Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG4703 M7 HMC Priest 11th Regiment Royal Horse Artillery 1st Armored Division El-Alamein, 1942

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.

The British 1st Armoured Division was originally formed in October 1937. It took part in the 1940 ill-fated British Expeditionary Force sent to France and had to be evacuated. The 1st AD left England for Egypt arriving on November 13, 1941. One of the 1st AD artillery units was the 11th Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery that served from August 24, 1942 until September 26 1944. The 11th Regiment RHA was equipped with M7 Priest SP 105mm Howitzer and played a key role in stopping the German advance across North Africa at El- Alamein in 1942.

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