105 mm Field Howitzer M2.A1

ROCO 1:87 Scale Artillery Review

This abandoned field howitzer has been painted flat olive drab (FS 34087) to represent a weapon used by the Forces Françaises Libres (FFL) from 1943 to 1945. The model requires no assembly, it is sold ready to play, although serious modellers may detail the weapon further to add visual appeal. Suitable gunners may be converted from old Airfix US Marines which are small enough to match the 1:87 scale howitzer. The howitzer and crew will be mounted on a standard wargame base which may be used to represent French artillery from World War Two to Indochina and beyond. French field howitzers of this type are featured in Pierre Schoendoerffer’s film The Battle of Diên Biên Phú which dramatically portrays the French Stalingrad of May 1954.

Contents

• 105 mm L.23 Field Howitzer M2.A1

Evaluation

• The model has only 8 parts and is sold fully assembled, ready to play.
• The split trails and elevating mechanism are working parts.
• The cast-on detail is very accurate and paints well.
• Compatible with HO scale model railroad equipment and miniatures by Märklin, ROCO, Faller, Pola, Preiser, and Noch.

• Noticeably flash on the pneumatic tires needs to be sanded off prior to painting.
• The ROCO logo and large capital letters on the howitzer trails should be carved or sanded off.
• The muzzle should be drilled open to add realism.
• The lower section of the howitzer shield would be folded up in the travelling position when the howitzer is being towed. Carefully separate the two sections of the shield and attach the lower section at a 90 degree angle.

Possible Conversions

• 105 mm Field Howitzer (L) M2.A1/A2
  This NATO upgrade of the M2.A1 Field Howitzer features a longer barrel, muzzle break, turn signals and other minor modifications.

The ROCO field howitzer is a nicely detailed model which needs no assembly and paints up very well. ROCO HO scale models are not strictly compatible with 1:76 or even 1:72 scale military miniatures, but they are a relatively cheap and readily available source of equipment for the modern armour wargamer.

Frequently Asked Questions

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– Published: 21.01.2001 – Updated: 18.09.2002
© 2001-2011 by IDL Software GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany. All rights reserved.