Thank you all
It took a while to figure out the differences between the A2 version the Black Dog kit came for, and the early version wich served in Vietnam.
The biggest changes are the ammo storrage and the rammer at the breach.
I scratch build the rammer and moved it to the turret and built a ammo storrage in the left turret corner.
One other difference between the original M109 short tube and the -A2 version which I’m sure you picked up on, the cover for the PanTel (panoramic telescope) on the AG side of the tube is simply a flat metal disc on a pole which extends above the roof of the turret when the pantel is installed and in use and there is no enclosed housing like the Black Dog kit has.
This arrangement with the housing was a revision which came in with the -A2 version and was NOT installed on the original -A1 versions which were the first ones with the long tube.
My unit in Germany converted from the short tube to the -A1s in 1974 and we did not have the cover for the pantel. It’s probably the easiest way to differentiate the -A1 from the -A2. Given the weather in Germany it’s a modification which was well needed.
Thanks
The AFV Club kit comes without the housing and the Part of the Black Dog kit with the pole just sticks trough
The interior is almost completed.
I won’t get into details for just the AFV Club kit as there are many build reviews already here in the forum as long as it doesn’t interfers with the interior.
That being said, the only major problem was the big floor plate. It fits in nicely but i had to put some plastic sheet pieces under it to support it better.
Also had some problems with the direct fire optics on the right side of the gun. I couldn’t get the turret roof on so i decided to detach it. Won’t be vissible anyway
Beautiful, but a small question: if you have it firing, shouldn’t those ‘spades’ at the rear be down in the ground? Especially as it is in a fixed firing position? Or was that not necessary or only done every now and than?
Nice work. The Black Dog kit is good- it does need some surgery to fit the AFV kit, but it is hard to see any fit problems once everything is closed up. I have built 2 109s with the black dog kit and the fire wall and drivers area were the hardest work to get fit and set properly.