US M53 155mm Self-propelled Howitzer, 1950s-60s.

In the late 1940s the US military tendered for a new postwar atomic era 155mm self-propelled gun capable of operating independently in areas contaminated by nuclear fallout for brief periods of time. The Sherman-derived M40 155mm large-calibre artillery piece was mounted on a reversed and much-modified M46/M47 Patton tank chassis. The sprocket wheel was at the front and idler wheel at the rear lowered to ground level. Designated T97 and built by Pacific Car & Foundry, an 8in (203mm) variant was also specified, designated T108. The T97/T108 were renamed M53/M55 respectively. A relatively large enclosed turret housing the crew of six was located at the rear with the driver's forward-facing gyroscopically-stabilised seat mounted front-left of the turret. At the rear a recoil spade helped transmit the massive kickback to the ground. M53 production was from 1952 until 1955. After 1956 most M53s were converted to M55 with the larger M47 howitzer. A total of 550 M53s and M55s were built. They were incredibly powerful vehicles and saw service in Vietnam. M53/55s were replaced by open-top M107/M109/M110 types.

9 sprues, lower hull & turret. L: 266.2mm, W: 105.5mm, Total parts 850+.

1:35 scale plastic model kit from I Love Kit, requires paint and glue.