AER's 1/72 Putilov 76.2mm m/02 Russian Field Gun
by Stephen Brezinski & Peter Kempf

On the Real Thing
by Peter Kempf

The Putilov 76.2mm m/02 Field Gun is an important gun, as it made up the mainstay of the Russian Imperial Army's artillery during the Great War, and was then used by all sides in the Civil War, and then by the Soviet Army well into WW2.

The design itself was pretty standard, but it had quite a long barrel (2.286 meters). It had a screw breech, and used two types of shells: HE and Shrapnel. The range of the 76.2mm Putilov was actually quite superior to any other field gun used by the other powers in WW1: it was capable of throwing a special grenade (7.45 kilo heavy) some 9.6 kilometers, while usual shrapnel shells could reach some 7.5 kilometers. (It was also accurate: the spread of the shots was small.) However, that range was rarely attained, as it could only be elevated some 16 degrees. Also, the gun itself was placed noticably low between the wheels. For sure, this gave the gun a low profle - the 4mm thick shield was also foldable - but it also made it harder to deploy than other Field Guns, as intervening terrain more easily masked its shot. In practical terms this - compared to the low degree of elevation - meant that it could rarely be used at ranges over 4 kilometers IF there were elevated terrain in the line of sight. 

The 76.2mm Putilov was primarily employed in the Artillery Brigades of the Russian Infantry Divisions, of which there was one attached to each Division. Every Artillery Brigade consisted of six batteries of eight guns, which means a total of 48 guns per division. The Independent Infantry Brigades each ha a Artillery Batallion attached, each mustering a total of 24 guns.   

For more info on this gun, including plans and detail shots of a surviving piece, click here!
 

Click on the pictures for enlarged versions! 

The 76.2-mm M1902 field gun was the standard light field artillery gun of the Great War and being a modern design at the time was comparable in performance with French M1897 and German FK 96 n.A. The gun in this kit is the original version with the 30-caliber long (L30) barrel. In the 1930's the gun was modernized with an longer L40 barrel and later pneumatic tires. It should not be difficult to splice on a longer gun barrel made from platisc or aluminum tube to make the L40 version. The L30 gun was also in service with the Finnish and Polish armies from 1918 through the 1940's.

The Model 1924 towing tractor included with the kit is a Soviet Pulitov made Ford Co. tractor of the 1920's for both farm and military use.

This all resin model is decently cast but not great and simplified. Clean-up of the parts will not be difficult with a sharp knife and sanding stick. The wood spoke wheels are done well. There are no elevation & traverse handwheels nor dial site, the gun barrel is molded onto the box trail with no trunnion and the screw breach is too simple. The gun and tractor will make a great wargaming piece and with a little detailing can build into a good display model. AER will also soon be releasing an anti-aircraft version of this gun mounted on a revolving stand.

Both Jadar and Hobbyterra stock AER, but none of them have this kit on their list. The only one that do that right now is Roll Models in the US.
 

Verdict
by Peter Kempf

This is a good kit. It lacks a bit in detail, that's for sure, but the same can be said for almost ALL Artillery kits on the market. But if you are prepared to do this detailing work then this is the kit for you!