May 11, 2025

Preview: ForeArt's 1/35th scale Ukrainian M142 HIMARS ATACMS/GMLRS...

ForeArt's second M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) kit is available for pre-order in shops now. We have CAD images of the sprues, the bonus driver & the separately sold wheels to suit both tier kits. We look at this Ukrainian version in our preview...

ForeArt 1/35th scale Ukrainian M142 HIMARS ATACMS/GMLRS 

Ukrainian M142 HIMARS ATACMS/GMLRS 
From ForeArt
Kit No. 5002
Plastic & photo-etch kit.
1st batch comes with a bonus driver
Expected June 2025
Pre-order price: $39 USD from Hobbyeasy
The Subject:
HIMARS is the most technically advanced, affordable, and sustainable artillery solution, providing cutting-edge technology on an indigenous platform. Maximum commonality with the M270A1 launch system and MLRS interoperability. Simplifies coalition operations, training, logistics, and coordination. The HIMARS carries a six-pack of GMLRS rockets or one TACMS missile and is designed to launch the entire MLRS family of munitions. HIMARS carries a single six-pack of rockets or one ATACMS missile on the Army's Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) 5-tonne truck and can launch the entire MLRS family of munitions. It was successfully combat-tested in Operation Iraqi Freedom. HIMARS is C-130 transportable and can be deployed into areas previously inaccessible to heavier launchers. It also incorporates the self-loading, autonomous features that have made MLRS the premier rocket artillery system in the world. Under contract to the U.S. Army, Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 400 HIMARS launchers to the Army, Marine Corps, and international customers.

A well-known photo of the HIMARS in Ukrainian service with the troll-grin face.
In May 2005, the 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery became the first unit equipped with HIMARS. Since then, the Army has fielded eleven additional battalions in both active and National Guard units. The Army plans to field an additional six battalions. Additionally, the Marines have fielded more than 38 launchers.  HIMARS has expanded its global presence and has begun to serve the international market, including such countries as Jordan, Australia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Ukraine.

Hiding, grinning in the bushes...
Ukraine has damaged Russian ammunition depots, command posts and air defences using a handful of HIMARS launchers, each of which has six launch tubes armed with the ordinary GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems) rockets with an 80- to 120-km (50- to 75-mile) range.  Ukraine is also using the Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, surface-to-surface precision strike missiles to leverage momentum. ATACMS have a range of up to 300 kilometres (186 miles).

The U.S. Army’s Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) has a far longer range and more devastating firepower than the HIMARS rounds being provided to Ukraine. (U.S. Army photo)

The Kit:
We look at the CADs of this second kit from Foreart featuring the HIMARS system. This kit focuses on Ukrainian versions in service, with the large, toothy-grin M-142 on the box art. The CADS give us an appreciation of both load-outs, one with the GMLRS & the other with the ATACMS missiles.

The two loadouts shown below...
Below we have the CAD of the sprue layout. A fair few sprues for one truck!
Kit Features: 
- The cab can be posed in an up position for an engine maintenance scene (there is also a full engine) if you like.
- The full interior is captured in this kit with lots of detail. Both doors and the gunner's hatch atop the cab can be posed open or closed.
- Showing the truck's engine and chassis...
The driver figure is sold in the first batch of these kits as a special offering.



M142 HIMARS Sagged Tires (seperate from the kit)
From FOREART
1/35th scale
3d-printed resin
Release ETA 06-2025
Price: $20 USD from HobbyEasy
The stock wheels in the kit are vinyl These resin replacements are sold separately and are for release in June 2025. They look very nice indeed. There are six wheels in this set of resin.

This kit is expected in June 2025. You can see more about ForArt's kits on the ForeArt facebook page