| Painting, Weathering and Finishing: |
|
Model Master
acrylic primer was applied very thinly by airbrush,
and this covered the white metal quite well. PollyScale acrylic paints were
airbrushed on for the overall painting. A small amount of Testors red
enamel paint was used for the tail-lights. A
wash of Winsor and Newton Oils thinned with Loew-Cornell
Odorless Brush Cleaner and Thinner was applied and allowed to dry overnight. A coat of PollyScale acrylic flat was applied by airbrush to the overall subject as a final step. |
| General Vehicle Info: |
|
The FV432 FOV (Family of Vehicles) was produced for the British Army from 1963 to 1971. There have been regular updates to this FOV and most variants continue to serve the British Army today, one of those variants being the 81mm Armored Mortar Carrier. There are usually two FV432 (M) assigned to each Mechanized Infantry Battalion, both currently carry the 81mm L16A2 Mortar, although feasibility studies are now in progress to increase the weapon caliber to NATO standard 120mm. The mortar is usually fired to the rear or sides, but the turntable does have a full 360 degree capability. Similar in layout to the American M125, 81mm Armored Mortar Carrier, the FV432(M) is fully amphibious with preparation, which consist of erecting the flotation screen that is stowed on the perimeter of the top deck, and the securing of drainage plugs. This vehicle provides it's crew with the basic small arms fire protection as well as from shell fragmentation. |
| Actual Vehicle Data: |
| Crew: 2 + 4 (Driver, Section Chief plus Mortar crew) |
|
Armament: 1 x 7.62mm GPMG with 1,600 rounds. (Not shown) 2 x 3 Smoke Grenade Dischargers. 1 x 81mm Mortar, L16A2 with 160 rounds. |
| Length: 5.25m |
| Width: 2.8m |
| Height: 2.29m |
| Power to Weight Ratio: 15.7bhp/ton |
| Ground Clearance: .41m |
| Combat Weight (FV432): 15,280kg |
| Empty Weight (FV432): 13,740kg |
| Engine: Rolls-Royce K60 No. 4 MK 4F, 2-stroke, 6-cylinder multi-fuel developing 240bhp @ 3,750rpm. |
| Speed (Maximum): 52km/hr |
| Range (Maximum): 480km |
| Fuel Capacity: 454 liter |
| Fording Depth: 1.07m |
| Vertical Obstacle: .7m |
| Trench Crossing: 2.1m |
| Gradient: 60% |
| Side Slope: 30% |
| Armor Thickness (Maximum): 12mm |
| Armor Type: Steel |
| NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) Protection: Yes |
| Night Vision: Yes (Passive for the driver) |
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| Unless
otherwise specified, all models built, painted, photographed and are owned by
the author. Mortars in Miniature, Created and Maintained by Kevin Robert Keefe, Copyright © 2001 - 2010. All Rights Reserved. |