155mm – Vietnam Miniatures Game

Posted on December 3, 2017April 16, 2018 by

M114 155mm Firebase Assembly Guide

The M114A1 155mm Howitzer Crew
Description of Components
a. 2x Standing figures bending over.
b. 2x Standing figures with hands on hips.
c. 2x Loader figures holding shell.
d. 2x Standing figures covering ears.
e. 2x Standing figures with arm raised.

Assembling The M114A1 155mm Howitzer Crew
Simply arrange one of each figure type around each of the M114A1 155mm howitzer to taste. The M114A1 155mm howitzer and crew a modelled on the large six-hole bases provided in the box set.

Description of Components

a. 4x Gun trail wheels.
b. 2x Gun shields / carriages.
c. 2x Gun carriage stabilisers.

d. 2x Gun barrels.
e. 2x Gun trail legs.
f. 2x Gun trail spades.

The Bases
Description of Components
3x Large six-hole bases.

Assembling The M114A1 155mm Howitzer

Step 1. Begin assembly of the M114A1 155mm howitzer by attaching the spades to the end of the gun trail legs.		Below: Both spades attached to the gun trail legs.	Step 2. Next, attach the gun carriage wheels to the sides of the gun shield / carriage.

Below: Both gun carriage wheels successfully attached to the gun shield / carriage.	Step 3. Next, its time to attach the gun trail legs. The back of the gun shield has been keyed to accept the gun trail legs.	Below: Attaching the gun trail leg to the back of the gun shield.

Below: Both gun trail legs successfully attached to the back of the gun shield.	Step 4. Next, attach the gun carriage stabiliser to the underside of the gun shield.

Below: The attached gun carriage stabiliser on the underside of the gun shield.		Step 5. Finally, attach the gun barrel to the gun carriage.

Below: The gun barrel attaches to the gun carriage just behind the recuperator cylinder.		Below: With the gun barrel in place the M114A1 155mm howitzer is ready to be painted.

Posted on December 3, 2017July 19, 2023 by christo

M114 155mm Firebase (VUSBX10) Spotlight

Includes one Gun section with three M114A1 155mm howitzers with crew & three Large six-hole bases.

Development of the 155mm howitzer M1 began during the late 1930s, when the United States Army determined it needed a new medium field artillery piece to replace the World War One vintage howitzer M1917.

Check out the 155mm Field Artillery Battery in the online store here…

The 155mm used separate loading ammunition comprised of four components: a projectile, a separate bagged propellant charge, a fuse and a primer. The propelling charge contained individual bags of powder, which could be reduced depending on the range of the target. The projectiles weighed 95lb each with the fuses placed in the base of the projectile after a ring used for shipping was removed. The primers were placed in the breech of the gun for firing. The 155mm howitzer typically fired 80% or more HE (high explosive) shells, however, it could also fire smoke or white phosphorus shells.

In 1962 the designation system for artillery changed and the 155mm howitzer became known as the M114A1 155mm howitzer. The change in designation didn’t detract from its performance in any way during the course of the conflict in Vietnam.

Gun designed by Evan Allen & Seth Nash
Crew designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Mark Hazell

The M114A1 155mm Howitzers

The M114A1 155mm Howitzer in Flames Of War Vietnam

Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.

Posted on December 3, 2017April 17, 2018 by

M109 (155mm) and M108 (105mm) Assembly

Step 1. Begin assembly of the M109 (155mm) by attaching the tracks.
Tip: Ensure that the drive sprocket is towards the rear of the vehicle.	Below: The left-hand side track attached to the hull.	Below: The right-hand side track attached to the hull.

Tip: When referring to left or right-hand side in regards to a Flames Of War miniature, the orientation is determined as if looking at the vehicle from the rear.

Step 2. Next, attach the recoil spades to the back of the resin hull of the M109 (155mm).		Below: The left-hand side recoil spade in place.	Below: Both recoil spades correctly attached to the rear of the M109.

Below: Tim has created a magnet well in the turret and the guns to make for an easy barrel swap.		Below: The magnet wells in the back of the gun barrels.

Below: The magnets attached to the gun barrels.	Below: The 155mm gun barrel attached to the turret.	Below: The 105mm gun barrel attached to the turret.

Below: An optional step is to drill out the muzzle brake of the 155mm gun.	Tip: A 2mm drill bit is perfect for drilling out the muzzle brake of the 155mm gun barrel.	Below: Carefully drill through the first baffle of the muzzle brake.

Below: Drill through the second baffle of the muzzle brake.	Below: The completed drilled out muzzle brake of the 155mm.	Step 3. Next, attach the commander’s hatch to the top of the turret.

Step 4. Attach the .50 cal AA MG to the mounting arm on the commander’s hatch.		Below: With the .50 cal AA MG in place, the M109 (155mm) is ready for painting.

Adding A Tank Commander
Step 1. Replace the close hatch with the open commander’s hatch.	Step 2. Attach a tank commander figure.	Step 3. Attach the .50 cal AA MG.	Below: The fully-assembled M109 (155mm) complete with tank commander.

Posted on December 3, 2017July 19, 2023 by christo

M109 (155mm) Spotlight (VUS150)

Includes one M109 (155mm) Self-propelled gun with M108 (105mm) option, four Vehicle commander figures

The M108 (105mm) and M109 (155mm) are the latest self-propelled artillery pieces in the US Army. Initially, the lighter M108 was preferred for its ability to carry more ammunition and the relative ease of resupply. Later they were phased out in favour of the more effective M109, as the supply problems were reduced when operating from fire support bases.

Check out the M109 (155mm) in the online store here…

Deployed in static firebases they provided long-range fire support for troops put in the field as well as much-needed defensive firepower when PAVN troops came out of the jungle.