The Kit:

This kit is from Mini Art Studios, manufactured in 1/35th scale and is cast in resin. Casting was fairly well done. However, there were some minor problems encountered during the build-up. Nothing that a little extra work wouldn't resolve.

The Details:

I replaced the bipod legs with brass rod and styrene. A few other parts were replaced with Contrail styrene tubing, Evergreen styrene rod and Grandt Line Eyebolts along with some bolt heads punched out of Evergreen styrene.

The other items added to the scene were the ammo shipping canisters made up from Contrail styrene tubing and Evergreen styrene rod with any gaps being filled with Squadron putty. Normally, German mortar bombs came in wooden crates, but I do have a photo of the NbW 35 with what appears to be cardboard tubes laying a short distance form the firing line. Perhaps these were for the smoke/chemical munitions. The bomb came with the kit and this also required some minor clean-up. It appears to be an HE type bomb.

The Baseplate:

The baseplate was cast rather thin and needed some putty in order to prevent any breakthrough.

Base and Groundwork:

The base is cut from pine and is 3-1/2 inches in diameter and is stained and sealed with multiple coats of Polyurethane. The groundwork is Sculptamold and to this static grass was added along with some dried flowers for the bush.

Painting, Weathering and Finishing:

Acrylic Paints and flat and gloss coats were used throughout. Artists oils thinned with an odorless brush cleaner and thinner were used for the washes. Weathering was accomplished in part by using art pencils.

General Mortar Info:

Virtually a scaled up version of the 8cm GrW 34. Development started in 1934 with production running from 1939 to 1941. Initially issued only to 'Nebeltruppen' (artificial fog and smoke units), it was later issued to other formations as a heavy mortar, using conventional HE type ammunition. In Nebeltruppen units, this weapon was replaced by the 15 cm rocket equipment.

The Nebelwerfer 35 could be broken down into three man-packed loads and carried by its crew of seven, (team leader; three gunners; and three ammunition handlers). For movement of the mortar and ammunition over longer distances, small hand carts were issued. The three components of the NbW. 35 were:

Bipod with adjustment gear - Carried by Gunner No. 1

Tube with cover - Carried by Gunner No. 2

Baseplate - Carried by Gunner No. 3

It usually took three rounds to zero in the weapon, the first rounds were best fired at high elevation to settle the baseplate firmly on the ground.