The Figure:
Is from the Dragon Models Ltd. (DML) Modern US Marines figure set and he is wearing the DCU uniform and equipment that was also common to US Army soldiers during the opening phases of OIF/OEF. Changes to the basic figure and M16A2 rifle are:

Not shown in the pre-paint photos:
        The Kevlar helmet's chin straps, fashioned from drafting tape.
        The rifle sling fashioned from note pad paper and styrene bits.
        The water bottle and decal are products of Accurate Armour.

The Base:
Cut from scrap oak to 4 inches in diameter with the edge being routered in with a Dremel Tool. Sanded and stained with a natural colored oil based stain and then sealed with multiple thin coats of polyurethane, lightly sanded in between coats. The wood was masked off with a lo-tak drafting tape to protect from the following applications of water-based groundwork material and the painting process. There are four felt pads and the completion date on the underside of the base.

The Groundwork:
Is a mix of Sculptamold, water and PVA glue. A light sprinkling of finely sifted dirt was added for the desert 'texture' and prior to the mix thoroughly drying, the boot prints were pressed in. Small chunks of Kitty Litter were used sparingly for the 'stones' and these were set in place with PVA glue. The tarp is a piece of OD colored handkerchief cut to size.

Painting, Weathering and Finishing:
The basic painting was accomplished with acrylic and enamel paints. The weathering consisted of Winsor and Newton Oils thinned with Terponoid for the various washes, acrylics paints were used for the dry-brushing and Bragdon Enterprises pastel weathering chalks were applied for the dusting effects.

Decals and Markings:  (There are no decals supplied with this kit)
Depending on the references used, markings and marking locations on the cannon and bombs varied.

• Mortar: The alignment stripe segments are from my spare decal drawer.

• Mortar Bombs: The 'stenciling' is hand-brush applied.

• Figure: The 82nd Airborne Division shoulder patch and forward charging US National flag are from Quartermaster Depot. The "U.S." on the canteen covers are water slide decals from Hudson and Allen. All decals settled down nicely with Solvaset decal setting solution.

Note: A thin coat of Future Floor Wax was airbrushed on prior to and after adding the decals.

The Final Touches:
The final weathering step was the application (by airbrush) of an acrylic flat coat followed by a light touch-up application of the pastel weathering chalks. Acrylic gloss was applied to the figure's sand goggles and to the lenses on the mortar's sight unit.

The nameplate was made from K&S Engineering brass strip that was buffed up with fine steel wool. The lettering is from Letraset and was applied by using a burnishing tool. A strip of  Avery Self-Adhesive Laminating sheet was applied to prevent damage and the nameplate was attached to the wood base with double-sided tape.

General Info:
Developed by Soltam of Israel as the K6, this weapon is manufactured in the United States by various manufacturers and has been in U.S. Army service since 1991. It is the standard U.S. Army heavy mortar and is currently deployed throughout the War on Terror and is fully compatible with NATO smooth-bore mortar ammunition standards. (For live-fire videos, see the Video Clips Page.)

This is a conventional smoothbore muzzle-loaded mortar system that provides increased range, lethality and safety as compared to the post World War II vintage 4.2-inch (107mm) M30 heavy mortar system that it has replaced in the mechanized infantry, motorized, armored, and cavalry units. It is employed as the M120 in the towed version, (as modeled) with M1100 trailer, as the M121 mounted in the M1064 full-tracked carrier and it is the M121 that is scheduled to be deployed in the Stryker 8-wheeled armored mortar carrier that is now in development with subsequent deployment within the next few years. The M121 is fully functional in the ground mode when dismounted from the armored carrier.

Conclusion:

The Baseplate's lack of top surface detail is the only serious set-back to this model.

References and Sources:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/23-90/ch7.htm

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m120.htm

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m120.htm

LTC. Rob Gronovius - United States Army
MAJ. Gino Quintiliani - United States Army

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Mortars in Miniature, Created and Maintained by Kevin Robert Keefe, Copyright © 2001 - 2008.
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