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- U.S. 81mm Mortar,
M252
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Current Issue |
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Medium Extended Range Mortar |
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The Kit: |
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Cast in white metal,
this is a 1/35th scale Dartmoor Military Models
product. There were a few very minor casting flaws found
and the ones that I did find, cleaned up easily.
The muzzle needed some interior cleaning that I did with a de-burring bit
mounted in my motor tool. |
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The Details: |
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The only additional
details that are a must and are not included with the kit, are the retaining
strap and mounting hardware to the bipod. I added this feature by using thin
strips of drafting tape and photo-etch brass 'hardware'. My example's traversing
rod wasn't cast very well, so I cut it out and replaced it with a piece of
styrene rod. |
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The
Extras: |
All the items shown came with the kit. (As well as
3 beautifully cast figures).
The mortar bombs are excellently cast and are just about right on as far
as scale goes. I relied on the kit's instructions as a painting guide
for the bombs.
I added the harness to the backpack from thin strips of drafting tape
with either styrene plastic or photo-etch brass 'buckles'.
The rifle... This is just a beauty. Cleanly cast and all that will be
needed to enhance this up is to add the sling and it's mounting
'hardware'. It is a replica of the Italian Short Rifle, 6.5mm M91/38. |
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Base and
Groundwork: |
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This base is
pine and is 3-1/2 inches in diameter. It is stained and sealed with multiple coats of Polyurethane. Sculptamold
mixed with white glue was added for the groundwork. Dry Sculptamold was
lightly sprinkled on top for a ground 'texture', and the boot prints were
pressed in before the Sculptamold had fully dried. I added
dried-flowers for the bushes. |
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Painting, Weathering and Finishing: |
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PollyS/PollyScale Acrylic
metal primer, 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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The M252 is an adaption of the British
L16A2,
and is found in mortar platoons of infantry battalions. The object at the end of
the tube is a blast attenuator device which is fitted to further protect the
crew from the effects of the muzzle flash. This weapon is of a British design
with Canadian built components and has American modifications. Truly an
international weapon system.
The M252 in U.S. Army service is transportable in the self-propelled mode by
the M125 series of fully tracked vehicles based on the M113 Armored Personnel
Carrier. In U.S. Marine Corps service, the M252 is carried in the LAV(M),
8-wheeled Light Armored Vehicle. Both vehicles providing 'under armor' operation
and excellent mobility of this weapon. |
