M8 Howitzer - Advice Needed

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Hey Folks,

I am planning a project for this fall (no GBs for me this fall). It involves Tamiya’s M8 Howitzer. I have the kit on the way, and am looking for input on what suspension would be recommended. Also, I was thinking of ordering the Eduard PE set, as this seems to be the only one that I can find.

This was my inspiration for this project:

http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/models/vehicles/tam35110.htm

The guy mentions a Resin set from Yanks, which I understand is now defunct, kaput, out of business. Any ideas where I could find this set of parts somewhere on someones dusty shelves? Mainly I was looking at the fron hull plate. Apparently this is incorrect and needs replacing. I can scratchbuild this, but as of yet do not know what the inaccuracies are. Any good references / books / web articles that would explain what mods need to be made? I was also looking at the Verlinden detail set, looks pretty good, any ideas there?

Regardless, I really want this to be a good build and incorporate the things I have learned in the Sherman GB and will learn in the M10, M8 Greyhound and the M26 Pershing I am doing for the Korean GB. It seems like it is a somewhat rare subject and will make a nice addition to my boys display case.

Thanks for your input in advance.

Thanks,

Ted

2

Thanks Rob, Do you have any recommendations for reference materials?

Or perhaps some pics somewhere of your build?

Thanks for the advice.

Ted

3

No photos of my own kit, but here is one that will help you: http://www.militarymodelling.com/features/feature5/

And some reference sites:
http://www.jagdtiger.de/index2.htm?http://www.jagdtiger.de/USTanks/M8-01.htm
http://www.panzer-modell.de/specials/leserbilder/m8hmc/m8hmc.htm
http://www.wwiivehicles.com/usa/self_propelled_guns/m8_howitzer_motor_carriage.html

4

Rob,

Can’t thank you enough. That first link is super. Zaloga is a master.

I hate to keep bugging you, but is the Squadron Book on light tanks useful on this subject?

Thanks again,

Ted

5

Rob, on a slightly related tangent, have you ever seen pics of any M5A1s with the later T36E6 tracks? All I seem to come across are the T16s. Originally I was thinking if Ted was going to use the T36s on his M8, he could get the T16s and we could trade (I have the AFV club T36s- they were sent to me by mistake and I kept them because PMMS’s review said there were “Plenty of references” for M5’s with steel cleats. I have yet to find any). That idea went out the window when I found that the M8 apparently only had the T16s during wartime service.

6

That is a heck of a project you have for yourself! Good luck!

7

Scorn, it should be fun though.

Thanks again Rob.

Ted