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Italian 81 mm Mortar,
81/35
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World War II |
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The Kit: |
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This 1/35th
scale kit is from Model Victoria and is cast in
resin. A beautiful casting with excellent
detail provided all around. |
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The Details: |
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I added the tension chain made from fine chain and to this a length of fine wire coiled to represent the
spring. I also fabricated the
elevation and traversing handles from formed brass wire with two-part
epoxy "knobs". |
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The
Extras: |
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All the items shown came with the kit. (As well as
3 beautifully cast figures). |
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The mortar bombs are excellently cast and are just about right on as far
as scale goes. I relied on the kit's instructions as a painting guide
for the bombs. |
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I added the harness to the backpack from thin strips of drafting tape
with either styrene plastic or photo-etch brass 'buckles'. |
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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, 6.5 mm M91/38. |
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Base and
Groundwork: |
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The oak base
measures 3-1/2 inches in diameter. It is stained 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 and forest litter was also used sparingly about. |
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Painting, Weathering and Finishing: |
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Acrylic metal primer, paints and flat coat were used throughout.
Artist oils thinned with an odorless brush
cleaner and
thinner were used for the washes. |
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General Mortar Info: |
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| 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 16 kg 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. |
