More than 30 pieces are included in the box, of which 6 represent the huge wheels for the transport wagon (tube and breech). Particular care has to be displayed while assembling the firing and recoil mechanisms. I would recommend a careful study of good visual reference to avoid mistakes and over-simplifications, as this is not a kit for beginners. The most delicate pieces, like the two elevating handwheels, are supplied separately as photo-etched parts. 

Yes

The 240 mm howitzer M1 entered service into the U.S. Army in 1940; at the time it could fire the heaviest projectile of any U.S. field artillery weapon so far (namely a 360-pound projectile at a range greater than 14 miles). It was conceived as a powerful artillery weapon for long-range destruction of enemy communication lines and fortifications. Its breech mechanism was interchangeable with that of the 8-inch gun and the carriages were very similar. The materiel was transported on two pneumatic-tired wagons; one carried the howitzer and the cradle, while the other transported the carriage. The weapon traveled disassembled, and had to be assembled for firing by a mobile truck-mounted crane M2 (plus its clamshell trailer M16). The 240 mm. howitzer M1 was widely employed in the Second World War and in the Korean War (also by US-allied countries); as a coastal defense weapon it is still employed by Taiwan, and took part in a heavy artillery clash with the People’s Republic of China in 1958.

Hauler, a new Czech entry into the small scale world, made an important step with this kit; it is possible that their next move will be to produce the same weapon in firing position. Or also other vehicles connected with the positioning of the howitzer.

While considering the diorama potential, it is important to assess that a complete howitzer section serving this weapon was composed of:

a) A chief of section;

b) A howitzer squad (one gunner and nine cannoneers);

c) An ammunition squad (ten men including an ammunition corporal);

d) An artillery mechanic;

e) Two drivers (chauffeurs).

As said above, a truck-mounted crane was required to help dig the pits, place the howitzers in firing position and re-place them in traveling position. These operations were quite complex and required time (1 to 2 hours). The prime mover was generally the 38-ton high-speed M-6 tractor, but Hauler previously arranged also a M-35 prime mover based upon the M-10 hull.  There was also a late-WW II attempt to mount this howitzer on the hull of a M-26E3 Pershing tank to provide mobile heavy artillery support for the invasion of Japan (T-92 self-propelled howitzer). Only five T-92 were ever built by Chrysler.

All in all this is a nice and refreshing kit, let us hope to see more kits from Hauler along the same line, for example a carriage on transport wagon.

A special thanks to Ralph L. Martin for his assistance.