| This
1/72-scale model kit represents a 76-mm Infantry Gun Model 1927 manufactured
and used by the Soviet Army from 1927 throughout the Second World
War. This gun is characterized by the gun shield, the short barrel,
a box trail (with limited traverse) and large rubber tired wheels
for motorized towing. Hundreds of these were captured and used by
the Axis armies, designated the 7.62-cm Infanteriekanonehaubitze 290(r)
by the Germans.
The infantry
gun is typically a low velocity gun of about 75-mm (3-inch) caliber
and is part of the field artillery, i.e. artillery used for immediate
fire support within a division so it would serve near the front lines.
-
Examining the box art we see a simple but accurate painting of the
gun in use near a forest edge. The wheels are fairly large in relation
to the gun and in comparison with British, US and German infantry
guns of this caliber.
- The
gun is being served by two crew members, and while I am sure this
happened during combat, the normal crew would be more like five
or six. A German crew is an option.
- The
weapon and uniforms in this painting are a light forest green or
pea-green, but I have read that the color was more likely to be
khaki or olive.
- At
the upper right corner it states “No glue required.”
The
Parts
- There
are 24 dark green color, injection-molded, styrene plastic parts
on two sprues. There are 13 parts to the gun, eight parts for two
crew figures, a base, and a flag. The kit is designed for wargaming
and comes with a “unit card” for a game called Art
Of Tactic.
-
The above sprue contains the 13 parts for the M1927 field gun. Molding
quality and detail appear very good. The gun muzzle will need to
be drilled out. Each part is numbered.
- At
upper left is the gun’s box carriage, upper right is the gun
shield, at center right is the gun sight (which is often not included
in artillery models) and the delicate elevation handwheel. There
is only one handwheel; no second, traverse handwheel (?).
This
sprue contains the crew figures, the base and a flag for use when
gaming. Fidelity of each 4-part figure is very nice. A display modeler
can leave off the flag.-
The exploded-view type assembly instructions are very good. Make
note that even though the kit has two sprues, all the parts are
labeled as from sprue-A.
- From
the placement it appears that we are given a loader figure and an
ammunition supply figure. For me I will likely place the loader
to the left side of the gun behind the gunsight and handwheel so
as to represent a gunner. This conversion will likely involve switching
the arms between the two figures.
Reference:
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