History

The AMX Mk.61 was a self propelled howitzer developed in the 1950s which combined the hull of the AMX-13 light tank with a towed field howitzer. This created a self propelled gun to support France’s mobile forces.

Development of the AMX Mk.61 self propelled howitzer began in 1949 to provide a replacement for wartime equipment operated by the French Army and help build up the French arms industry.

It combined the hull of the AMX-13 light tank with a towed howitzer that was modified to fit into the lightly armoured box what was built onto the back of the hull.

The resulting vehicle was very mobile and effective for its time.

France acquired 429 of these vehicles which is used to support its mobile forces from 1958. They were also purchased for the armies of the Netherlands, Morocco, Indonesia and Israel where they were used in the Six Days War.

This model represents an AMX Mk.61 in service with the French Army in the 1960s.

Ace 1/72 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds in May 2022.

 

Work Bench Notes

Data

MODEL: AMX Mk.61

ROLE: Self propelled howitzer

TIME PERIOD: 1949-

ENGINES: one SOFAM 8Gxb eight cylinder petrol engine of 190kW

WIDTH: 2.6m

LENGTH: 6.4m

GROSS WEIGHT: 16,500kg

MAXIMUM SPEED: 60km/h

RANGE: 349km

CREW: 349km

ARMAMENT: one Obusier de 105 model 1950 howitzer

SCALE: 1/72

KIT:

GALLERIES:

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