Soviet M1937

- Soviet 82 mm Mortar, M1937 -

World War II, Korean War

1942-1943 Version with M1941 Base Plate

The Kit:

This subject was based on the 1/72nd scale kit manufactured by Revell Germany that is part of one of their "Figuren Series". Details were really not up to the quality that I am used to for a model per se' (better suited for the war gaming role) but, I was able to utilize a few of the kit parts to aid in the scratch built reconstruction of this subject.

The Details:
Along with the original Revell kit parts that were salvaged, the rest of the parts came from various sources. Fine electrical wire, Autographics "Stick-On" Flexible Aluminum cut into strips, Evergreen (flat) and Plastruct (round) styrene plastic, various diameters of brass and copper rod and sewing thread were all used to construct this model. All of the handle end "knobs" are drops of super glue and are not included in the total part count. Of the 56 parts required to build up this model, only three were from the original kit and those parts were somewhat modified.

The Extras:
The snow skis and poles are made from Evergreen styrene strip, Plastruct rod, fine electrical wire and Autographics "Stick-On" Flexible Aluminum tape. The skis consist of 11 parts each and the poles, including the tape, are seven parts each. Based on an artwork of German WWII skis, I added the green stripe from a spare decal sheet.

The 3-Round ammo cans were scaled up from 1/35th scale to 1/1 scale, then scaled down to 1/72nd scale. To obtain a realistic scale thickness, I laminated three strips of styrene plastic. The rest of the composition includes the self sticking aluminum cut into strips, thin wire and copper rod. There are eight parts to each ammo can.

The PPSh 41 submachine gun is an ESCI accessory item and to this, the sling was added by using the lead foil that is found on wine bottles, cut into a strip and super glued into place. Styrene bits were used to create the sling's 'hardware'. In total, there are six parts. There was a hand molded on the stock that had to be removed.

This weapon was of standard Soviet WWII issue and continued in service around the world for many years including and well after the Korean War.

Painting, Weathering and Finishing:
PollyScale/PollyS acrylic paint and flat coat were used entirely. Winsor and Newton Oils thinned with Loew-Cornell Odorless Brush Cleaner and Thinner were used for the wash to provide depth.

Markings:
The white alignment stripes are decals from a Microscale aircraft decal sheet from my spares drawer, cut into strips and are applied sandwiched in between thin coats of Future Floor Wax.

Base and Groundwork:

Is scrap oak cut to a pattern that was slightly larger than the contour of the original groundwork supplied with the kit. The wood was sanded, stained and sealed with multiple coats of polyurethane.

Is a mix of Sculptamold, white glue and water. Once dry, it was painted with a white primer and then Woodland Scenics "Snow" was sprinkled on.

General Mortar Info:

The Model 1937 (old type) was the first battalion mortar accepted by the Soviet Army and it was issued in a limited quantity. This mortar is a smooth-bore, muzzle loaded, high angle-of-fire weapon with a fixed firing pin for drop firing. This weapon was improved on in 1942 (1942-1943 Version) and again in 1945 (new type).

The Soviet 82mm mortar is a close-combat weapon with high-trajectory fire. It has the following missions:

(1) Neutralization and destruction of enemy manpower.
(2) Silencing of enemy artillery.
(3) Destruction of wire and other obstacles in the path of advancing friendly troops.
(4) Destruction of enemy material and equipment.
(5) Defeat of targets that are inaccessible to flat-trajectory fire.

Although usually emplaced in the defilade, the mortar is frequently used in the open. These mortars are not effective against earthen and timber bunkers and similar fortifications.

United Nations Forces encountered the M1937 as well as other Soviet WWII vintage 82mm mortars during the conflict in Korea.


Transportation:
The mortar may be placed in a hand cart or trailer, it may be man-carried by 3-man loads (plus ammo bearer(s) or it may be transported by pack animal. (Note that Fig. 37 is showing the M1937 Base plate.)


Actual Mortar Data:
Caliber: 82mm.
Weight in firing position: 123lb.
Weight of barrel w/pack: 42lb.
Length of barrel: 48in.
Diameter of base plate: 23in.
Elevation limits: 45° to 85°
Traverse limits @ 45° elevation (w/o repositioning bipod): +/-3°
Traverse limits (repositioning bipod but w/o moving base plate): 30°
Sight: M1937, old type - MII-82YC (MP-82US) M1937, 1942-1943 version - MIIB-82 (MPB-82) (not shown) M1937, new type - MII-41 (MP-41), MII-42 (MP-42), MIIM-44 (MPM-44)
Minimum Range: 90 yards.
Maximum Range: 3320 yards.
Rate of fire (max): 25 Rounds Per Minute


Sighting Units

MII-41 (MP-41)	MII-42 (MP-42)	MIIM-44 (MPM-44)	MIIB-82 (MPB-82)	MII-82YC (MP-82US)


Ammunition:				M1 and M4 Fuses:
There are two types of ammunition fired from the 82mm mortar. (Note: US, British, French, German, and Chinese 81mm ammunition may be fired from the 82mm mortar.) (1) High Explosive: HE ammunition were of two designs: one with six stabilizing fins and one with 10 fins. (2) Smoke: A six-fin smoke round was available for this weapon. A training (non-explosive) round was also available for this weapon.

Type and Nomenclature	Fuse	Weight of Complete Round (lb.)	Max. No. of Increments
HE (6 fins) 0-832	M-1	7.28	6
	M-4	7.28
	MII-82	6.82
HE (10 fins) 0-832дD	M-1	7.28	3
	M-4	7.28
	MII-82	7.61
Smoke (6 fin) д-832	M-1	8.07	6
	M-4	8.07
	MII-82	7.61

Increments/Stabilization Tubes:
There are two types of increment charges available for use with 82 mm ammunition. The six-fin round used up to six "Boat-type" and the 10-fin round used the "Ring-type" charges.


PPSh 41, 7.62mm Soviet Submachine Gun Пайстолет-Палемиот Шпаджина обр 1941 (Pistolet-Pulemyot Shpagina obr 1941)
Caliber: 7.62 x 25mm automatic
Length: 33.10in. (840.7mm)
Rate of Fire: 900 Rounds Per Minute
Muzzle Velocity: 1600 Feet Per Second
Weight unloaded: 8lb. (3.6kg) with drum 12lbs. (5.4kg)
Weight of loaded magazines: 1.5lbs, box type (.7kg), 4lbs. drum type (1.8 kg)
Magazine capacity: 35 round detachable box or 71 round drum
Barrel length: 10.6in. (269.2mm) four groove, right hand twist.
Ammunition: 74 grain bullet, 8 grain charge (AP/Incen.) 1.36in (35.4 mm)
Firing modes: Selective, Semi and full automatic
Sights: Adjustable from 50 to 500 meters. (Later models had an "L" flip rear sight set for 100 and 200 meters.)


Sources:
Mr. Jerrill F. Janik - United States
LTC. Rob Gronovius - United States Army
Weapons of the Korean War
Bill's PPSh-41 Pages

	Mortars in Miniature ...A Scale Model Collection of the "Infantryman's Artillery"...