WGerman SPz 52-3

	- Bundeswehr Mörserträger SPz 52-3 -
	Post World War II

	The Kit:
	This 1/87th scale model is produced by ROCO Minitanks and is manufactured in Austria. It is Kit No. Z-213. These models are geared towards Wargaming or just plain toys for youngsters however, they are quite collectable and there are numerous internet sites and clubs devoted to these Minitanks.
	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:
	- Interior:
	All of the snap-fit components and toy wheels were removed and their corresponding holes were backed with styrene and reverse filled with putty then sanded smooth. With the open mortar well exposing various gaps and empty spaces, I added simple representations of bulkheads from styrene card to block these areas off.
	- Exterior:
Most photos that I have seen of the actual vehicle in the field have the MG42/59, MG3 added to the front top right of the vehicle for self-defense. This MG is not included with the kit however, it is an accessory to the Infantry figure set mentioned below. I scratch-built a pedestal mount from styrene and the shield is made from K&S Engineering .08 mm (.003 in) thick brass shim. Including the gun, there are nine parts to this assembly.

Many details were added to the exterior, 81 parts to be precise. New towing shackles, lights, light guards, horn and stowage rack were added to the front. Lights, towing shackles, stowage rack, step bracket, and license plate holder with convoy lights (?) were added to the rear. The muffler also required some additional work, mostly in correcting the exhaust deflection. All of the additional parts were fabricated from styrene strips and copper wire with the light guards and front rack being constructed from .25 mm (.010 inch) diameter brass rod carefully super glued into place. The antenna is made from .13 mm (.005 inch) diameter stainless steel rod.

- Mortar:
The mortar included in the kit was under scale as well as out of round. I replaced this with a length of aluminum tubing that was just about perfect in outside diameter and was cut to length. The bore was partially drilled out with a pin vise to the proper diameter. The remaining parts are from bits of styrene from Evergreen (strip), Plastruct (round) and Contrail (tubing).


The Figure:
	Also is a product of ROCO Minitanks and comes from their Infantry Combat Group US., BW., NATO set, Kit No. Z-272. Casting is ok with some features (the helmet in particular) being out of shape and required sanding to a better shape. Minor parting line removal on the body was required and the filling of a sink hole on his upper back with putty being a necessity. Otherwise, he is as packaged with no assembly required.


Base and Groundwork:
Cut from scrap pine to 51 x 102 x 19 mm (2 x 4 x 3/4 in). Sanded and stained with an oil based stain with several coats of polyurethane clear gloss added to seal the wood.
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.
The groundwork is a mix of Sculptamold, wood glue (aliphatic resin glue) and water. The track ruts were pressed in prior to the mix setting-up and then allowed to dry thoroughly.
Static grass was sprinkled over a thin coating of white glue (PVA) and water. The bushes are made of foam and are from Woodland Scenics. 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.

Actual Vehicle and Armament Info:

- 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).


General Vehicle 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.