It’s been a while since I’ve shown any work here in the armor forum. It’s time to put down the wingy thingy’s for a while.
My next project will be Italeri’s 1/35 105mm Howitzer (M101). My father was a Marine Corps Artillery Officer in the late 60’s and early 70’s. I believe all of his units were equipped with M101A1’s. I don’t want to ask him very many questions, because his Birthday is coming up.
So, my questions are…
Does the M101A1 sound correct for the US Marine Corps in the 60’s or 70’s? I worry that I’m getting the designations mixed up.
What are the differences between M101’s and M101A1’s?
What’s the best reference book to buy?
Here’s what I have.
I also got this old ammo crate from a hippy girl. She was using it for a coffee table.
I am no expert in this field, but I can swear I saw some of those pieces in a motor pool on Camp Pendleton in 1991! If that is true, 60s and 70s would certainly be feasible.
My old man spent alot of time at Pendleton. His guns and those guns may be one in the same. I think they still use 105’s for ceremonies. M198’s must be too big.
The M101A1 was the primary light howitzer for USMC up through the early 90s. If your Dad was in during the 60s and 70s…He was on a M101A1.
The differences are slight between the M101 and M101A1, the main noticable difference is the tires. The actual difference is in the carriage. The Italeri is an A1.
I would leave the shields on. Most that I saw during my time had the shields on.
Then do a search for TM-9-1015-203-10. That is the Technical Manual for the weapon and the best book on it! If you search M101A1 Howitzer pics, you will get plenty
As far as color…USMC, 60s & 70s…OD Green. Breech block is a steel color Otherwise…thats about it.
The weapon was towed by M35A1 / A2, duec& 1/2. AFV has a kit. Verlinden make a 105mm ammunition kit and another ammo crate kit.
If after that you still are looking for more information, Pull my lanyard and I’ll give you a hand.
This has got to be my all-time favorite Italeri kit and probably the only kit that I ever had multiples of. I don’t know the ins and outs of the weapon or the accuracies of the kit but, it’s just a great kit to build.
I remember hanging around many of these as a kid on Ft. Devens with my dad. Probably the only drawback to the real weapon was that it weighed in at around 2-1/2 tons (IIRC).
I built this - April 1985…
And just for laughs and as that eight year old ‘kid’…
Large Industrial Park mostly however, the reserve presence remains with increased federal funding due in the near future. South Post ranges also remain and are quite busy. Got a ride in an (active component) Abrams and to reminise in the 113 in 2004.
Yep, sad day in 1995 when they lowered the colors for the last time. I have a lot of fond memories of Devens.
Rob, can you remember the first time you ever drove a track? I still remember the Sargent pointing out this one lone dead tree out in the middle of nowhere, and telling us to stay away from it (don’t hit it!!) And of course I ran right smack dab into it!!! Head on at that!
Hard to believe that it has been four years Rob. My last hoorah on Devens was at your motorpool and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way!
The lard arse…
Gary,
We had a student driver take on a rather large pine tree on the M113 course at Ft. Polk. Guess what won. He was lifted out of the driver’s well by the shirt collar, out cold with his blood and chicklets all over the place. Unfortunately others in the rear were slammed forward and injured.
I have another question for you guys. Which lever position is “brakes on” for the wheel brakes on the howitzer carriage? Reference pics have been inconclusive. Some pics have one brake lever up and one down while the gun is in firing postion. That’s how I intend to display the model.
Let me state upfront that I am no authority on military hardware but have built the model and did some research around for it.
I believe the 105mm Howitzer was designated as M2A1 (M101) and saw action in WW2, Korea and Vietnam; it was upgraded sometime after WW2 and was known as M101A1. I do not know what the upgrades were but I suspect they were minor and on item was probably the towing hitch.
Old Guy - You are correct in the service from WWII to VN. The M101A1 went out of service in the early 90s (last units using it were NG units and 6th div artic) and all 105mm were replaced by the M119. The 6th was disbanded also in the early 90s.
As far as the differences, as I stated above the carriage modifications and other minor items changed the M101 to the M101A1. The M2 to M101 was just a re-designation in the early 50s.
Over 10,000 were produced and still see service with many smaller nations.
being as he’s doing a gun from the Marines up north, just about everything they did was to shoot from a parapit. Brakes mean very little there, as the main thing your after is a solid anchor of the spades against the blocking between the PSP. On the 155’s I was on, I can’t ever recall the brakes ever being set. Still I doubt it really matters much with a 105 as they tend to bounce a bit when they play with those charge sevens.
I trained on the M101’s, and also was around the M101a1’s. I can’t think of a difference except maybe the dual control from the gunner’s side of the breach. Reason I say this, is that I can’t remember there being an extra wheel for the quadrant. Could also be a difference is the way the breach is activated, but nothing really external there.
Squeakie - I agree with your note from VN. And yes…the main thing to hold the gun recoil is the spades. Yes, with charge seven, if the spades are dug in and possibly reinforced with sand bags, logs etc. she will bounce.
Standard practice was to engage the brakes. Many times in VN the brakes were not engaged if the crew felt they may have to shift the trails. Either way…you need the spades or your going for a ride.
The breech on the M101A1 was a horizontal breech. The handle was only on the AG side and mechanically moved the breech from right to left while closing. I think you are confusing the pig (M114) which had dual controls.
And yes…there was really nothing external between the two.
