12cm

German 12cm Granatwerfer 42

World War II

A Subject of Mortars in Miniature.com
Click on all photos and scans to enlarge...
	The Kit: This is the Dragon Models LTD (DML) kit in 1/35th scale, manufactured in the People's Republic of China, and is molded in styrene plastic. This kit was up to DML's normal standards of quality, and was a very easy and enjoyable kit to build. It did however require some additional work to complete.

Kit Construction:
This differed from the Italeri/Zvesda kit of the M-1938/43 mainly in the construction of the tube. DML's tube was in 2 halves whereas the Italeri/Zvesda kit was of a one piece casting. Fit was generally good with the two halves, but with minor seams to fill and sand smooth. There were a couple of deep sink marks to fill in on the baseplate, one each at the 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock positions and after multiple thin coats of Squadron's Putty (white), they sanded out perfectly. The lifting handles were replaced by bent wire.

	The Details: Basically, the majority of parts added were bolt heads made out of .010 inch thick Evergreen styrene punched out with the Historex punch set. These were added where appropriate. I also added the tension chain/spring combination to the bipod legs. There were a total of twenty-five parts added to the model.

Base and Groundwork: The groundwork is Sculptamold and to this was added stones, Verlinden Static Grass and some dried flowers for the bushes. The base is cut from oak and is 3-1/2 inches in diameter, routed with my Dremel Tool, stained with a natural colored stain and sealed with multiple coats of Polyurethane.

	Painting, Weathering and Finishing: PollyS/PollyScale Acrylic Paints were 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:
Initially issued to mortar battalions with infantry units receiving theirs later. A (motorized) heavy mortar battalion was issued thirty-six Granatwerfer 42's, divided between three companies. An almost exact copy of the Soviet regimental mortar, M1938/43. This weapon could use both Soviet and German ammunition. A powerful and a very popular weapon with German front-line units, and in some cases, this weapon replaced standard infantry field guns.

Actual Data:
German designation: 12cm GrW 42 and 378(r).
Caliber: 120mm. (12cm)
Length of barrel (L/15.5): 1865mm.
Length of bore: 1536mm.
Weight traveling: 560kg.
Weight in action: 285kg.
Traverse: 8° to 17°.
Elevation: +45° to +84°.
Muzzle velocity: 283m/sec.
Bomb weight: 15.6kg.
Maximum range: 6050m.
Rate of fire (maximum): 8 to 10rpm; (normal): 6rpm.
Barrel life: 3,000 rounds.
Manufacturer: Erste Brunner Masch.-Fabr., Brunn.

British Training drawings
Courtesy of the
Johannesburg, South Africa
National Military Museum
via Lt. Col. William Marshall

References:
"German Trench Mortars and Infantry Mortars, 1914-1945", Wolfgang Fleischer. Schiffer Military/Aviation History.

"Weapons of the Third Reich", Terry Gander and Peter Chamberlain

Mr. Michael H. Pruett - United States

	German 12cm Mortar, Granatwerfer 42 Comments, suggestions, additional info?

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