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Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/35 Scale ‘39-‘45 Series Kit No. 6362; M4 81mm Mortar Carrier - Smart Kit; 421 parts (355 in grey styrene, 62 etched brass, 2 turned aluminum, 1 nylon string, 1 length of copper chain); estimated retail price US$41.95

Advantages: late production mortar carrier variant with M3 body; based on great M2/M2A1 kit with all basic parts carried over, including radios and machine guns

Disadvantages: some modelers may not like use of original cab parts; original tires remain

Rating: Highly Recommended

Recommendation: for all American halftrack fans as well as WWII armor fans

While the M4/M4A1 81mm mortar carrier served a vital need at battalion level in armored infantry units, it was recognized that it suffered from having the mortar oriented to fire backwards and not forwards. While some units such as the 2nd Armored Division corrected this, the Army moved to correct all of the flaws with a new vehicle.

The result was the M21, which was based on the larger M3 body and not the shorter M2. It retained the rear door for use in reloading of ammunition (two fold-down seats blocked easy access for personnel) and added larger ammo racks. A pintle mount for a .50 caliber M2 machine gun was added just behind the mortar. Other late model features such as the removable combat lights and the side and rear stowage racks were added to the vehicle. But as nearly 1,200 M4s had been built, there was not a great need for the new vehicle and production was terminated after only 110 were built.

Each battalion headquarters in tank and armored infantry battalions had a platoon of three mortar carriers and a command halftrack, so there were at least 18 to 27 of these vehicles in an armored division.

DML has now added this kit to their line to compliment the earlier M4 kit (No. 6361)It uses the M2/M2A1 chassis components verbatim but now adds the modified M3 type body with ammunition racks, the rear end with door, and the mortar itself.

The bulk of the kit is identical to all other DML halftrack kits. Four sprues provide the parts for the chassis and drive train, including a complete White engine and transmission. While the hood is molded in one piece, DML has notched the back side as well as the insides of the “cab” sides to permit easy cutting to open them up for display. The tires have caused a lot of controversy as DML molded them with a slight bulge to show underinflated tires under load; this has been a love/hate feature of the kit, but personally I think it is not as bad as some of the “boo birds” have claimed. To each his own on taste.

The bogies and track runs are very impressive, as the idlers and drivers are “slide molded” with respectively thin details and openings. Each bogie assembly consists of 18 parts and is very petite; the mounting suspension provides five more with the track tension adjusters nicely portrayed. The tracks are very interesting: DML molded them in hard styrene plastic in two halves, cut in such a way that the “chain” plate drive tooth guides in the center are represented as they are found on the actual vehicle. Since the tracks were metal with rubber “endless belt” casings vulcanized onto them, this is a neat way to portray it.

The model now comes with only one set of body panels for the rear body. But it also comes with the original M2/M3 cab which does not have slotted screws. While this is a minor glitch, a number of “boo birds” howled about it and DML did eventually provide a modified set of cab parts with the slots present. This cab is not provided with this kit, however. (I suspect ther reason was that the early molds had the water can racks molded in place whereas the corrected ones did not.) The model has the “civilian” style dashboard, so note that the instruments are a brushed aluminum color on preserved/restored vehicles and not the more common black with white numerals.

The winch and roller each come with their own bumper and accouterments, and as the M21 had a winch (whereas the M4 did not) it comes with a section of nylon string and copper chain.

As with the M4 the new body has the ammo lockers molded in place on the floor pan, but the molding is neatly done. However, all of the racks are full so it will take some work to show an “in action” version with some of the bomb stowage tubes missing. The well for mounting the mortar is present as are the covers for the well and the extra frame braces under the floor. The mortar consists of five styrene parts and a two-piece turned aluminum barrel with the “knob” fitting for the baseplate turned on the base section.

This kit includes a complete set of 24 mines with separate etched brass pressure plates and carrying handles. They mount on the sides of the hull, or if the modeler finds this tedious a pair of racks molded with the mines in place are also included. The “ladder” type equipment stowage racks are provided as are the “luggage” racks for the rear of the hull, with an option to present them open or closed.

The kit does provide a generic driver with tanker’s style jacket and helmet. Note he comes with his own seat cushion, but it’s not for use in this vehicle!

Markings and finishing instructions are provided for two vehicles: one unidentified one with a small bumper code of “93" and one from the 2nd Armored Division, Ardennes 1945 (1-15 or a mortar track from the 1st Battalion, 41st Armored Infantry Regiment). Two sheets of Cartograf decals (one for the markings, one for the serial numbers) are provided.

Overall this adds another member of the M2/M3 family and leaves only the short-lived M13 and the M15/M15A1 to complete the American family of halftracks.

Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.

Cookie Sewell

Sprue Breakout:

A 40 Chassis and suspension

B 28 Armored cab assembly

C 29 M49 mount and front bumper assemblies

D 48x2 Bogie assembly and wheels

E 7 Clear styrene parts

H 2 Front grille (open/closed)

J 37x2 Machine guns and radio set

J 14x2 Mine racks with 12 mines

L 8 Driver figure

R 37 M21 body parts

T 5 81mm mortar parts

W 8 Slide molded drivers and idlers

MA 62 Etched brass

MB 1 Nylon string

MC 1 Copper chain

MD 2 Turned aluminum mortar tube

- Cookie Sewell

1/35 injection plastic kit with decals, metal mortar tube, driver figure and photo etch

In 1944 the US introduced the M21 mortar motor carriage (MMC). This vehicle was based on the widely used M3 half-track and has several improvements that addressed problems that front line units had identified with its predecessor the M4 mortar carrier. As before it was armed with the M1 81mm mortar but now the mortar was fitted onto the longer M3 half-track and was positioned on the strengthened floor so that it could fire forward. This allowed the troops to quickly respond to enemy action. By comparison the earlier M4 had the mortar mounted to fire over the back of the half-track, with the intention that it would normally be removed from the half-track and fired from the ground. The M21 MMC also had its own unique layout in the fighting compartment, pedestal mounted MG, and had mines stored on racks fitted to the side plates. During WWII the M21 MMC served with both US and Free French units.

CONTENTS

This new release is in the Smart Kit format and complements Dragon’s existing range of US WWII half-tracks including its predecessor the M4 mortar carrier which is visibly distinct. New parts are provided for the fighting compartment and ammunition racks while other parts are shared with Dragon’s other US half-tracks. The open fighting compartment with the mortar offers considerable opportunities for adding all the stowage US crews carried.

The gatefold instructions have 16 steps of line drawings that are clearly laid out. Photo etch is provided for the armoured front grills, rear mud flaps, cab visors and the windscreen wipers. New optional PE is provided for the mines stored in the side racks. Turned metal is used for the mortar tube and with the end drilled out should look really impressive. Metal chain is included for the winch. The few injection marks are well hidden and clean up of this kit’s part should be very quick. The kits design is such that an impressive kit can be built out of the box by most modelers, while it also provides a solid basis for super detailing.

MODULAR APPROACH

The kit is built has three main modules, each of which is based around one large piece. These are the running chassis; the forward cabin and front panels; and the rear fighting-compartment with the mortar. These three modules come together in the last step. This approach is helpful for painting the interior and suspension detail and suits building the kit over a couple of modeling sessions.

The fighting compartment is where most of this kit’s new parts are found. It is based around a large tub, which is new tooling to reflect the unique layout of the M21. It has integrated detail for two seat squabs and the floor hatches, while separate parts are provided for the mortar round racks (which have a full set of rounds cast in place, which surprised me), and internal fuel tanks. The SCR radio rack is nicely detailed and the 0.5 M2 MG which was fitted to the rear on the M21 is mounted on a small pedestal and has an open muzzle. Other small detail, such as the aerial mount, seat backrests and D handles, are crisply tooled separate parts. The new rear panel has a door that can be modeled either open or closed.The mortar tube is assembled from two pieces of turned metal and has separate crisply molded support arms and center connector.

The new side armor plates have the layout specific to the M21 MMC and include plenty of detail on both sides including the upper lip, bolt heads and panel gaps and hinges. New optional parts are provided for the mines stored in the side racks where each mine is separate and has PE for the handle and outward face. Alternatively the racks can be quickly fitted using thesingle piece loaded mine racks which are from the M2 and are crisply cast. Above each rack is a ladder frame for attaching stowage. The rear luggage racks can be assembled folded up or down and both options have crisp tooling. The rear tow hook is included.

The chassis has considerable detail and will be familiar to many modelers. Features include a one-piece exhaust pipe and muffler, transmission shaft, differential housing, and the basic engine block with radiator, sump, fan and gasket heads. The front tires have the bulge indicative of bearing the engine’s weight and the suspension springs, brakes and axle ends behind them are replicated. For the rear tracks the sprocket is slide-molded and the tracks are injection molded and built from two halves, which join down the center so that no join marks are visible when looking side on.

The forward module is based around a large piece, which has the cabin floor, forward mudguards, running board and divide with the engine bay. The cab and running board have the anti-skid nicely detailed and the separate driving controls are crisp. The cab doors can modeled open or closed and the PE visors can be left up or down, and the upper half of the doors can be assembled folded down. The brackets for the jerry cans are integrated into the can halves. Several tools such as a spade and axe are fitted to the front and are crisply molded with integrated brackets.

The engine bay hood is molded closed, but it would be possible to cut along the panel recesses to open it up and reveal the engine. The front grill can be built open (with options of a PE or plastic) or closed. The front window armor can be assembled open or closed and the windscreen is clear plastic, as are the lens for the headlamps. On the front bumper there is a winch with chain and string to depict the cable etc.

The driver is assembled from seven parts (traditional injection plastic design) and wears a M1 helmet.

DECALS

The kit includes two Cartograf decal sheets of which one contains the markings unique to this kit while the other contains generic white tactical and registration markings.

The painting guide outlines two M21 MMCs each with four view profiles and a colour side profile on the box. Both are US Army vehicles from 1944 which are painted solid olive drab and have white US Army stars. One M21 is from 2nd Armored Division in Ardennes (Belgium) 1945 and has yellow side marking ‘1-15’ plus distinctive vehicle number markings. The other is from an unidentified unit on the Western Front and has basic US Star markings and a bumper number. The generic markings can be used to depict the M21 in the box art.

RECOMMENDATION

Dragon’s new M21 Mortar Motor Carriage has considerable intrinsic appeal and with its sharp tooling and metal mortar barrel will make an impressive model. It has broad appeal and will be rewarding out of the box, while offering considerable scope for dioramas or customizing with crew stowage etc. Definitely recommended.

-Neville Lord

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