Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG4702 M7 HMC (Priest) “URANUS” 2nd French Tank Division, July 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.

General Leclerc’s 2nd French Tank Division left Southampton England bound for Normandy on July 29, 1944. Among their accomplishments in 1944 was the liberation of Paris in August, the tank battles in Lorraine and defeated the German 112th Panzer brigade at Dompaire on September 13, 1944. Next they quickly moved through the Saverne gap and took part in the liberation of Strasbourg in November. General Leclerc’s 2nd Division ended WWII in the Nazi town of Berchtesgaden near Hitler’s mountain resort, the Berghof.

Specifications for the M7 HMC (Howitzer Motor Carriage) 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