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Soviet 120mm Mortar, M1938/43
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World War II, Korean War |
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The Kit: |
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This is a 1/35 scale offering from the joint
Italian and Russian firm of Italeri/Zvesda and is molded in
styrene plastic. |
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The Details: |
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I added 25 additional
parts to detail this model kit. The majority of these parts being bolt and rivet heads made with
the Historex punch set. I also added a length of Builders In
Scale chain to the bipod legs. |
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The Baseplate: |
| Some putty filling was required and the welding was
rescribed. The
lifting handles were replaced with wire rod. |
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The Ammo Crate: |
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original detail was present at all. I added 58 parts, mostly in the hinge areas
with bolt heads added along with the two locking latches. I also
added the rope handles, made from Amati ship rigging. I also re-scribed the wood grain. |
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Base and
Groundwork: |
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base is oak and is 3-1/2 inches in diameter, stained with a
natural stain and sealed with multiple coats of Polyurethane. The groundwork is Sculptamold
with stones, static grass, tall grass and dried flowers. |
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Shown here being towed by the T-20 Komsomolyets kit
in 1/35th scale from Toga, having built this
combination well before I decided to build this
collection of mortars. At the time, I did not have any
reference material to rely on.
The trailer,
included in the Italeri/Zvesda kit is basically built out of the box with some
straps made from strips of drafting tape added to secure the mortar. There is
a dust cover applied to the end of the mortar's tube, this being made from
tissue paper and diluted white glue. |
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Painting, Weathering and Finishing: |
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PollyS/PollyScale Acrylic Paints and flat coat were used throughout. Winsor
and Newton Oils thinned with Loew-Cornell Odorless Brush Cleaner and
Thinner were used for the washes. |
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General Mortar Info: |
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6-120mm mortars were assigned to each Soviet Infantry Regiment.
Soviet Wartime (1941-1945) production for all models of the 120mm mortar totaled:
46,600 units.
Quite an effective and popular weapon, this weapon was
captured, copied and deployed by
the Germans as the Granatwerfer 42 during World War II. It was also
captured, copied and deployed by the Finnish Army as the Model 1938 and remained
in Finnish service well after WWII had ended.
This weapon was used in large numbers by Chinese Communist Forces
during the Korean War. Lacking any substantial artillery support during the
initial invasion across the Yalu River, the ChiCom forces relied heavily on the
M-1938/43 Mortar for in-direct fire support. |
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