The Kit:

This is the Italeri kit in 1/35 scale and is molded in styrene plastic.

The Details:

Items added to this model were the tension spring and chain to the bipod legs and the elevation handle fashioned from bent wire. The weapon's sight unit is from the spares box and I believe that it is also an Italeri item.

The Extras:

The M1 Carbine and backpack are from Tamiya. I added the 2-magazine pouch to the stock of the rifle. The rifle sling and mounting 'hardware' were also added.

Painting, Weathering and Finishing:

Acrylic Paints and flat coat were used throughout. Artist oils thinned with an odorless brush cleaner and thinner were used for the washes.

Base and Groundwork:

This base is pine wood and cut to 3-1/2 inches in diameter, stained and sealed with multiple coats of polyurethane. Sculptamold was used for the initial ground cover. A couple of stones were pressed in and the bushes are dried-flowers. Static grass was applied, and I used baby powder, white glued in place for the snow.

General Mortar Info:

In the self-propelled mode, the M1 81mm Mortar was transported by the M4, M4A1 and M21 Half-Tracked Mortar Carriers. These vehicles enabled the mortar to also be fired from within a semi armored vehicle, offering crew protection from small arms fire and shell fragments as well as mobility.

Actual Mortar Data:

Weight: Tube: 44.5lbs, Bipod: 46.5lbs, Baseplate: 45lbs (Total weight: 136lbs)

Overall Length: 3ft, 9.5in

Muzzle Velocity (HE): 700 feet per second