- German 10cm Nebelwerfer 35 -
World War II

Nebelwerfer 35

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.

       
Nebelwerfer 35

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.

Nebelwerfer 35

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.

Nebelwerfer 35

The Baseplate:

   
Nebelwerfer 35

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

   
Nebelwerfer 35

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.

Nebelwerfer 35 Nebelwerfer 35 Nebelwerfer 35
 

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.


Actual Mortar Data:  
German designation: 10cm NbW 35.  
Caliber: 105mm.  
Method of operation: Muzzle loaded, percussion fired. Nebelwerfer Bomb Markings
Crew: 5
Length of barrel (L/13): 1344mm.
Length of bore: 1207mm.
Weight traveling (3 loads): 11kg.
Weight in action: 105kg.
Weight of Baseplate: 37.65kg
Weight of Bipod: 33.1kg British Training drawing
Weight of Barrel: 32.66kg  
Traverse: 28°.  
Elevation: +45° to +90°.  
Muzzle velocity: 193m/sec.  
Ammunition: (Bomb Weight)  
Wurfgranate 35 (High Explosive): 7.26kg.
Wurfgranate 40 (Smoke): 8.62kg.
 
Maximum range: 3025m.  
Rate of fire: 10-15rpm.  
Barrel life: 15,000 to 18,000 rounds.  
Method of transport: two-wheeled hand cart.  
Original designers: Rheinmetall-Borsig AG.  

Sources:
"Weapons of the Third Reich", Terry Gander and Peter Chamberlain.
"Second World War Combat Weapons", E. J. Hoffschmidt and W. H. Tantum IV.
"Die Deutshen Skijager", Georg Gunter
Dr. Leo Niehorster - The Netherlands
Mr. Michael H. Pruett - United States
Mr. Jon Bailey - United States
Mr. Dave Potter - United States
Mr. Ville Kosonen - Norway
South Africa National Military Museum via Lt. Col. William Marshall

Previous Top Next

Image: M888 HE Mortar Bomb        Image: Proud US Army Veteran Email me about this subject... Image: M888 HE Mortar Bomb

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 © 2012
.
 All Rights Reserved.