Soviet M1937

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. Although still not 100% correct, I feel that what I had accomplished is a far better representation of the Soviet M1937 82mm Mortar. In this scale, it is not an easy thing to do.

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 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 had to laminate 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 Extras:

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.

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 Groundwork:
Is my usual mix of Sculptamold, White Glue and water. Once dry, I painted it with a white primer and then sprinkled on some Woodland Scenics "Snow".

The Base:
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. The nameplate was made on my computer.

Painting, Weathering and Finishing:
Acrylic Paints were used throughout. Winsor and Newton Oils thinned with Loew-Cornell Odorless Brush Cleaner and Thinner were used for the wash to provide depth. Dry brushing was accomplished with the acrylics including various shades of PollyS/PollyScale Metalline series acrylics. PollyScale acrylic Flat Coat was then applied overall to the finished subject prior to it being mounted on the wood base.

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.

General 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.

Actual 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)

Range, minimum:....... 90yd.
Range, maximum:...... 3320yd.
Rate of fire (max):..... 25rpm

ST-F-47
(ST-F-9-260-1)
Users Guide,
Soviet 82mm Mortars
May 1951
From the Archives of
Mr. Jerrill F. Janik

Sighting Units

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


Ammunition: 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.
	M1 and M4 Fuses:

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
Note: д = the letter "D"

PPSh 41, 7.62-mm 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: 900rpm

Muzzle Velocity: 1600fps

Weight unloaded: 8lb. (3.6kg) with drum 12lbs. (5.4 kg)

Weight of loaded magazines: 1.5lbs, box type (.7kg), 4lbs. drum type (1.8kg)

Magazine capacity: 35 round detachable box or 71 round drum

Barrel length: 10.6in. (269.2mm) four groove, right hand twist.

Magazine: 35 round detachable box or 71 round drum.

Ammunition: 74 grain bullet, 8 grain charge (AP/Incen.) 1.36in (35.4mm)

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.)

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.

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

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.)

	Soviet 82mm Mortar, M1937 Comments, suggestions, additional info?