The M65 Atomic Cannon, often called Atomic Annie, was a towed artillery piece built by the United States and capable of firing a nuclear device. It was developed in the early 1950s, at the beginning of the Cold War, and fielded by 1953 in Europe and Korea. The cannon was transported by two specially designed tractors, both capable of independent steering in the manner of some extra-long fire engines. Each of the tractors was rated at 375 hp, and the somewhat awkward combination could achieve speeds of 35 miles an hour and negotiate right turns on 28 ft wide, paved or packed roads. The artillery piece could be unlimbered in 15 minutes and then returned to traveling configuration in 15 minutes more.
The Kit:
Revell has dusted the molds to bring us yet another classic in sturdy and nostalgic ”60 Anniversary” box. As with their 1/32 Wrecker Truck, this is a SSP (Special Subject Program) edition meaning that the run is only for a limited time. The kit comes in 8 quite large sprues molded in light gray. Personally, I’m in favor of gray molding over the Olive Drab. However I think I could make an exception here.
Skill level: 3
Scale: 1/32
Length: 33-1/2″
Parts: 292
This kit is labeled as Level 3 but mostly because of the parts count and not because is a difficult model to build. This is the perfect project for the young modeler which often times is OK with painting the tires but is OK with leaving the model in its molded color. I frequent a quite busy local hobby shop for supplies, and I’ve seen and interacted over and over with grand parents and grandchildren building together models like these. The markings provided are for just one
If the real Atomic Cannon is a piece of history, the model kit also is in its own right. Parts still bear the 1957 Revell stamp on them. Due to the size of this model, the parts are big and in my experience, I could comfortably say that the Atomic Cannon model kit is well within the building capabilities of the younger crowd.
As for us the adult model builder, the kit is a nice trip back to our early modelling years. Obviously this is not a kit with today’s standards, but I’m happy to build memories without paying premium. To build or just to bring back a nostalgic memories with its colorful art work, this kit should be in any model builders stash.
My most sincere thanks to Revell for the review sample.
