Alan’s B-4 Soviet 203mm Howitzer - By “Art Instructor”:
This is from my latest page - it’s the fifth page this month:
http://www.falconbbs.com/model48a.htm
Comments and suggestions are welcome!
That is an interesting (vehicle?) kit there. Where exactly is the motor to drive those tracks?
While one reference suggests there was a tractor motor hidden away, “This super heavy howitzer was one of the tools, that were used in breaking the defenses of the Finnish Mannerheim Line during the Winter War. There were at least 4 different modifications of this gun made, and it has some special characteristics. It was mounted on a special tractor mount (although it looks a bit like a self propelled howitzer, it wasn’t).”
Source: Winter War
It is often displayed with the rest of its limber.
Perth Military has a partial blog review showing a kit with more of the limber in place
ajlafleche,
Thank you for the picture and the link.
Would the tracks perhaps be for better stability on not so ideal terrain?
the early models of the B-4 howitzer had wheeled bogies that were eventually replaced by the two caterpillar tracks in its more commonly seen form. The use of the tracks allowed it to have less ground pressure. This has nothing to do with “stability” over terrain but everything about “towability” since it wasn’t powered.
That’s certainly something you don’t see every day. It’s so… russian?
Thanks for the look, MM. Now get a tractor for it.[:)]
Many thanks for all kind feedbacks and discussion on this model!
What a job this is an awesome build great job. Love the detailing is this one a model you built or one you bought. If you did it WOW. [bow]
Was hoping to see this one built up soon. I’ve been waiting for a long time for this kit. Now only if Miniart will release their tractor to pair up with this beast. It certainly is so characteristically Russian [:)]
Trumpeter is supposed to be doing a Soviet tractor that was the appropriate prime mover. Dunno it’s actual designation though.
Art Instructor built it, I would say that it is one of his better builds. Nice job AI.
[#ditto] I agree… I look forward to see more from you guys. [:D]
So far as I know… (g)
the only SP’d Gun that wasn’t on a tank chassis is the current FH70,
The Brits’ conventionally limbered 155 Howitzer, but it has a 1900cc VW motor for limited battlefield mobility
Very nice job AI. This is a kit that I’ve only seen in resin. Didn’t know that there was one available in styrene form.
Many thanks for more kind comments and compliments since my previous reply! I really appreciate them. I wonder why zokissima hope for MiniArt to release the tractor because this one is not from MiniArt, but from ALAN. What do you wish to see built up next? perhaps I’ll have some in stock. 