Preview: I love Kit's two new models for February...

The M55 & the mighty Patton are the subjects from I Love Kit for February release. We look at the art, colours, decals & built test shots in our preview...

Preview: I love Kit's two new models for February...

M55 203mm Self-Propelled Howitzer

by I Love Kit

Model no #63548

1/35th scale

Price: $73 USD from Hobbylink Japan

The M55 Self-Propelled Howitzer was an American development emerging out of the 1950s. The vehicle was designed around commonality of automotive parts with the existing M46 and M47 Patton series of medium combat tanks stocking US Cold War inventories at the time. The M55 was similar in scope and function to the preceding M53 self-propelled assault gun armed with a 155mm main gun barrel. However, the M55 utilized a much larger 203.2mm M47 howitzer instead which limited total ammunition carried due to the heftier shells. 

Markings included in this kit

Decals included in this kit

Production of M55s was handled by the Pacific Car & Foundry Company throughout the 1950s. Many US Army M53 systems were then upgraded to the M55 standard. Some M55s were utilized operational during the American involvement in the Vietnam War (1955-1975) though they were eventually removed from inventory within time.

Model Length:237.6mm / Width: 105.5mm 

Total of 9 sprues , lower hull and turret

The kit consists of over 850 parts

- Multi-directional slide moulded lower hull and turret

-Photo-etched parts included

The kit made up by the I love Kit staff builders...

M48 MBT

by I Love Kit

Model no #63530

1/35th scale

Price: $80 USD from Hobbylink Japan

The M48 is a post-World War II first-generation main table tank developed in the United States, and nicknamed "Patton." The M48 was the first production model in the series, and was formalized as the "90mm gun tank M48" in May 1953. Its armaments included a 48-caliber 90mm tank gun, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and a 12.7mm heavy machine gun in the commander's hatch on top of the turret. 

Markings included in this kit

Decals included in this kit

This model kit from I Love Kit features a slide-molded hull; the crawler tracks are connected and assemble, and it comes with photo-etched parts.

Model Length:248.3mm / Width: 103.7mm  

Total of 18 sprues , upper hull and lower hull

The kit consists of over 540 parts

- Multi-directional slide moulded lower hull & upper hull

-  162 individual tracks links

Photo-etched parts included

The test kit put together by I love kit's model makers

You can find out more about I Love Kit models on their Website