1:72 M65 ATOMIC ANNIE Gun, Heavy, Motorized, 280mm Firing Mode

M65 Atomic Annie in firing configuration, 1:72 scale

This is a finished collector's model of military hardware, not a kit. It captures the American M65 280 mm heavy gun in firing configuration, that is lifted off the transport rig and deployed into the firing position. The full official designation of the real subject reads Gun, Heavy, Motorized, 280mm — the word Motorized is part of the army name of the weapon and says nothing about the model having a drive of its own.

The real subject

The M65 was an American 280 mm heavy gun introduced in the first half of the 1950s. By road it was moved slung between two tractors, one at the front and the other at the rear, which allowed the rig to get through bends it would otherwise not have managed. Before firing, the carriage was lowered onto outriggers that carried the recoil into the ground, and the barrel was set in traverse and elevation. The weapon was given the nickname Atomic Annie by the press of the day. Because of the weight and size of the whole rig it stayed in service only briefly and was replaced by lighter systems.

Placement and care

The model is meant for a display case, not for handling. Always pick it up by the chassis or the carriage, never by the barrel — that is the longest and most vulnerable part. Choose a display case out of direct sunlight, which over the years takes the richness out of the colors. Brush the dust away with a soft brush rather than a cloth, so that the applied detail is not rubbed off. Whether the package also contains the tractors should be checked on the box.

Who the model is for

• collectors of artillery hardware who want a finished piece without building
• anyone interested in hardware of the 1950s in a single 1:72 scale
• those building a display collection who want to add a sizeable exhibit to it
• modelers looking for a reference to compare with their own build

This is a finished collector's model, not a kit. You need no paints, glue or tools for it.