L16A2

British 81mm Mortar, L16A2

Current British Issue

The Kit:
This is a 1/35 scale offering from the British Company, Dartmoor Military Models, and is cast in white metal. A beautiful and enjoyable kit to build requiring only very minor part clean up and all went together well with the use of super glues. There were no noticeable casting flaws to be found on this kit.

The Details:
Some minor details to be added to this kit. The retaining strap and mounting hardware were added to the bipod leg. I also added the muzzle cover from tissue paper soaked in white glue, and I used masking tape for the cover's handle.

The Extras:
To the ammo tubes that were provided with the kit, I added the carrying slings from strips of drafting tape along with their associated mounting 'hardware'. Super Scale decals from the spare decal box were added for some identification markings. The remaining items are from the Scottish firm Accurate Armor...

First off, the SA-80 5.56mm Rifle is cast in white metal and to this the rifle sling and mounting hardware were added. I was a little disappointed in this casting, but it works here and is the only SA-80 in 1/35th scale that I know of that is currently available. The rucksack is of the "Nylon" issue and is cast in resin. To this I added the strapping. The ruck included a rolled sleeping mat and as is quite common in the British Army, there are a lot of civilian items mixed in with issued items. I painted this mat in a shade of blue to emphasize the civilian 'flavor' here.

The Base and Groundwork:
This base is cut to 3-1/2 inches in diameter also and is of oak, stained with a natural colored stain and sealed with multiple coats of Polyurethane. Sculptamold mixed with white glue was once again used to shape the groundwork. Verlinden Static Grass was sprinkled on as well as some Hudson & Allen Forest Litter and Tall Grass. I really trimmed up some of my wife's dried flowers to use on this vignette by placing quite a few of those in here.

Painting, Weathering and Finishing:
With this being a metal kit, I first primed the model with PollyScale Acrylic Metal Primer. PollyS/PollyScale Acrylic Paints were then used throughout. Winsor and Newton Oils thinned with Loew-Cornell Odorless Brush Cleaner and Thinner were used for the washes. Dry brushed in part with PollyS Metalline series Acrylic Paints. PollyScale Acrylic Flat Coat was then applied overall to the finished subject.

General Info:
The L16A2 is currently issued to all infantry battalions and each battalion consists of a mortar platoon with 3 to 4 sections each. Each section deploys two 81mm mortars. The weapon is normally fitted with the C2 sighting unit and can also use the "Trilux" illuminating sight for night operations.

In the Mechanized role, the L16A2 is transportable by the FV432 (M) Armored Mortar Carrier. This fully tracked vehicle provides basic protection from small arms fire as well as from shell fragments. This weapon is also transportable by Land Rover in the stowed configuration, and must be dismounted from this vehicle and set up prior to firing. In the man-portable infantry mode of transportation, the weapon is broken down into three-man pack loads.

A new Fire Control System developed for the L16A2 is currently completing final trials and will be deployed with British Forces beginning in 2003.

Equipment Update:
This battle proven weapon system, which is lightweight, simple to use and flexible is currently undergoing a mid-life update (MLU) to incorporate recent technological developments. The inclusion of the new SPGR (Specialized Personal GPS Receiver) and LH40C (Laser) combine to make the new TLE (Target Locating Equipment). This will generate a significant enhancement in first round accuracy and the ease and speed with which accurate fire missions can be executed. Additionally, the equipment should reduce the number of adjustment rounds required which will be used and lead to greater dispersal of mortar barrels, thus increasing protection for the mortar crew. Plans continue to develop further synergies with the Royal Artillery to improve the existing levels of co-ordination between Artillery and Mortars in executing the indirect fire mission.

Conversion courses have already started to train soldiers with the new equipment and the implementation program to distribute the new equipment is running successfully.

Actual Data:
Barrel (L16A1):
Caliber: 81mm
Length: 1.27 metres
Weight: 13.0kg

Bipod (L5A5):
Elevation range: 800 to 1515mils
Traverse range: 100mils either side of centre
Weight: 12.9kg

Base Plate:
Diameter: 0.55 metre
Weight: 11.6kg
Traverse range: 6400mils

Sight Unit: C2 Trilux   Quadrant No 15
Accuracy: 2mils
Weight: 3.1kg; in case: 3.8kg
Telescope field of view: 180mils
Telescope magnification: 1.7x

Ammunition Types:
Illumination: L39A1
    Current Issue Illumination Round: L54A, Fuse: DM93(M)
High Explosive (HE): L15A3, L36A2
    Current Issue HE Rounds: L41A1, Fuse: L127A3 and L41A2, Fuse: M935
Smoke (White Phosphorous): L40A1
    Current Issue WP: L42A1, Fuse: M935
Practice: L27A1 (No longer in service)
Various inert and training rounds are also available.
"Top Attack" or Merlin Anti-Tank round no longer in development, project terminated.

Ammunition Weight:
HE: 4.5kg
WP: 4.5kg
Illumination L39: 4.3kg
Illumination L54: 4.6kg

Rates of Fire:
Between 1 and 12 rounds per minute.
Up to 20 rounds per minute in exceptional circumstances and for short periods.

Method of Fire:
Indirect
Direct, in special circumstances.

Range:
HE / WP:
    Minimum:
        200 meters (Mk 2 Charge System)
        100 meters (Mk 4 Charge System)
Maximum:
        5660 meters (Mk 2 Charge System)
        5675 meters (Mk 4 Charge System)
Illumination: (L54A1)
        400 meters min
        4800 meters max
Illumination: (L39)
Minimum - 100 meters min
Maximum - 4050 meters max

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 - 2008.
All Rights Reserved.

	British 81mm Mortar, L16A2 Comments, suggestions, additional info?