Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG4710 M7 Priest HMC Unknown Artillery unit, IDF, Sinai Fronts 1967

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.

In the spring of 1967 with the build up of Egyptian, Jordanian and Syrian troops and machinery everyone knew war was coming to Israel. On June 5th 1967 Israel launched a pre-emptive strike essentially destroying the air forces and air fields of the opposition. Israeli forces moved toward heavily fortified Egyptian forces and utterly destroyed the opponent. During the 6-Day War the IDF met the Syrian and Jordanian forces and defeated them as well. Part of the IDF equipment was the M7 Priest that was purchased in early 1960’s

Specifications for the M7 HMC (Howitzer Motor Carriage)

Type - Armored Artillery Crew - 7 Performance 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