Description
- Newly tooled M7 Priest Mid-Production with authentic
- Newly tooled one-piece slide-molded transmission cover with realistic cast detail
- Newly tooled air filters
- Newly tooled glacis plate finely produced with weld seams
- Newly tooled fighting compartment armor with accurate detail on both sides
From the Manufacturer
In the new era of modern mobile armored warfare, USA recognized the need for a self-propelled howitzer that could keep pace with tanks and lend rapid fire support. Out of the quest for such a vehicle, the American M7 Priest was born. Originally based on the chassis of the M3 Lee tank, the Priest received its name owing to the distinctive pulpit-like mount for the machinegun. A 105mm howitzer was fitted in the open-topped superstructure, and production of the new weapon commenced in the USA in April 1942. Priests began equipping the US Army, but some were also diverted to the British Army which was fighting in North Africa at that early stage. The Priest served with the US Army throughout the war. In all, 3490 Priests were produced, and such was their success that they served in US and other Allied armies well after WWII had concluded. Dragon has served fans of German self-propelled howitzers well, and now its the turn of Allied proponents to add artillery pieces to their collections. In fact, this new kit of a Mid-Production variant of the M7 Priest is something of a milestone since it is Dragons first ever open-topped Allied AFV with interior detail. This obviously required completely new designs and tooling for the upper hull and fighting compartment. All the necessary details such as ammo storage are present in the fighting compartment, which itself features finely honed walls to give a true-to-scale thickness to the upper-hull armor plates. The gun is highly detailed and is based on the successful towed 105mm howitzer previously released by Dragon. Interestingly, the lower hull is also a brand new tooling, having nothing in common with existing Sherman kits in Dragons range. When combined with the existing high standard of Sherman tracks and running gear, this M7 Priest is most definitely the most accurate version of this artillery piece available on the market.