Banderas 1/72 Russian 122mm Howitzer m/10

During the years following the defeat in the Russo-Japanese War, and in face of impending conflict in Europe, the Russian Army underwent big modernizations. Among other things, the artillery was upgraded. The Russians designed 122mm Howitzer m/04 was known to be deficient, and the government went abroad, and bought artillery from both France and - ironically enough - Germany. 

The French gun was manufactured by the firm of Schneider. It was originally of 120mm calibre, but it was bored up to take the special Russian calibre of 122mm, and renamed the m/10. The m/10 had almost exactly the same weight and performance as the German howitzer: the weight of the m/10 was 1,32 tons and it's maximum range was some 7.6km. For more info on this gun, click here!

Bandera Minatures makes a model kit of the 122mm m/10. It is made in White Metal, and, well, rather crude. (The contents of the kit can be viewed below.) The casting is adequate. There are few details to be found anywhere, except on the front of the shield. 

The Bad News is that the back is completely blank. However, I think it is unfair to gripe too much about this kit, as it is quite obviuosly aimed at the Wargaming fraternity, and therefore more a simplified sketch than a scale model proper. The good news is that what you get is accurate in shape and size, and can surely be used as a basis for further detailing, and such work is always fun.

But be warned: there is quite a lot of it ahead. As I see it, the following things ought to be done:

• 1. Hubs to the Wheels
• 2. Detailing to the front and especially to the back of the Shield - well, perhaps a new Shield all together
• 3. Trailing spike added to the trail
• 4. Lifting handles added to the trail
• 5. Seats for the Aimer and Gunner
• 6. New Breech block, this time with the opening to the right! (Tough on the Aimer otherwise!)
• 7. A Dial sight added plus an elevation drum - all to the left of the Breech, of course
• 8. New Elevation & Side adjustment Wheels
• 9. Detailing on the Gun Cradle
• 10. Hubs where the Gun tube is attched to the Trail
• 11. General cleaning up, and filling of irregularities