SHQ's 1/72 7.5cm Gebirgskanone M.15
Perhaps the best mountain guns used by any country during WW1 was the Austro-Hungarian 7.5cm Gebirgskanone M.15 (made by Skoda). The Austro-Hungarian Army was quite pleased with the M15.
The soundness of the design is proved by the fact, that it was kept in production well into the 1930-ies, equipping not only the Armies of Austria and Hungary - of course - but also those of Czechoslovakia and Italy, and other countries as well. It was used in the early years of WW2 as well, and even after WW2 by the Italian Army. The German Army also aquired the M15 during WW1, using it as a Infantry Gun in close support.
For more info on this gun, including photos of surviving museum pieces, click here.
The British firm of SHQ market a 1/72 scale kit of this gun. It is cast in white metal, almost flawless, save for some moulding flash, easily cleaned off. It is, like all other SHQ products aimed at the wargaming market, but they are really in the top in that segment. Many wargaming models are really bad, but SHQ in general makes good stuff. This is actually fine kit, that will enable you to make a nice replica of this gun.
Note however, that like many other gun kits, this one also lack some crucial parts, like elevating and traverse wheels, and the dial sight (my pet peeve). But also note that it comes with the shafts for the handwheels, which I guess is better than nothing. It has more detail than the Ostmodels kit, for instance it sports both seats, plus two extras: a rammer and a ammo box. My kit only had one of the two braces for the shield, but that was probably just a fluke... It also comes with a small plan.
I have no measurements to support it, but the shield might be a little bit too big. Compared to the Ostmodels kit, this one, as you can see, comes with correct spoked wheels.
I recommend this kit. There is some detail work to be done, but that can be said about most smallscale Arty kits out there on the market today! And this one is the best 7.5cm Skoda out there. And as the shape of barrel, shield and carriage is correct, the basis is quite sound for superdetailing. Go for it!
