Angels of Fury: Dragon's M7 Priest Scale Model Build

M7 Priest WWII Allied Self-Propelled Howitzer Model Build
Lets look at a the M7 Priest. The 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7 was an American self-propelled artillery vehicle. It was given the official name 105 mm Self Propelled Gun, Priest by the British Army, due to the pulpit-like machine gun ring, and following on from the Bishop and the contemporary Deacon self-propelled guns.
The M7B1 was fully based on the M4A3 Sherman chassis. It was standardized in September 1943
WARNING: This kit does not supply enough track links to complete the model. Beware

[@KGmodels]

The Priest is such an amazing vehicle,I done a Sherman some time ago,and I really enjoyed the suspension,I have also been waiting for this one for a while,as all your Polls,I voted on it and waited,but now it is finally done!Great job my friend! ;)

[@afv-studio]

Morning KG.. Thanks. Its good to change things up a bit. That said, the next poll is good one 💡

[@lesthiele4921]

An excellent build my friend, looking forward to the painting video, my only issue with Dragon kits, is too many parts, looking forward to the painting episode, happy modelling best regards from Australia

[@afv-studio]

Thanks buddy. I wont disagree about the part count with dragon kits and there are options out there that will be just as nice if not better when finished. looking forward to finishing this one though as its not been the best Dragon kit to date.

[@jimaltergott9326]

Your precise and clean construction is to be admired and acknowledged. Keeping everything square & plumb is what challenges me the most. Facing that issue on my Tiger I. Look forward to seeing this painted and weathered! This video will help me when it comes time to build the 'Sexton'.

[@afv-studio]

Thanks Jim. It wasn't plain sailing with this kit. There were some fit issues with the front plate where it fits to the transmission cover and the kit was short at least 20 track pieces. The gun shield didn't want to play ball also and I had to cut some pieces away to make it fit correctly. Some filling was needed here and there to close gaps. I hope the sexton which I also have coming is better 🫣

[@jimaltergott9326]

@@afv-studio Wow! That is a lot of issues to overcome. You are not the first person to note the shortfall of track links with the M7, I fear that may also be the case with the Sexton too. It's basically the same chassis, perhaps Dragon simply used the same for both vehicles. With all the issues you overcame my admiration has increased!

[@mattshertzer6151]

Great build, fire your sound guy.

[@afv-studio]

Thanks, I wish I could 🤣

[@rb15026]

Great job!

[@afv-studio]

Thanks 👍

[@kploo4906]

Happy modelling👍🏻🍻😄

[@afv-studio]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@chelseachelseaboy]

Is this the kit that had the wrong tracks ?....you have done wonders with it.

[@afv-studio]

Thanks for watching...Yes. There were not enough tracks supplied so I took around 20 from another Dragon M4 kit. They supplied what was stated in the instructions but the instruction sheet is wrong. You would think after 15 years they would correct the error. 👍

[@rrl4245]

Nice work... Those after=market parts (storage) - who makes them? And who produces that figure?

[@afv-studio]

Thanks... The stowage set can be found from Legend LF1156 but the figure is from a tub of resin figures I purchased and all were in bags to save space. I've traced a number to be panzer art but not sure with this one.

[@rrl4245]

Great info, thanks...

[@michaelnaven213]

Nice work👍👏 I have a love/hate relationship with Dragon.Great subjects but way too many unnecessary parts.

[@afv-studio]

Thanks Michael 👍 I too have a love/hate thing going on with Dragon. There is a lot I find frustrating with Dragon kits.... But (you could tell there was a 'But' coming.) the thickness of their injection moulding (scale wise) is 'spot on' (side skirt armour comes to mind).

[@seegurke93]

did you have enought track links? I heard from another youtuber that he had not enough for both sides and had to get to the good old parts box of old sprues to finish the tracks.

[@afv-studio]

That's correct. The Kit is about 20 track links short. They pack the kit according to the Instruction sheet, but the number of tracks needed on the instruction sheet is wrong. So the kit will be over 20 links short.