75mm Gun Model 1917 - AEF
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When the US entered World War 1, it lacked a modern artillery park. It was decided to utilize the French 75mm for its divisional field gun. This allowed the US to leverage the robust French ammunition supply chain. However, the US struggled to get the French 75 into production and its own design for the Model 1916 75mm gun floundered. However, Bethlehem Steel had been producing the 18 pounder gun for the British and it was a simple matter to adapt that design to fire the French 75 ammo and make a number of changes to suit American tastes. 126 of these guns were shipped to France and issued however the armistice was signed before they saw action.
I converted a Resicast 18 pounder and limber for this project. I had to shorten the barrel, shorten the recuperator and convert it to the Mk 1 version, reshape the breach ring, build all new straight shields, build new shield mounts, create storage boxes for the inside of the shield, and modify the sights. The limber also required modification: I sawed off the top row of shells in the ammo box, built new lid, apron, and top, added the center drawers, and added US pioneer tools, lantern, and footman loops.
I finished the gun and limber with AK Real Colors, various Tamiya colors, AK weathering products, and Winsor and Newton oils. The artillery regiments that were equipped with this gun were still in training in France when the armistice was signed; so, the weathering is very light as the guns were factory fresh.
It was quite a bit of work for a very small gun; but, it was worth it to add this weapon to my display case.
