New Member

[Brian Fleming]

Greetings from Prince Edward Island, Canada,

I am a new member and took possession of a 25 Pdr. kit just today. I'm very impressed by the quality of the kit and the excellent service I received during the acquisition process (thank you, Monique).

In an attempt to hit the ground running I have taken time to read through many of the forum topics over the last few weeks. I must admit that I am absolutely gob-smacked by the incredible depth and breadth of knowledge available here. Since I am brand new at tackling a project like this, there is no doubt I will be in contact from time to time.

The build is a tribute to my Dad who, in 1956, was introduced to the 25 Pdr. during ab initio training with "W" Battery at the 4th Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery's regimental depot at Camp Utopia, New Brunswick. While he went on to train on a variety of other systems (various mortars, 105mm/155mm howitzers and the Honest John missile) there is still a big spot in his heart reserved for the 25 Pdr.

It is my intention to build the model as a replica of the 25 Pdr. that was used to fire the last shot made by a Canadian regular-force artillery unit. Wish me luck!

Cheers,
Brian Fleming

Per Ardua Ad Astra

[Stephen White]

Good luck Brian and welcome. The Knowledge Base is a good place to start. Talking of the 25 pdr bowing out, in 1992 I saw the last round being fired in British Army service by the Honorable Artillery Company on Salisbury Plain. I had the privilege of flying the observer who gave the order to fire. He was a veteran of Alamein and had last issued a fire order in anger some 47 years previously.

[Brian Fleming]

Thank you, Stephen. What an honour that flight must have been! "UBIQUE"

[Marcus Kwa]

Welcome Brian,

The 25pdr is an excellent kit to start with! Numerous builds have been presented on this forum to draw inspiration from! The actual piece is well documented with lots of actual examples to measure up and replicate in scale.
Drawing from my own experience even through the build you will gain new skills and insights wanting to redo parts already finished (well in my case anyway.....).
Have a blast and know there is a lot of assistance available on this forum!!

Marcus

[Kevin James]

Welcome Brian.
Like you, I am a new member who now has a 25 Pdr to build. I also have been very impressed by everything that I have seen on the forum. My next task will be to get the update set, and sort out another visit to The Cobbaton Combat Collection (as it was there's used as reference for the kit) on my next visit to my home town.

Kevin

[Brian Fleming]

Thanks, Marcus!

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'll certainly be tapping into that knowledge and truly appreciate it.

As far as detail, I do have a pdf copy of a 25 Pdr maintenance manual, so that will help a bit.

Brian

Welcome Brian,

The 25pdr is an excellent kit to start with! Numerous builds have been presented on this forum to draw inspiration from! The actual piece is well documented with lots of actual examples to measure up and replicate in scale.
Drawing from my own experience even through the build you will gain new skills and insights wanting to redo parts already finished (well in my case anyway.....).
Have a blast and know there is a lot of assistance available on this forum!!

Marcus

[Brian Fleming]

Thanks, Kevin!

I ordered up the update set along with the drag rope and a single round of ammunition.

Unfortunately there are very few communities that possess 25 Pdrs here in Canada. I have seen the copies at the War Heritage Museum in Ottawa and another at Garrison Petawawa. I suspect the closest is in Gagetown, New Brunswick, where the artillery school is located.

I'm ex-airforce so you know that I am challenged with respect to army equipment. [grin]

Cheers,
Brian

Welcome Brian.
Like you, I am a new member who now has a 25 Pdr to build. I also have been very impressed by everything that I have seen on the forum. My next task will be to get the update set, and sort out another visit to The Cobbaton Combat Collection (as it was there's used as reference for the kit) on my next visit to my home town.

Kevin

[Brian Fleming]

Stephen,

I was chatting with my dad this evening and read to him your post. He was very impressed and gave a "good show" to pass along.

I forgot to mention that Dad was at the last 25 Pdr shoot. In fact he worked in the troop command post and produced the data for the final round's firing (he was a tech and finished his service as a Group 4 Surveyor). He'll be 84 in a couple months but when I talk to him about his time in the army, he is still there.

Thanks again for sharing.

Brian

Good luck Brian and welcome. The Knowledge Base is a good place to start. Talking of the 25 pdr bowing out, in 1992 I saw the last round being fired in British Army service by the Honorable Artillery Company on Salisbury Plain. I had the privilege of flying the observer who gave the order to fire. He was a veteran of Alamein and had last issued a fire order in anger some 47 years previously.