Manufactured by the White Motor Co., the M4A1, a derivative of the M2 Half-Track Personnel Carrier, entered US Army service in May of 1943 with 600 vehicles being accepted into service. The M4A1 had improved suspension and had a higher combat weight over the M4 MMC. It was the first US Half-Track Mortar Carrier designed to allow for sustained main weapon firing from within the vehicle although, as delivered, the mortar still pointed towards the rear of the vehicle. The M4A1 provided for greater main weapon traversing, 600 mils vs. 130 mils. It was fitted with a front bumper winch which enabled it to self-extract itself. It served throughout World War II mostly (if not entirely) in the European Theatre of Operations. Had the numbers of M4 and M4A1 diminished sufficiently prior to the end of hostilities, it would have most likely been replaced by the M21 MMC. (When 10th Armored Division arrived in theatre in 1944, it arrived with the forward-firing M21 MMC.)

The Kit:
This is the 1/72nd scale kit from Hasegawa of Japan. Hasegawa a number of years ago produced a dozen or so armor kits however, the company is better known for their line of scale model aircraft subjects.

This model kit is very basic. Interior detail being basically non-existent... only the seats, steering wheel and dash board being included. It is molded in light grey styrene plastic with the exception of the black soft vinyl used for the tracks. Assembly and fit were sufficient with the parts being rather thick for this scale as can be expected. I had difficulty with track/wheel alignment and the tension of the track broke off the drive and idler wheels. I installed brass rod 'axles' into corresponding holes drilled with a pin vise for added strength. Exterior detail was good or at least present. Profile accuracy was not checked but it does look to be sufficient.

Decals being shown were provided with the kit with the exception of the white aligning stripe on the mortar tube. Kit decals were a little thick with some excess carrier film but were well printed. (A light sanding with very fine sandpaper removed a very slight yellowing.) They were applied to the model over an overall spray coating of Future Floor Wax. Decals reacted well to a couple of thin applications of Solvaset setting solution and once this had thoroughly dried, another thin coating of Future Floor Wax was applied by airbrush.

The Details and The Extras:
Due to the sparseness of the interior details, most of what is lacking had to be scratch built. The following photos of the unpainted model will show the details that were added. Basically, anything not gray (and black tracks) was outside of the kit contents. Not my best effort by far and I really struggled building this model. (Some minor additions and deletions have occurred between the assembly and final painting.)

The tarps on the front fenders and the powered winch cover were fashioned from QuikPlastic two-part epoxy. I used drafting tape for the straps and bits of styrene for the 'buckles'. Other items came from my spare parts drawer and some are from ROCO Minitank items in 1/87th scale. They seemed to fit in ok with this scale.

The windshield was not provided with the kit. It is two-part and was cut to size from clear styrene. It is fixed into place with a couple of drops of Microscale "Kristal Kleer".

The Base and Groundwork:
The base was cut to 3in x 4.5in x 3/4in thick (76mm x 114mm x 19mm) and is of scrap pine with the edges being routered with a Dremel Tool. The wood was then stained and sealed with multiple coats of Polyurethane. Prior to the application of the groundwork, the sides of the base were masked off with a lo-tak drafting tape.

The groundwork is a mix of Sculptamold, water and white glue and this was applied and contoured and then set aside to dry thoroughly. Stones from my yard were pressed into and white glued into place prior to the mix setting. Static grass and various other landscaping materials including the dry tree root were white glued into place. The bushes are from Woodland Scenics and are made of a foam type material. Hudson and Allen Pine Boughs were scattered about as well. The tree root had a length of brass rod inserted to provide some strength and stability and was also white glued into place.

The nameplate was created in Adobe Illustrator, covered with Avery clear Laminate Sheet and is fixed to the wood base with double sided tape.

Painting, Weathering and Finishing:
PollyS/PollyScale and Model Master Acrylic Paints were used entirely throughout this project. Winsor and Newton Oils thinned with Turpenoid were used for the washes.

Final Assembly:
I glued both the vehicle and figure (with brass rod inserted) to the base with white glue. When dry, PollyScale Acrylic Flat Coat was then applied overall to the finished subject. Microscale "Kristal Kleer" was applied to the headlights, taillights and dash board gages for that 'glass' look. The masking tape was removed and the nameplate was added.

*Actual Data:

The M4A1 had a crew of six.

PRIMARY ARMAMENT:
TYPE	MOUNT	AMMUNITION CAPACITY	TRAVERSE	ELEVATION
81mm Mortar M1	Mount, M1	96 rounds	600 mils	+80° to +40° (Manual)
For Mortar data, go here...
SECONDARY ARMAMENT:
.50cal M2HB Machine Gun	Flexible on Skate Rail	400 rounds	360° (Manual)	Manual
...or...
.30cal M1919A4 Machine Gun	Flexible on Skate Rail	2000 rounds	360° (Manual)	Manual

ARMOR:
Bolted Assembly, Face-Hardened Steel
LOCATION	THICKNESS	ANGLE FROM VERTICAL
Radiator Louvers	.25in	26°
	64cm
Windshield Cover	.50in	25°
	1.3cm
Sides	.25in	0°
	64cm
Rear	.25in	0°
	64cm
Hood (Top)	.25in	83°
	64cm

AUTOMOTIVE:
Engine	White 160AX; 6 cylinder, 4 cycle, in-line gasoline
Transmission	230L Transmission Spicer 3461 constant mesh, 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Horsepower	Net: 147@3000rpm	Torque	Net: 325 ft-lb (440.7Nm)@1200rpm
Fuel capacity	60gal / 230L	Steering	Steering Wheel

SUSPENSION:
TYPE	ROAD WHEELS	TRACK RETURN ROLLERS
Front: Semi-elliptic longitudinal leaf spring	Front: Steel ventilated disc	1 dual/track
Rear: Vertical volute spring	Rear: 1 bogie/track; 4 dual/bogie
Drive Sprockets	Idlers	Shock Absorbers
18-tooth front drive	Spring-loaded at rear of track	On front wheels

TRACK:
Center Guide Band Type
WIDTH	PITCH	PITCHES PER TRACK	TRACK GROUND CONTACT LENGTH
12in	4in	58	46.75in
30cm	10cm		118.7cm

*Additional data can be obtained from The AFV Database.

Wartime Deployment: Assigned to Battalion Headquarters Companies in tank and armored infantry battalions, each company had a platoon of three mortar carriers and a command halftrack. The total vehicle compliment could range between 18 to 27 vehicles per armored division.
	TM 9-710	FM 23-91

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