I’m thinking about getting this. Has anyone built this kit yet? Are you guys familiar with Italeri’s models? How are their instructions, fit of the parts, molds, etc? Thanks in advance for the info.
I built one several years back. I don’t recall having any problems.
Prepare for the flames 
, however, an M109 is self propelled artillery, not a tank!
Thanks for the info. I got the name of the model from another website. Yes, I do know that this is an Arty piece, I am a former Army Captain. I know you were just trying to help. Thanks again.
The tracks are stiff and could be replaced with a set of indivdual tracks made by AFV Club (ex-Skybow tracks). They run about $15. The hull of the Paladin is the same M108/109 hull that has been in Italeri’s line for 20 years.
One issue with the hull (some call it major, others call it minor) is that the upper hull forward of the turret ring has a boomerang shaped object molded onto it. This was for the original M108 and M109 floatation device that was removed when the M109A1 was developed. It would take a lot of work to removed the boomerang, but the turrets cover a large portion of the object.
The turret portion is a new tool, about 6-7 years old. The kit begs for an interior, but none is included. There are some older resin interiors and engine compartments available out there.
Thanks Rob! I’ll check into those tracks. I’ve been looking around but have not been able to find any models of the FAASV. Have you? I would really like to get a hold of one to pair with the Paladin.
Nimix made one. Seems to be OOP, though. A google search showed a couple had been around for private sale.
Rob covered the only real “issues” with the Paladin. It is a pretty good kit. I have built quite a few of them.
Unfortunately, there is currently no kit of the M992 FAASV. There was an expensive resin one done by Nimmix, but it is OOP. It comes up on the trade forums and eBay every now and then. The only other option is to scratch it, using the M109 hull and building the upper section. I plan on starting one soon.
Thanks, HeavyArty! I knew you were going to way in on this eventually. Unfortunately, I’m still trying to get the building part right, and haven’t progressed to scratch building yet.
The only other thing Rob and my youger brother Heavy did not mention is if you want…you can get an aluminum barrel from Barrel Depot. Also a PE set.
That covers everything
Rounds Complete!!
[#ditto] what all the other guys said.
I used the AFV tracks, which were spectacular (if a bit time-consuming to assemble), as well as the Eduard PE set (very comprehensive) and the aforementioned BD aluminum barrel (sweet).
Two places I remember having fit issues - lot of filler on the front glacis, and the rear plate of the turret DID NOT want to fit, ended up having to cut almost an 1/8" off of each end. Maybe I got a weird one? I also neglected to remove the boomerang Rob was talking about. [
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Did this about a year ago, already see a bunch of things I would do differently if I built it now…guess that means I’m learning? [:D]
Dupes!
Noice build my man! You got me fired up now! Anymore pics to share?!
I built the M109A2 (not sure if the A2 is/was referred to as the “Paladin”) some 13 years ago and I don’t recall any difficulties beyond the typical Italeri problems mentioned above. I did question the length of the tube and I believed that I cut it down to a dimension that has long since been forgotten… maybe 1/8". You may want to verify that if you can.
I enjoy building Italeri’s kits and I do recall having a good time with this one:
Good looking howiters there Dupes and minimortar. The M109A2 is not a Paladin though. Only the latest M109A6 (as Dupes has modeled) is called the Paladin.