery of them) were 175mm. They were eventually taken away from us in late 1966, and sent to Viet Nam. Thus, all we had remaining were some towed 105mm, a bunch of self-propelled 155mm, quite a few 8" self-propelled, and two Honest John rockets. By far the absolute best, and most accurate, Howitzer was the 8" self-propelled; 220 pound projectile and with white bag propellent, was good for 20 miles.
Speaking of long barrels, an atomic cannon from the early 1950s on display at the "Nuclear Museum" in Albuquerque, NM:
Are we sure this is not a 105 "Recoilless rifle ' ? The mth Howetizers resemble 155s and not the 105'.. that would justify the longer barrel... remember rarely are these accessories actually perfect 1:48 scale. Probably closer to 1:43, 1:45...
When I was in the first Armored Infantry Div. our M60A1, 120 ton tanks, tracks, hung way over the rail cars. Especially when on exercises in Germany, when we moved equipment by rail from Graphinvere to KT on Reforger war games... So Ed, your tanks tracks hanging over are prototypical...
It's been a long time since I was in tube artillery, but I do not recognize this model. The carriage sort of looks like a hybrid 155 M1 (Long Tom) carriage, but it's missing the second set of wheels. The howitzer mount, elevating mechanism, equilibrator, recuperator, recoil cylinders, and muzzle brake are of unknown design. But, having said that, I'll be the first to admit that it's not fair to compare this to a scale model. It's an approximation and it makes a great flat car load.
Which reminds me … didn't Life Like produce M1A1 105mm howitzers in 1:40 or 1:44 scale back in the day?
I had a toy Atomic Cannon back in the 1960s. As I recall, it was Blue and Orange plastic and shot plastic shells. I think it was made by Ideal. Definitely considerably larger than O scale!
Chris
LVHR
Moonman posted:Big Jim posted:Fredstrains posted:The “Howitzers” look out of Scale!
So is the tank. The tracks on those things overhang the edge of a flat car by quite a bit.
Seem to be prototypical to me - these are not your grandfather's weapons
https://www.google.com/search?...iw=1920&bih=1055
You and Ed need to look a lot closer!
Ed Boyle posted:The M1 Abrams seems to be scale proportioned. Remember, the real one weighs 60 tons plus when loaded and is considerably larger than the World War 2 vintage M4 Sherman tank.
Ed Boyle
The key words being "scale proportioned"! It may very well be scale proportioned, but, to what? Not 1:48.
The 105mm appear to be like the modern M119A1 - long barrel lightweight weapon - about 20ft long
Carl, they sure do. 
I have been looking for a 1:48 Long Tom for my military consist. Remember having one with my 1960's Lionel that I built from plastic kit . May have been a Revel kit, came with a half track to tow. Had no luck surfing the web, does anyone know of a source for this? The piece with the MTH flat is identical to one put out by Solido back in the '70s. Ft. Sill, down by Lawton, Oklahoma, has a nice artillery museum, including a set of the Atomic Cannon as pictured above.
Jesse TCA 12-68275
If you ask me I think they look just fine! Makes a nice load on the flat car!
Not sure what they are, took this picture at camp Summerall Korea in 1971. A 1/15 FA
texastrain posted:I have been looking for a 1:48 Long Tom for my military consist. Remember having one with my 1960's Lionel that I built from plastic kit . May have been a Revel kit, came with a half track to tow. Had no luck surfing the web, does anyone know of a source for this? The piece with the MTH flat is identical to one put out by Solido back in the '70s. Ft. Sill, down by Lawton, Oklahoma, has a nice artillery museum, including a set of the Atomic Cannon as pictured above.
Jesse TCA 12-68275
Good eye! They are Solido models according to the package containing a little wrench that came in the box.
Looks like a M-114A2 from the front.
texastrain posted:I have been looking for a 1:48 Long Tom for my military consist. Remember having one with my 1960's Lionel that I built from plastic kit . May have been a Revel kit, came with a half track to tow. Had no luck surfing the web, does anyone know of a source for this? The piece with the MTH flat is identical to one put out by Solido back in the '70s. Ft. Sill, down by Lawton, Oklahoma, has a nice artillery museum, including a set of the Atomic Cannon as pictured above.
Jesse TCA 12-68275
Bandai, made a 1/48 WWII Long Tom kit as well as many other US and German armor, artillery, and accessory kits, including halftracks. They are getting kinda rare and pricey, alas!
texastrain posted:I have been looking for a 1:48 Long Tom for my military consist. Remember having one with my 1960's Lionel that I built from plastic kit . May have been a Revel kit, came with a half track to tow. Had no luck surfing the web, does anyone know of a source for this?
Jesse TCA 12-68275
It was a Revell kit. From 1956-57. 1/40th scale. I had one, too. It was a neat model. They did a lot of reisses of classic Revell kits, a number of years ago, anyway - not sure if this one was done or not. The ad is from a 1957 issue of Popular Science magazine. My favorite armor kits way back in the day were the ones done by Renwal - Blueprint Models. Too large for O Gauge, though.
gunrunnerjohn posted:How much damage do the rounds do?
Palallin, Yes, have seen the kits, and prices, of the Bandai models! Too much for my blood.... just wish to have a couple for loads on military flats. But, not at the cost of an entire rail line!!
Breezinup, Yes, have also seen the kit shown with the tractor included to tow the Long Tom. However, I distinctly recall, with certainty, the model I had made use of a half-track. No doubt about it, it was a half-track. I placed them on my flats too many times to not remember, and the half-track was a little wider than the dual tired axle of the Long Tom. As noted above, have seen the Bandai model kits.. way too expensive. Also, have located a source for the Solido artillery pieces. But, the ones I located, by Solido in the 1970s, are priced around $100... each! Must have grown some diamond crystals on them while in storage...….
So... still seeking some reasonable priced Long Toms in approx. 1:48 scale for military loads. If successful, will pass on the information. Hmmmmm….. Looking at the artillery piece situated on the KMT US Army flat #42010...….. Take it off the flat, place a carriage with dual axle underneath, some detail work added...…. Hmmmmmmmm……….
Jesse TCA
texastrain posted:Breezinup, Yes, have also seen the kit shown with the tractor included to tow the Long Tom. However, I distinctly recall, with certainty, the model I had made use of a half-track. No doubt about it, it was a half-track. I placed them on my flats too many times to not remember, and the half-track was a little wider than the dual tired axle of the Long Tom.
Jesse TCA
I'm quite sure Revell never made a half-track to go with the Long Tom. Actually, I don't recall that Revell ever made a half-track at all. Monogram made one, though, although it was 1/35, a somewhat larger scale than the Revell Long Tom.
You may be remembering the Monogram model. And if your half-track was wider than the Long Tom, as you say, that's probably because the half-track was 1/35 scale whereas the Long Tom was 1/40.
A MoPac Mike moves a Main Train through Notch Junction on its way to overseas deployment.
2 Bandai Halftracks, 1 M13, 1 M3A1
1 Bandai 155mm Long Tom
1 Bandai M30 Ammo Carrier/Prime Mover
1 Tamiya M4 Sherman (I can't remember the designation for this version)
I came across this image of a 155 Long Tom model on The Google. It's a shame Life Like (or someone) doesn't re-release it/them. They may not be the exact scale we need, but it ain't bad.
The new MTH flatcars with military equipment loads have been very popular. We still have some Premier and Railking in stock. My favorite is the Premier with the ambulances and the latest M1A Abrams Tank on the Railking flatcars. Good job MTH!
I also was impressed with the packaging. So much so that I did take some pics. The howitzers are 1:43 scale according to the product description at MTH. They do look big. They dwarf my 1:48 scale Shermans. But I still like them.
I remove the sharpener and spray paint these in olive drab for excellent howitzer loads ( see the reviewers uploaded photo) -
OK you Hooked me, I just placed my order with Nicholas Smith. They will ship on Monday.
Yeah.... they look to be a little bit on the too large size from what I discern. Still looking nice, but perhaps need to be an inch, or so, smaller to look correct. But hey, it is model trains, not rivet counting scale trains.. right?
Jesse TCA 12-68275
Speaking of some nice railguns to model...……..
Jesse TCA 12-68275
texastrain posted:Speaking of some nice railguns to model...……..
Jesse TCA 12-68275
Could these things rotate 90 degrees left or right?
No, they could only traverse 2 degrees either side of center.
I was reminded this morning that Aurora used to do 1/48 scale armor and artillery, too. They put out a nice set of an 8" howitzer (same carriage as the 155mm Long Tom) and its prime mover, for example. You can find those on the auction sites, too, but they are far more dear than even the Bandai.
Maybe Atlantis will be able to reissue those. I would be in for multiple sets! I want to put a whole battery on one train 
The American Big Gun could when they were installed at Fort McArthur in California. There were two of them, set upon prepared mounts and the trucks removed from under them. Also, some "Big Guns" were located to large radius loops, with motive unit(s) so they could be positioned proper orientation to achieve targeting.
Jesse TCA 12-68275
Palallin.. Have you heard of a French Model company called, believe this, GASOLINE. Yes, and they make great looking, detailed models that are "ready to paint" in 1:48 scale. And, the prices are not high, within reason. And, along with the Long Tom, they also make many types of military pieces, of different nations and eras. I have looked at their site, but waiting on some 3D printed 1:48 Long Toms ordered, for the very low cost under twenty dollars each. Will most likely have to detail more, but when painted and partially boxed/covered as done to be shipped by rail...……...
Jesse TCA
Sure, but I haven't looked at their stuff in years. Usta was, they were near the top of the price list. Maybe the intervening years--and the advent of 3D printing--have rendered their products more economical. Thanks for the tip. I need to look at them again.
Has anyone out there built the Atlantis howitzer kits? If so, how about photos and opinions. 20.00 per kit and supposed to be true 1:48
I did buy the mth cars but I ended up putting the guns on G scale flats.
I did not see a thread or reference to the rail king howitzer version. It is supposed to be a bit smaller than the premier howitzers at 1:50 versus 1:43. Has anyone compared these two and is the rail king really closer to scale? Thanks
@jini5, just bought an Atlantis 1:48 kit, will let you know how it works out if you have not built one.
I bought the MTH cars but will be using the howitzer on G flats at the club.
@texastrain posted:Yeah.... they look to be a little bit on the too large size from what I discern. Still looking nice, but perhaps need to be an inch, or so, smaller to look correct. But hey, it is model trains, not rivet counting scale trains.. right?
Jesse TCA 12-68275
Jesse,
The howitzers look to me to be 1/43 scale not 1/50. I believe the M1 Abrams tanks are 1/56. Both 1/43 and 1/56 are either on the larger side of 1/48 and 1/56 is on the smaller side of what is acceptable for O scale. I do think the M1 Abrams are less objectionable because the actual M1s are so large a slightly smaller 1/56 model is not that objectionable. Where as a 105 mm howitzer was not physically gigantic the 1/43 model really is a little too big. I especially would not have the M1 tanks on the same train as the howitzers.
Hokie,
MTH uses the same howitzers on both premier and Railking. The only difference is one vs two and the scale flatcar in premier. MTH is not that accurate stating scale sizes.
JohnB
I have all of the modern military equipment in both green and tan versions offered by MTH. Scale or not scale I don't really care, they are very nicely done.
I'm not a rivet counter by any means so I buy what I like. But the one thing I could never understand is why people, that are stickler's for exact/scale prototypical reproductions preorder models before they've had a chance to inspect them, or buy them knowing there not 100% scale and compline.
You know there's a word for "doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result"
@NYC 428 posted:I have all of the modern military equipment in both green and tan versions offered by MTH. Scale or not scale I don't really care, they are very nicely done.
I'm not a rivet counter by any means so I buy what I like. But the one thing I could never understand is why people, that are stickler's for exact/scale prototypical reproductions preorder models before they've had a chance to inspect them, or buy them knowing there not 100% scale and compline.
You know there's a word for "doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result"
NYC 428,
I agree MTH did a great job on all their military flatcars. I put my military train together prior to MTH started offering Military loads. I do have a few MTH cars on my train however I did modify them by removing the pieces of plastic holding the vehicles on the flats. As far as scale goes I feel O scale vehicles can be anywhere from 1/43 to 1/56. As a general rule I stayed away from 1/43 unless I really liked the vehicle. I think there are 2 1/43 vehicles on my train.
I do feel that the more important factor in preparing a military train is era of the train. I wanted my train to honor my father who served under Patton during WWII. I see videos of military trains with Sherman tanks along with helicopters and missiles on other flatcars or Sherman’s and Bradley fighting vehicles on the flatcars. To me this is the big no no, not scale fidelity.
johnB
Atlantis has a link to a video on color suggestions on the 8" howitzer model. Impressive model. I need to get a scale flat car now that the kit has arrived.
Love that howitzer. When I was a kid and had many plastic models, I had this unit. I we all took our models and blew them up. Oh well. Ordered one off of Amazon.
@hokie71 posted:Atlantis has a link to a video on color suggestions on the 8" howitzer model. Impressive model. I need to get a scale flat car now that the kit has arrived.
Thanks for posting this. I picked up three from my local Hobby Lobby for flat car loads and this video will definitely help.
@hokie71 posted:@jini5, just bought an Atlantis 1:48 kit, will let you know how it works out if you have not built one.
Hokie, had 8 of these built for a while now. I found it easier to build more than 1 at a time. You can whip them out pretty quick and then paint them all at once. It saves alot of time (if you plan on building more than 1). Hers's a few pics of 2 of the howitzers sitting on a Menards 50' scale flat car. What I like about the Menards car is that it has a wood deck, the deck sits low to the rails, is 1/48 scale, rotating bearing caps, and the price. What I dont like about the Menards car is that they just dont roll very well. I am also sending a few pics of the real thing. I took the pics of the real thing in Alliance Ohio.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
