ModelCollect Review

Pershing II missile model review

• • Modelcollect

• • • • USA M983 HEMTT Tractor with Pershing II Missile Erector Launcher 1:72 UA72077 (2016). The model includes the M983 HEMTT which was used only in the US but is missing the generator and crane.

      • U.S. Army M983 Hemtt tractor and Pershing II tactical missile 1:72 AS72110 (2018) This is a pre-built model with the M983 HEMTT and includes the generator and crane.

      • NATO M1001 MAN Tractor & Pershing II Missile Erector Launcher 1:72 UA72084 (2018). The model includes the M1001 MAN which was used only in West Germany and includes the generator and crane.

      • U.S. Army M1001 tractor and Pershing II tactical missile, 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, Wiley Barracks, Neu Ulm (2018). This is a pre-built model with the M1001 MAN.

• • • Tetra Model Works

• • • • ME-72007 is an upgrade kit for the Modelcollect Pershing II with HEMMT. It has better catwalks and work platform, the hydraulic pump cover, the pallet motor cover and parts for the HEMTT.

      • ME-72010 is an upgrade kit for the Modelcollect Pershing II with MAN. It has better catwalks and work platform, the hydraulic pump cover, the pallet motor cover and parts for the MAN.

Prime mover

• The M983 HEMMT was used only in the US by training units

• The M983 HEMMT is missing the Hiab 8001 crane, the 30 KW generator, power distribution box, workplatform and steps

• https://books.google.com/books?id=nVAYAAAAYAAJ

  • Details for 30 KW generator

  • https://www.scribd.com/doc/64061132/TM-9-1425-386-10-1 page 2-65

  • https://books.google.com/books?id=5_oXAAAAYAAJ

• The M1001 MAN was used by tactical units in West Germany

  • The M1001 MAN KAT1 had the Atlas Maschinen GmbH AK4300 M5 crane, the 30 KW generator and power distribution box

  • https://www.scribd.com/doc/64061132/TM-9-1425-386-10-1 page 2-20 and following

  • http://www.army-uk.info/equip_print.php?ID=184

  • http://www.hommeles.com/machinery/atlas-4300-m5/#lightbox[hommeles]/0/

  • The work platform and ladder for the generator are missing.

  • http://www.usarmygermany.com/units/FieldArtillery/P2%20Wiley%20Bks%201988.jpg

  • The fifth wheel has an odd bracket on it that needs to be removed. This is not part of the M1001.

Erector launcher

• • EL pallet cover missing; this would be stored under the front of the launcher during operation

  • www.scribd.com/doc/64061132/TM-9-1425-386-10-1 page 2-18

  • EL pallet motor cover missing; fixed with Tetra PE

  • Hydraulic pump is missing the cover; fixed with Tetra PE

  • http://svsm.org/gallery/pershingII/IMG_8845

  • Azimuth ring crank assembly is missing

• https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/12871472_993696050708008_8031942148997281235_n.jpg?oh=cb0a24bc3645298e3bf037519c4ded4e&oe=579010C9

  • https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5048/5318642716_69e07794d2_b.jpg

  • Marker lights on both sides missing; fixed with Tetra PE

  • http://svsm.org/gallery/pershingII/IMG_8853

  • Mud flaps missing behind the landing jacks and the rear tires; fixed with Tetra PE

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pershing_missile_displays#/media/File:Ft_Sill_P2.png

  • Launch cable on spool and the mounting bracket are missing; this photo shows the mount for the spool by the leveling jack

  • http://svsm.org/gallery/pershingII/IMG_8855

  • And this shows the spool

  • https://www.scribd.com/doc/64061132/TM-9-1425-386-10-1 page 2-67, item 7

  • But during operation, the cable would be laid out and the spool located on the curbside of the EL

  • https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Pershing_II_on_EL.jpg

  • Fire extinguishers with red cover missing.

  • http://svsm.org/gallery/pershingII/IMG_8844

  • http://svsm.org/gallery/pershingII/IMG_8893

  • The front leveling jack struts are side to side where they should angle rearward

  • http://svsm.org/gallery/pershingII/IMG_8855

  • The retaining segment that holds the missile to the cradle should be removable for launch; it would be stored under the front of the launcher in operation

  • When the missile is erected for launch, the booms drop to about 30

  • http://www.usarmygermany.com/units/FieldArtillery/P2%20Wiley%20Bks%201988.jpg

  • Kingpin is missing; this would go just forward of the front landing jacks

• http://data3.primeportal.net/artillery/david_lueck/pershing_ii_erector_launcher/images/pershing_ii_erector_launcher_062_of_102.jpg

  • In launch mode the front landing jacks are up and the three leveling jacks are down; the tires are off the ground

Missile

• • The umbilical cover on the G&C/A is missing; it would be OK to just add this closed as shown in this photo

  • http://svsm.org/gallery/pershing2/P1210934

  • Thrust reversal ports on the second stage are not detailed, three ports

  • http://svsm.org/gallery/pershingII/IMG_8847

  • http://svsm.org/gallery/pershingII/IMG_8898

  • Ordnance access covers on G&C/A not detailed; two ports, one on each side

  • http://svsm.org/gallery/pershingII/IMG_8895

  • The radar is rather pointy

  • http://svsm.org/gallery/pershingII/IMG_8836

  • Splice lines between the G&C/A and warhead and between the warhead and radar are not detailed

  • http://svsm.org/gallery/pershingII/IMG_8897

  • Tailplug cables are missing.

  • There is something odd about how the missile sits in the cradle. All the photos show a big gap between the guidance section adapter (the part of the missile behind the fins) and the air umbilical (the part on the launcher below it). These areas should mate. I'll figure it out when I build it.

Decals

• The bumper marks show ADA where it should be F

• DRAIN AIRTANK SAILE should be DRAIN AIRTANK DAILY

• Allow is misspelled

Paint and markings

Weathering: The Pershing systems went through and exacting maintenance cycle where all equipment was cleaned, tested and maintained.

Missile

• • The missile is flat forest green

  • The fairings under the RV air vanes are flat black

  • http://svsm.org/albums/pershing2/P1210934.jpg

  • The adapter area below the RV is covered with an ablative compound and is semi-gloss forest green

  • http://svsm.org/albums/pershing2/P1210934.jpg

  • The upper section of the radar is an off-white radar transparent ablative material

  • http://www.usarmygermany.com/units/FieldArtillery/P2%20Wiley%20Bks%201988.jpg

  • The fuze (very tip of the radar) is flat black

  • The white patch on the missile is talcum powder used to keep the cradle from sticking to the missile

  • http://www.usarmygermany.com/units/FieldArtillery/P2%20Wiley%20Bks%201988.jpg

  • The first stage aft attach ring is a darker flat green

  • http://svsm.org/gallery/pershingII/IMG_8865

  • US Army is stenciled down the missile in flat black

  • http://www.usarmygermany.com/units/FieldArtillery/P2%20Wiley%20Bks%201988.jpg

  • Lower part of the leveling jacks and landing jacks are stainless steel

  • http://svsm.org/gallery/pershingII/IMG_8855

  • Yellow and orange markings on the missile are for tracking during test firings and are not tactical

Launcher

• • The launcher is flat forest green

  • The inside of the pallet cradles are lined with a flat orange heat-proof silicone rubber

  • http://svsm.org/gallery/pershingII/IMG_8839

  • http://www.firesleeveandtape.com/images/bv04062.png

  • The boom cradle is lined with a black electrically conductive silicone rubber

  • There is flat orange heat-proof silicone rubber in several areas

  • http://svsm.org/gallery/pershingII/IMG_8859

  • http://svsm.org/gallery/pershingII/IMG_8863

  • https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5048/5318642716_69e07794d2_b.jpg

  • The air duct is orange heat-proof silicone rubber

  • http://pershingmissile.org/Gallery/Pics/thumbnail.aspx?ForceAspect=False&Width=500&Height=500&image=images%2FLawton+Launchers%2FGallery+2%2F100%5F1485%2EJPG

  • Mud flaps and tires are black

  • Fire extinguisher covers are flat red

  • Lower part of landing legs and leveling jacks and upper part of booms are silver

  • https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/Pershing_II_on_EL_2.jpg

Truck

• • The truck is woodland camouflage

  • https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10959531_10152683936124157_2276122976747856824_n.jpg?oh=c0989f978824bec6fd699ec1383ac4e2&oe=57355158

  • The markings would be on the rear bumper on the launcher and the front and rear bumpers on the truck; these indicate the unit and vehicle number

  • The truck bumper markings shown in this photo are 56CMD2F9 and C-111. This indicates 56th Field Artillery Command, 2nd Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment and C Battery, First Platoon, vehicle 11.

  • https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pershing2MAN.jpg

Photos

You can see full galleries of display missiles at

• Pershing II Erector Launcher Walk Around

• http://svsm.org/gallery/pershingII

• http://svsm.org/gallery/pershing2

Build notes

This is a photo of the ModelCollect Pershing II built and displayed incorrectly. Here it looks like the launcher can be moved with the warhead attached to the missile, and that is absolutely wrong.

Pershing II had two modes: launch and travel. In travel mode the rotating pallet (the assembly below the warhead) would slide back to support the warhead and radar sections. The splice between the warhead and guidance section would be separated into the cradle, then the pallet moved forward and the sections strapped down. Then the pallet is rotated so that the warhead is facing rearward and a cover is placed over the sections. The box just behind the rotating pallet is the hydraulic tank. Forward of the tank is the work platform. The work platform folds up in two pieces and is locked down. The truck then backs up to lock onto the kingpin, which is located to the rear of the hydraulic tank. Then the three leveling jacks are retracted and the erector launcher is ready for travel.

In the photo above, and others, it looks like the kingpin is under the front of the work platform; this is incorrect. Pershing was designed with a standard trailer length to be able to maneuver through the tight streets of German towns and through the forests.

In the above image, the kingpin is just visible behind the hydraulic tank. The ModelCollect version is missing the kingpin, which accounts for the confusion

The image on the right shows the launcher in the launch mode. The leveling jacks are down with the pads installed and the tires are off the ground. The front landing gear is up. The work platform is down and the warhead cradle is forward. The truck would be moved forward a few feet.

And that is another issue. the build instructions give the option to build the landing gear up or down by choosing E44 and E45 for down or E42 and E43 for up. And the leveling jacks can be built extended (F15, F16) or retracted (F13, F14). But the work platform can only be built in the launch position, which means the landing gear must be up and the leveling jacks extended.

To recap:

• • Build with E42, E43 and F15, F16

  • Display with the truck just forward of the launcher

  • Scratch build a kingpin