Land Craft 13 Kings of Battle US Self-Propelled Howitzers, 1981-2022

Artillery is known as the 'king of battle' and the US developed self-propelled howitzers after 1945, based on the M24 Chaffee, M41 Walker Bulldog, and Sherman chassis. The M107, M109, and M110 self-propelled howitzers were introduced in the mid-1960s and proved their effectiveness during the Vietnam War. Despite the emergence of rocket artillery, the self-propelled howitzer will remain one of the principal weapons systems of the US military in the decades to come. Modellers can find a variety of kits and accessories available in all the popular scales, and a modelling gallery and colour profiles provide information and inspiration.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 64 pages
Publication date: 20 October 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Artillery, often referred to as the "king of battle," holds a significant place in warfare due to its immense destructive power and versatility. During World War II, the United States made effective use of self-propelled howitzers, including those based on the chassis of the M4 Sherman tank. Post-1945, the US continued to develop both light and medium self-propelled howitzers, such as the M24 Chaffee, M41 Walker Bulldog, and Sherman chassis. The initial designs encountered numerous challenges, resulting in self-propelled artillery playing a limited role in the Korean War. However, by the mid-1960s, the M107 175mm, M109 155mm, and M110 203mm self-propelled howitzers had entered service and demonstrated their effectiveness during the Vietnam War.

The M107, while relatively short-lived in US service, played a crucial role with the Israel Defense Forces. The M109 served with the US Army and numerous NATO armies, seeing action in the Middle East, Balkans, liberation of Kuwait, and invasion of Iraq. With a service lifespan of over sixty years, the M109 remains the current self-propelled howitzer of the US Army, in its updated version, the M109A7.

The larger M110 203mm self-propelled howitzer also saw widespread service before being retired in the early 1990s. Despite the emergence of rocket artillery, such as the Multiple Launch Rocket System, self-propelled howitzers are expected to remain one of the primary weapons systems of the US military in the foreseeable future.

These self-propelled howitzers have been highly sought after by modellers, and numerous kits and accessories are available from major manufacturers in various scales. This book not only provides detailed technical development and operational history of these guns but also offers a comprehensive account of the wide range of modelling kits and accessories available in popular scales. Whether you are a seasoned modeller or a newcomer to the hobby, this book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring the world of self-propelled artillery.

Weight: 348g
Dimension: 209 x 297 x 7 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399040518