81-35

A Subject of Mortars in Miniature.com
Click on all photos and scans to enlarge...
	The Kit: This kit is from the Italian firm Model Victoria, cast in resin and is also in 1/35th scale. A beautiful casting with excellent detail provided all around. It was a real treat to build up this model of the Italian 81mm Mortar.

	The Details: As good of a kit as it was, a few items were not included in the package. I added the tension chain made from fine chain from Builders in Scale and to this a length of fine wire coiled to represent the tension spring, was added to one end of the chain. I also fabricated the elevation and traversing handles from formed brass wire with two-part epoxy "knobs".

	The Extras: All the items shown laying about, came with the kit. (As well as 3 beautifully cast figures). The mortar bombs are excellently cast and are just about right on as far as scale goes. They almost actually fit in the tube's muzzle. With no reference on this weapon found, I relied on the kit's instructions as a painting guide for the bombs. The carrying handle on the bomb container is thinly cast and care must be taken in order to not break it off during the construction and painting processes. I added the harness to the backpack from thin strips of drafting tape with either styrene plastic or photo-etch brass 'buckles'. The rifle... This is just a beauty. Cleanly cast and all that will be needed to enhance this up is to add the sling and it's mounting 'hardware'. It is a replica of the Italian Short Rifle, 6.5mm M91/38 and is most known as the type of rifle that Lee Harvey Oswald used on November 22, 1963 to assassinate President Kennedy.

The Base and Groundwork:
This base is cut to 3-1/2 inches in diameter also and is of oak, stained with a natural stain and sealed with multiple coats of Polyurethane. Sculptamold mixed with white glue was added for the groundwork. Various sized stones and some twigs were pressed in and again, there are dried-flowers added for the bushes. Hudson & Allen Forest Litter was also used sparingly about.

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:
This weapon was produced in Italy under license from the French manufacturer Brandt. Designed to be broken down into 3-man portable loads of roughly 16kg each, the Model 81/35 served the Italian Army well into the 1950's.

Mainly issued to the Italian elite Mountain Light Infantry "Alpini" troops, the 3-man load and accessories were normally transported by mules in the mountainous country in which these troops operated in. This weapon could also be found in regular Infantry Units within the Italian Army. It was also the mortar of choice with the Italian paratroopers.

The 81/35 was usually deployed with two weapons per squad ("squadra") and usually under Battalion command. A mortar platoon consisted of three squads and a mortar company contained three mortar platoons plus a headquarters platoon. The mortar and headquarters platoons were usually not tactically employed units.



Courtesy of LT. Davide Valfrè

The Model 81/35 is very similar in appearance to the US M1 and Japanese Type 97 81mm Mortars. All having originated from the original Brandt design.

Actual Data:
Barrel Length: 1,550mm
Length of Bore: 1,450mm
Thickness of Tube Wall: 6.99mm
Elevation: +30º to +85º
Muzzle Velocity: 295mps
Weight: 40kg
Accessories Weight: 10kg
Transport Accessories: 61kg
Range (HE): 5,000m

Instruzione Provvisoria (Temporary)
Sul Mortario Da 81 mm Modello 35
1942 - Anno XX (Fascist Year 20)

LT. Davide Valfrè - Italy
Mr. Dave Lomas - United States
Mr. Mathew Messiaen - Italy

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 © 2001 - 2008.
All Rights Reserved.

	Italian 81mm Mortar, 81/35 Comments, suggestions, additional info?