Tamiya 35351 - 1:35 U.S. Self-Propelled 155mm Gun M40

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the U.S. M40 155 mm self-propelled gun

The M40 was a heavy self-propelled gun that mounted the 155 mm M2 Long Tom on a lengthened M4A3 Sherman chassis with HVSS suspension. It entered service in the closing stages of the Second World War and was also used during the Korean War, giving American artillery long range combined with mobility.

Tamiya 35351 is based on new tooling from 2016. The kit reproduces the open fighting compartment with the gun breech, elevating gear, crew seats and the large rear spade lowered before firing, together with the wide T80 tracks and the distinctive HVSS bogies. The generous crew of eight figures makes it possible to show the gun in action and to build an elaborate diorama around it.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the hull, the 155 mm gun and the chassis
• T80 vinyl band tracks (HVSS suspension)
• Photo-etched parts (engine grilles)
• Metal equilibrator tubes
• 8 gun crew figures
• Waterslide decal sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: 35351
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model length: approx. 258 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (photo-etched parts, detailed fighting compartment)

Please note: the kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Assembly:

Despite its impressive size the model is an enjoyable build — the parts fit very well and the band tracks speed up the running gear. The photo-etched engine grilles and the delicate metal equilibrator tubes call for a little more care; precision tweezers and cyanoacrylate glue are useful here. It is worth painting and washing the open fighting compartment before the structure is finally closed up.

A US olive drab finish is recommended (e.g. Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab). Subtle highlights, a wash to bring out rivets and weld seams, and pigments for dust on the spade and tracks all work well. The crew figures look best when posed working the gun. For those seeking extra sharpness, the Tamiya 12670 metal gun barrel with brass shells is available separately — it is an optional accessory sold on its own and is not part of this kit.

Tools required:

• Sprue cutters
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Cyanoacrylate glue for photo-etched and metal parts
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Wash to bring out detail
• Optional: pigments for dust effects

About the vehicle – 155 mm Gun Motor Carriage M40:

The need to move heavy artillery behind fast-advancing armoured formations led to a family of American self-propelled guns based on the Sherman chassis. The M40 was the heaviest of them: a lengthened M4A3 hull with modern HVSS suspension carrying the 155 mm M2 gun, known as the Long Tom.

The gun was served by a crew of eight, and before firing a massive rear spade was lowered to transfer the recoil into the ground. With its long range and accuracy, the M40 was used against targets deep in enemy territory and to destroy fortifications. Vehicles of this type entered service late in the fighting in Europe and took part, among others, in the bombardment of Cologne.

After the war the M40 remained in US Army service and was used intensively during the Korean War, where it proved its worth in mountainous terrain. A number of vehicles also served with the British Army.

Original vehicle specifications (M40):

• Length: approx. 9.04 m
• Combat weight: approx. 36 t
• Crew: 8
• Main armament: 155 mm M2 Long Tom gun
• Chassis: lengthened M4A3 Sherman with HVSS suspension
• Tracks: wide T80 type
• Equipment: rear spade transferring recoil into the ground
• Service: late Second World War and the Korean War

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The company began in the timber trade and wooden products, releasing its first plastic model kit in 1960. Two years later came its first 1:35 scale tank — a scale that, thanks to Tamiya, became the worldwide standard for armour modelling. The brand is known for precise injection moulds, well-thought-out kit engineering and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this kit belongs, comprises hundreds of releases covering vehicles, guns and figures from around the world. Tamiya instructions are clear, richly illustrated and include paint codes from the company's own range. Alongside model kits, Tamiya offers a full range of accessories: paints, cements, putties, tools and brushes. Today the company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.