Model Forum / General / Models / January 2008

Kit Review: Hobby Boss 1/35 scale Kit No. 82408; M4 High Speed Tractor
(155mm/8-in/240mm); 333 parts (269 in grey styrene, 44 etched brass,
16 clear styrene, 2 black vinyl track runs, 1 length of nylon string,
1 section of brass chain); price US$36.99

Advantages: FINALLY a decent kit of this popular tractor; nicely done
details and accurate suspension

Disadvantages: some details simplified (see text)

Rating: Highly Recommended

Recommendation: for all US and Artillery fans using tracked prime
movers

    Back in 1957, when I was nine the only good way to make money was off
my report card, as I had a wonderful grandmother who believed that
"bribery works wonders." As such, other than birthdays, Christmas, and
a stray generous uncle or two it was the only time I could get enough
money together to buy "expensive" model kits. In the fall of 1957, for
my first good report card, I made enough to afford a good spree and
went to my local model shop. The first thing I saw there for the
princely sum of $1.98 and no tax was the brand new Revell Kit No.
H-532, the "Long Tom" artillery piece set. For a 9-year-old, this came
with a "tank," a big gun, a wheeled thing, and five little men - how
cool is that?!

    I loved that model and really had a good time with it, but eventually
it bought the farm as did many others (a problem which was exacerbated
the year I got a Daisy Model 111 BB gun.) But I never forgot it and
when I grew up wanted to do one in 1/35 scale.

    Alas, there were two major problems: number one was no 1/35 scale
155mm gun kits, and only one really crummy model of the M4 18-ton High
Speed Tractor (the "tank" of my youth) from Nitto of Japan. This was
merely a pantographed version of the old Revell/Adams kit with a motor
added and rubber band tracks. Eventually, when AFV Club came out with
their great kit of the M2 (AKA M59 in its postwar MAP version) I tried
to tackle converting that kit to an accurate M4 HST. I gave up as it
would have to be totally scratchbuilt. I also passed on the resin one
which came out about three years later as it was too much for my
budget.

    Now, after two years of anticipation and waiting, Hobby Boss of China
has released the second of two kits of the HST. The original vehicles
were called the 18-ton High Speed Tractor M4 (90mm) and the 18-ton
High Speed Tractor M4 (155mm and 240mm). That is straight out of the
handbook, TM 9-785 dated April 1952, but apparently the WWII ones were
called either Type A or Type B. The first Hobby Boss kit was of the
Type A variant, with a "box" on the back that was optimized for
ammunition stowage for the 3" and 90mm AA guns. The Type B variant, of
which this is the kit, was designed to carry heavy artillery
ammunition and could carry either 155mm, 8 inch (203mm) or 240mm
ammunition in its "box."

    The latter one is the more interesting one of the two, as it has an
open compartment at the rear which has an ammunition handling crane
and interchangeable plates for use with any of three types of
ammunition - 155mm gun, 8 inch howitzer, or 240mm howitzer. These
require racks that snap into the floor of the compartment and hold-
down plates which lock into place to keep the ammunition stored
vertically. The racks all nested to store on the floor of the
compartment when not in use and to ensure the vehicles would be
interchangeable as needed. Stowage was not great, as normally the
stowage was for no more than 30 155mm rounds, 20 8 inch rounds, and 12
240mm rounds (the vehicle also had to carry their separate propellant
canisters as well as the ammunition.) Handling was via a manual winch
and erectable crane that used the nose plugs of the projectiles as
shipped for pickup (a ring was normal).

    Hobby Boss' models cover both vehicles, but as this one is the more
involved - and the only one with artillery pieces available for it -
it has been the one more in demand. The model provides a nice
selection of features and a complete engine bay, as well as the basic
racks for the rear and two 155mm rounds with transfer plugs in place.

    The lower hull is a nice replication of the original, and using
etched brass gives the modeler the options to have two vents at the
front of the hull either open or closed. The idler wheel consists of
three parts (center and two rims) to capture the welded structure
accurately. (Note that while the suspension LOOKS like that of the
American M3/M5 light tanks, it is more closely related to that of the
M4 medium and has most of its parts interchangeable with them.) The
bogies are nicely done with good wide wheels and a heavy VVSS spring
assembly.

    The tracks are somewhat thin versions of the T48 Sherman track
(rubber chevron) but most M4 HST 155mm prime movers tended to use the
T49 three-bar cleat type for extra traction. I suggest checking on
them and if doing a WWII version replacing the kit's tracks with
suitable single-link ones from RHPS, Model Kasten, or Fruil.

    The rear section of the hull is provided with a wealth of interior
details, such as the winch, the big Waukesha gasoline engine, and all
of the engine systems. Since the bay is painted white and the vehicle
has large side grilles, this helps show them off once completed. The
side grilles are someone simplified to get them to turn out as etched
brass (the real ones have at least two layers from photographic
evidence) but this should not look too bad on the finished model.

    The model also gives the modeler the option to either leave it open
or "button it up" with a full set of canvas doors and panels. They
also provide masks for painting so the windows may be installed prior
to finishing, a nice touch.

    The hardest steps in the model's construction will be the forming of
the headlight (front) and floodlight (rear) lens guards from etched
brass, as the originals are domed. I suggest seeking out something
about the size of a pencil eraser and using it to shape the guards
before installation.

    The model comes with only one finishing option: A Battery, 987th
Field Artillery, 1st Army. This was a non-divisional 155mm gun unit
that fought in the ETO from July 1944 to V-E Day, but it is listed as
an SP 155mm unit (e.g. M12) and not a 155mm tracked drayage unit,
which is what the M4 units were. I suggest checking more thoroughly
into WWII order of battle or good photographs for correct markings.

    Overall, this is a great kit and answers the mail. The only question
I have is - why didn't AFV Club do one when they did their 155mm?

Cookie Sewell