M102 – 105mm Towable Howitzer

About the M102 – 105mm Towable Howitzer:

The M102 105mm Towable Howitzer provided a lightweight, helicopter transportable support weapon for combat operations throughout Vietnam. Mounted on a welded aluminum carriage, the 105mm gun could fire a 37-pound projectile 11,500 meters, with a sustained fire rate of three rounds per minute. The M102 used a roller wheel attached to the tail of the gun to allow for easy rotation on a firing platform. The weight and ease of transportation of the M102 proved important during the Vietnam War.

Fire support bases, or FSBs, were one area in which the M102 proved valuable. These bases, located south of the Vietnam Demilitarized Zone, provided fire support as ground forces operated in search and destroy missions. Helicoptered in during construction, the M102 howitzer’s ability to be adjusted vertically and laterally quickly proved important as fire support coordinates were radioed in by either an Army or Marine Corps radio transmission operator. Working in conjunction with other fire support bases, they were able to provide interlocking fire, so even if one base would go down, other bases still offered support. The M102 was used all over Vietnam in its many roles. It became the lifeline for many ground units as they were pinned down by NVA or VC forces.

Specifications:

Crew: 8
Caliber: 105 mm (4.13 in)
Rate of fire: 10 rounds per minute maximum, 3 rounds per minute sustained
Range: 11,500 m (7.1 miles), 15,100 m (9.4 miles) with rocket-assisted projectile

Additional information about this Brickmania® custom building kit:

Perfect for a variety of MOCs, the M102 kit features all the expected play functions with a sturdy composition and accurate design.

Model Statistics:

Designed by Andrea Boninsegna
117 elements
Full-color printed building instructions
1/35th scale to match other Brickmania kits
Sophomore Skill Level (2-4 years building experience recommended)