My Dad served on a 240mm in Europe. There is almost every example of every Soviet, German, and British Artillery piece used during the War except the US Army 240mm Howitzer. You can buy a 1/35th tracked transporter for a 240, but no 240. Maybe it’s time that people realize that the 8" and the ‘Long Tom’ weren’t the only big guns we had.
Nice to point out this fact. I would absolutely love one in plastic or resin – doesn’t matter which. But model companies are businesses. It’s not as if guys are sitting around saying: “Hmmmm – this will be immensely profitable! Let’s ignore it and let someone else do it!”
For the injection companies, if money is to be had, it will get done. Until that is determined, why would you want some model company to take a bath in profits?
As for its non-existence in the resin media: there are only a handful of qualified pattern makers that I know of who could do this justice. Why haven’t they? Probably too big a project for not enough return. Sound like a familiar refrain?
A man after my heart…The M1 240mm Howitzer and the M1 8 inch gun. I would love to see it in 1/35.
To some extent I agree with Roy…but it is also not sexy. What I mean is the big German guns will draw much more sales than a big US gun. And let us not forget that artillery sells less than a tank [:'(]
I would think this kit would have some appeal just by its size but then again I have a jaded view of models [:O]
There are hundreds of very interesting subject which are ignored by the manufacturers. They can release another Tiger of Sherman and make plenty of $$$$$.
Hopefully a good resin company make one like the 1/72 currently out.
For now all we can do is
Rounds Complete!!
Even the huge German guns didn’t turn out to be big sellers. A few were bought, even less built. Most guys saw them at shows and realized once built, there was no place in the house to display it.
I expect in a dozen or so years, many of the collectors will be hot after the few remaining large artillery pieces.
So the question arises, why would American Modelers prefer German equipment to build rather than the equipment used by those who fought and died for our country. After all two Railway German Guns were produced along with the engines and the armored cars to support them. But U.S. Guns would be too costly to build and would not be in demand.
… I would ask you why you think that Americans make the bulk of model purchasers? The hobby is international and the largest market is in Japan. Worldwide (and in the US, it seems), German WW2 subject matter has been and remains the most popular in general. The reasons are legion.
That being said, if you have some inside knowledge that the model companies are missing, I’m sure they would love to talk to you. But then, you’d need to fly to Japan, Taiwan,China or the Ukraine to have a sit down.
I’m being faceteous of course. I’m just glad that non-German subjects have gotten hot over last 3-4 years. Look at the recent British AFV surge. Tasca has buoyed the Shermans. Bronco and AFV Club are attacking the M24 and many artillery pieces. For lovers of bigger US artillery, we better hope that these newer releases sell in order to give the company decision makers the luxury to invest in a big subject like a 240
Roy - I’m trying to make the companies happy!!! LOL There has been a surge lately. Look even at the re-release of the M65 Atomic Annie…there was a large demand even for this old classic.
Hopefully…240mm…I keep watching!!
Rounds Complete!!
Oh trust me – I’m trying to do my share as well. On my AMPS shopping list are the 105 and the 155. I never got the pack howitzer either – may have to keep an eye out for that one.
The only big American guns that made it to plastic that I am aware of are the AFV club 155mm and the 8 inch howitzer on the same carrage. I could be wrong as I am just getting back into the hobby after a forced break of several years.
Didn’t Verlindin have a resin kit of the 240 mm back in the '90’s??? I don’t know how accurate it was, but I seem to remember that kit being available.
BTW, I too am extremely happy about the current availability of Allied armor. As always, we all have our pet “wish the major companies would come out with this” project.
As far as the Verlinden kit, nope. To my knowledge, the only version of the M1 240mm howitzer is a 1/72 scale resin kit.
Rounds Complete!!
Thanks. I couldn’t remember clearly.
When I did my original post, I was talking 1/35 scale products. The 155 has been released in plastic by Hasegawa in 1/72 and the old Renwal kit in I think 1/40??