Molding is crisp in semi-hard styrene with fairly good detail for this scale and typical of ROCO Minitanks. Assembly is quite simple and being basically a snap-together model, hobby glues are not a necessity to assemble this model.

A few inaccuracies are present in the model. The road wheels are a bit under size in diameter and the smoke discharges are two separate banks of three each where as actual photos show two banks of four each, I did not attempt to correct this. The track pads are not correct however, the general profile of this vehicle is well represented.

Part cleanup was minimal. My example was under cast in a few areas but nothing that a little putty and sanding couldn't fix. I chose to use glue for assembly and some pressure to align the upper and lower hull sections was required while the glue set.

There were no decals provided with this kit. Markings shown on my example are from ROCO (available separately however, OOP), Italeri and Revell (1/72nd scale), my spares box and hand painted. Locating the decals was the biggest obstacle to finishing this model.

The 81 mm Mortar Carrier version, SPz 51-3 could very easily be represented from this kit as well. The only differences being (very) basically, the mortar.

The Details:

• Vehicle: 

• Figure:

The Base and Groundwork:
Cut from scrap pine to 51 x 102 x 19 mm (2 x 4 x 3/4 in). Sanded, routered and stained with an oil based stain with several coats of polyurethane clear gloss added to seal the wood.

After masking off the base with a lo-tak drafting tape, the groundwork, which consists of a mix of Sculptamold, wood glue (aliphatic resin glue) and water was added. The track ruts were pressed in prior to the mix setting-up and then allowed to dry thoroughly.

Verlinden Static Grass was sprinkled over a thin coating of white glue (PVA) and water. The bushes are Woodland Scenics products and the acrylic paints used, take well to the foam material that these are made from. Various bits of dried flowers were used as well.

Painting, Weathering and Finishing:
Various brands of acrylic paints were used throughout this project along with artist oils thinned with an odorless brush cleaner for the wash effect. Acrylic paints were also used for the dry brushing to highlight details. A light 'dusting' of Bragdon Enterprises pastel weathering chalks were used on the groundwork as well as on the model. PollyScale acrylic Flat Coat was then applied to the overall finished subject and then PollyScale acrylic Gloss Coat was applied to the 'glass' areas. I also filled the light 'cavities' with Microscale Micro Krystal Kleer.

All of the components to this vignette were fixed into position with white glue.

The name plate was made from shined K&S Engineering brass strip measuring 12.7 wide x .254 mm thick (1/2 in wide x .010 in thick). Lettering is of the dry-transfer type from Letraset and was transferred to the brass strip with a burnishing tool. Once the lettering was in place, the brass strip was cut to length. I then applied a strip of Avery Self-Adhesive Laminating sheet to prevent the letters from getting worn off and fingerprints on the brass strip. This was then fixed into position on the wood base with double-sided tape.

There are four felt pads fixed to the underside corners of the base.

General Info:
Based on the HS-30 Armored Personnel Carrier that served the Bundeswehr from 1958 to 1969, the SPz 52-3 120 mm Mortar Carrier variation would continue to serve well into the 1980's. Initially produced by the Swiss manufacturer of Hispano-Suiza, the HS-30 and it's derivatives would eventually be co-produced by a number of British and European countries in order to quickly fill the rearmament requirements of the new West German Army (Bundeswehr).

The SPz 52-3 were assigned to the mortar platoons within heavy companies within armored infantry battalions.

Actual Data:

Vehicle:

Weight: 15 Metric Tons (16.5 Tons).
Maximum Speed: 55 km/hr (30 mph).
Maximum Range: (Improved Surface) 270 km (168 m).
Engine: 8-cyl, 4-stroke Rolls Royce, gasoline powered delivering 230 hp.
Fuel Capacity: 340 l (90 gal).
Crew: 5.
Armor thickness: 15-30 mm (0.59-1.18 in)

Primary Armament:
Tampella of Finland designed and produced the mortar used on this vehicle.

Designation: Unknown.
Caliber: 120 mm.
Max Range: 6,500 m (7,200 yds).
Sustained Rate of Fire: 15 rounds per minute.

Secondary Armament:
Designated MG42/59 from 1959 to 1968, MG3 from 1968 to present day. Externally fired. 3,000 rounds carried internally.

Caliber: 7.62mm NATO (.308 Win).
Weight: 11.5 kg (25,35 lbs) on bipod, plus tripod 25 kg (55 lbs).
Length: 1225 mm (48.23 in).
Length of barrel: 565 mm (22.24 in).
Feeding: belt 50 or 250 rounds.
Rate of fire: 1200 rounds/minute.
Muzzle Velocity: 820 m/s (2690.30 ft/sec).

Sources:

• JED, The Military Equipment Directory
• Modern Firearms & Ammunition site
• Mr. Paul Truhe -United States
• Mr. Brian Jones - United States
• LTC. Robin Gronovius -United States Army

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