Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG4701 M7 HMC British nick name “Priest” 6th Armored Div. 231st Armored Field Artillery Bttn. A Battery Western Front 1944

Authentic Detailing Pre-Painted by professionals Accurate paint colors Markings Tampo (pad) applied Fully Assembled Die-Cast Model True to Scale (1:72) Weathering and insignias Turret turns Main gun elevates Metal chassis, turret and main gun Realistic tracks Tracks replicate real track droop

The U.S. Army required a fully-tracked Howitzer Motor Carriage capable of keeping up with armored divisions. The lower chassis and suspension of the M3 Lee and later the M4 Sherman was selected to have a 105mm Howitzer placed on top with a crew area open to the elements. In 1942 the new SPG was delivered as the M7 HMC (Howitzer Motor Carriage). British forces referred to the M7 as the “Priest” because of the high rounded .50- caliber Machine Gun position resembled the pulpit of an Anglican priest.

On February 15, 1942 the 6th Armored Division was created at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The 6th arrived in England in late February 1944 and landed on Utah Beach on July 18, 1944. During the 9.5 months the Division spent in Europe they spent most of the time assigned to Patton’s Third Army and fought in 5 major campaigns. The 231st Armored Field Artillery Battalion was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with Silver Gilt Star, for Han-sur-Nied, France. On September 18, 1945 the 6th Armored Division was deactivated.

Specifications for the M7 HMC Type - Armored Artillery Crew - 7 Performances Engine - Continental R975 C1, 9 cylinder., Gasoline 400 hp Maximum Speed - 39 km/h Power/weight - 17.3 hp/t Range - 190 km Dimensions Length - 6.02 m Width - 2.87 m Height - 2.95 m Weight - 23000 kg Armor Maximum - 108 mm Minimum: 13 mm Suspension: Vertical volute spring suspension (VVSS)

Armament Main - 1 x 105 mm Howitzer M2A1 Secondary - 1 x .50cal (12.7 mm) M2HB MG

This model comes with HG0001 23 pieces of WW II U.S. Army accessories bedrolls , crates and more