Kit, DML 6361, M4 81mm Mortar Carrier Smart Kit.

DRAGON MODELS LIMITED


Product Specifications.

6361, M4 81mm Mortar Carrier Smart Kit. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit. Contains: 367 styrene parts (including seven clear), 24 etched brass parts, two turned aluminum parts, three decal/markings schemes and eight pages of instructions in 16 steps.


Introduction.

Hot on the heels of the recent M2/M2A1 kit, DML has released this oft-requested version of the ubiquitous US WW2 half-track, the M4 81mm Mortar Motor Carriage. This new kit contains nearly every part seen in the original M2/M2A1 except for the chain and string needed to complete the winch. To make the mortar carrier, a total of 38 new styrene parts are given, along with a two-part turned aluminum mortar tube. In addition, a styrene figure of a driver is provided, as well as (naturally) a new set of decals for three vehicles.


There have been no apparent modifications to the original parts. So, those modelers who did not feel the detail on the screw heads was adequate, and who did not especially appreciate the weighted front tires, will probably shake their heads; none of this bothers me to any degree. However, several anomalies, having to do with the markings and the specific version of the mortar carrier provided in the kit are rather vexing, to say the least.


Note that portions of this review are lifted directly from that of the M2/M2A1 kit, previously posted here on ToT.


Tracks.

The track assemblies for each side are split into two injection-molded styrene parts, longitudinally; this provides for crisp tread detail on the faces of the continuous “rubber-bands” that equipped this type. The inner surface also has nicely-rendered guide chain details.


Suspension System.

The suspension system of the M2/M3 series features drive sprockets and idler wheels with delicate “skeletal-style” rims and hubs; accurately reproducing these items are not conducive to the traditional styrene plastic injection-molding process. But, using the so-called “slide molding” technique in an extremely innovative manner has resulted in drive sprockets and idler wheels that accurately mirror the prototype to a remarkable degree. The remaining road-wheels and return rollers are traditionally-rendered as inner and outer halves and include crisp tire, rim and rim-bolt details.


The bogie units assemble from about ten more parts each and this break-down allows for an excellent amount of finesse and detail. The modeler may wish to add the oval-shaped hole to part D-32, a round hole to part D-21 and some bolt-head details to part D-34, as per reference photos. The idler wheel adjustment arms and other items are separate parts, while the spring mount unit represents the later style with a large outer coil-spring unit over a tube that housed a smaller inner coil-spring unit; drive shafts and associated hubs finish the assembly. The final item in this area is the exhaust pipe and muffler assembly; a separate end to the pipe is fitted in order to properly depict the opening.


The conventional front wheels feature tires that are “weighted”; they include complete inner and outer wheel-hub details (but no tire inflation valve), brake unit details, drive shaft, axles, steering linkages and leaf spring units. Reviews of the original kit have pointed out that the “weighted” tires do not properly represent those commonly seen in use; while this is certainly a valid point (and a selling point for the after-market folks), personally I don’t feel it’s too much to be upset about. DMLs box now bills them as being suitable for a vehicle with a “heavy load”.


Chassis Frame.

This is a single-piece item that has some nice bolt detail on the lower face, as well as the bottom of the engine/transmission unit molded in place. There is a very basic, multi-part White 160AX engine and radiator that gets fitted to this as well as the front and rear suspension system, drive train, rear bumper and the associated tow pintle.


As per the original M2/M2A1 release, the front bumper is available as two options: with roller or with winch. The winch features parts for the drive line connection, and a styrene hook; the associated cable (represented with nylon string) and the metal chain seen in the original kit is not included, so if wishing to add the winch (more on that later), these items will have to be sourced elsewhere. The frame for the roller is topped by etched brass plates and styrene hooks; the same hooks are fitted to the winch-equipped bumper.


Superstructure.

The front end of this vehicle features a multi-part cab enclosure. It has optional opened or closed wind-shield armor view-ports rendered in etched brass (the entire assembly can be shown raised or lowered as well, to include the rods that keep it in place); a clear styrene wind-shield and frame as well as etched brass wiper blades completes this assembly. The separate doors feature separate upper parts, also with etched brass view-port covers. The door opening handles are (unfortunately) molded in place, both on the inner and outer surfaces; these assemblies can be depicted opened or closed.


The engine access lids are molded closed, although they have scribed lines on their inner faces to aid the modeler who wants to open them up and detail the engine. The characteristic “T”-shaped closure handles are also molded in place and seem to my eye to be rather anemic. There are four distinct styrene parts that are to be used to depict the armored nose section with the radiator cooling slats. H-1 and H-2 do not have either the hole for the winch drive-shaft or the so-called “combat” head-lamp mounts; H-2 is opened up and is designed to receive the etched brass slats, while H-1 has the slats molded closed. Parts H-3 and H-4 are designed to mount the combat head-lamps and have an opening for the winch drive-shaft; H-4 is opened to receive the etched brass slats, while H-3 is closed.


All of this gets attached to the main driver’s cockpit floor/fender unit, which includes a separate battery housing. There are some ejector pin marks under the fenders that the modeler may wish to address, but under normal viewing conditions they won’t be seen; I will texture the area with some Liquidtex gel to depict a mud build-up. The floor of the driver’s cockpit features molded-on non-skid texture as well as his foot pedals; certainly in this day and age the latter should be separate parts.


Externally, there are a pair of multi-part jerry cans that include molded-on strap details, separate handles and two styles of caps; both apparently represent the types that carried water, as opposed to fuel or lubricants. Optional head-lamp configurations are provided for the “early-style” or the “combat-style” mounts, both of which feature clear lenses; the early one actually has a bulb depicted inside. A shovel and pick finish the area on the driver’s side.


The three main exterior body panels are holdovers from the previous kit, and a new rear panel with the separate door seen on this version is given on one of the three new sprues. Neither of the two side panels comes with separate ammunition stowage compartment lids, although these items have new interior detail showing the ends of mortar round packing tubes. However, there are scribed lines inside to assist the modeler who would open them up. The side panels have fittings to mount the internal skate rail for the machine-guns; in the case of this type, only one .30 cal. MG was specified, although anything the crew could scrounge up would be mounted to add firepower. A new main floor and fuel tank part is given, which is configured to mount the mortar; the new inserts that fit below this part on either side are there so that the mine racks can be dispensed with, as was common on the early M4. The old side panels are also included, so the modeler will have the ability to mount the one-piece external mine racks. The racks are very well-done and include the mines already molded in place; the mines themselves are nicely-detailed and positioned at odd angles for a natural look. There are no empty mine racks, but using some styrene strip and sheet, the modeler should easily be able to make his own if wishing to alter the model’s appearance.


The rear body panel features crisply-molded tail lamp details, (I already mentioned the new separate door) as well as new multi-part “steps” that include etched brass mud flaps. These were modified so that the rear door can be opened wide. There are two folded tripods for the .30 cal. M1919A4 MGs, as well as two for the .50 cal M2 HMG; all include etched brass mounting straps. Only one .30 cal. tripod is for use, so the others can be consigned to the spares box.


Interior.

Returning to the driver’s cockpit, there is a nice instrument panel/dash-board unit as well as separate control levers, steering wheel, and a small fire extinguisher. The seats in this area have nice cloth texture, as do those in the crew compartment. However, the bases for the driver’s cockpit seats do not precisely match reference photos, while the cushions themselves do not overhang the bases as they should. There are two radio fits (SCR-510 and SCR-508), each with its own antenna mount (the modeler must add the antenna mast itself, using references).


Regarding the ammunition lockers, it should be noted that although their internal access lids are separate parts, they cannot be depicted opened up as provided, unless they are extensively modified by the modeler. This is rather puzzling and has not yet been addressed by any of the after-market folks.


The various machine-guns, their ammunition boxes and their mountings, as well as the radio sets, are supplied on two identical sprues. This gives the modeler plenty of spare items for his stash. The machine-guns themselves are created using slide-molds; this means that the bore-ends are already opened up, with the .30 cal. MGs also having the slot at their bores, and the .50 cal. MGs having detailed interiors to their receiver housings. The .50s also have separate receiver covers, but these are marred by having the cocking handle molded with them, which is inaccurate, especially if they are to be depicted opened up; separate grips finish these assemblies. There are two styles of cradles and ammunition boxes for the .30 cal MGs, as well as spare “clamp-less” shovels, axes and picks on the two sprues marked as “J”.


A seven-piece driver figure is provided, molded in the conventional manner. He is well-detailed and there is also an extra “crushed” seat cushion supplied to better fit his posterior into position.


Mortar and Ammunition Stowage.

As I have previously alluded, the 81mm mortar consists of styrene parts and a very nicely-represented tube made from two turned aluminum parts. The walls of the tube are commendably thin as a result. A separate base plate to mount the piece on the ground is provided and shown as an option in the instructions. The ammunition stowage arrangement in the fighting compartment represents that seen on a pilot vehicle, which included two cells, each with eight rounds situated on either side of the bipod; these were removed and the adjacent seats re-located on the production vehicle.


The ammunition stowage consists of inserts for the side compartments, each completely filled with packing tubes that feature nicely-detailed end-caps. Likewise, the cells in the fighting compartment are also filled with these tubes, again with nice detail on their caps. The advantage here is ease of assembly; the disadvantage is that if wishing to depict fully- or partially-depleted cells, some scratch-building will be required.


By far my biggest complaint with this kit is that it does not provide parts for the M4A1 (the M4 was eventually re-classified as “Limited Standard”). These would include a reinforced (and raised) base-plate and a plate that allowed for wider traverse of the mortar tube. These items, along with a pair of external stowage lockers on either side of the rear door and a shelf below it, along with (possibly) the winch, are what made this an M4A1. However, the good news is that all of these items can be scratch-built by any competent modeler combining sheet styrene, some simple tools, and fairly unsophisticated techniques.


Molding, Fit and Engineering.

A dry fit of the major components revealed no major (or minor) fit issues. In addition, I have built about 90% of my M2, which is essentially what is given in this kit, and encountered no serious fit issues. Anywhere it mattered, there were no visible ejector pin marks; there were no shrink marks whatsoever.


Accuracy and Details.

With the exceptions as noted throughout this review, this kit accurately depicts the stated subject matter. I have no completely reliable 1/35th-scale plans to compare the parts to, so I had to rely on photographs and reduced-size reproductions of US Army Ordnance plans in reference number 11. Everything looks fine to me. In sorting through the cited references I have gleaned the following information, which I feel will be useful to a modeler. Any misinterpretation of the references is solely my responsibility. Here’s what I believe is “the deal”:

• M4 pilot model: carried a total of 112 rounds and the mortar was intended to be fired from the ground, so it came with the standard base-plate, fixed to brackets for travel; tactical doctrine called for it to be fired from within the vehicle only as a last resort. One pilot model was built, and the kit best represents that specific vehicle “out-of-the-box”; partial markings for it are supplied.

• M4 production model: dispensed with two cells of eight rounds (which reduced the total to 96) on either side of the mortar’s bipod; this allowed the relocation of the two adjacent crewmen’s seats. The mortar had a re-designed base-plate/mount bolted to the floor, so it could be fired from within the vehicle. 571 were built; the kit will need some (very easy) modifications to build this type.

• M4A1 production model: the traverse of the mortar was improved by mounting the bipod on a rectangular plate that had spaced perforations arranged in an arc for inserting the legs, and raising the base plate, as well as changes to the sight. New stowage lockers were fitted on the rear body panel, either side of the door, with a new shelf fitted laterally between them; it also appears to have been the intention to fit the winch as well as mine racks to this type. 600 were built, and while the kit will need more work to resemble this type, the modifications could easily be done with standard tools and styrene sheet.

• M4A1 field modification: the 2nd Armored Division modified a number of their M4A1s so the tube was re-orientated to fire forward. This will take much more work, but DML eases it somewhat by providing markings for one!


Instructions.

These are in the traditional line drawing format; a check indicated that there were no issues in this regard, other than those previously mentioned.


Decals and Markings Information.

The decals, as usual supplied by Italy’s Cartograf, are well-printed with crisp edges and fine color registration. They depict three vehicles as follows:

• “Prowler”, unidentified unit, USA 1944.
• USA 4015367, unidentified unit, USA.
• Yellow 1-32, 2nd Armored Division, Belgium 1945.

The first scheme is incomplete due to the missing blue-drab registration numbers, USA W-4015367. The second scheme is nothing more than the inclusion of “USA 4015367” using WHITE registration numbers! The third scheme is accurate as far as it goes, but NOT for what is provided in the box; these markings are for a 2nd Armored Division M4A1 that was modified to have the mortar tube firing forward. Therefore the provided schemes are either incomplete or incorrect. In defense of the kit’s designers, within the cited references, I could find no photos of in-service M4s or of an un-modified M4A1, to use as the basis for marking this vehicle.


Conclusion.

I can’t help but feel a bit disappointed in this kit, especially regarding the specific configuration and how it relates to the provided markings. The remainder is just as well-done as the original kit, which was quite nice. Of course, the modeler can buy this kit and easily build an M2 or M2A1 and keep the nifty 81mm mortar for another project. Or, with varying degrees of extra work and research, build a proper production M4 or M4A1.


Recommended.


Frank V. De Sisto


References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to:

1. “Half-Track, a History of American Semi-Tracked Vehicles”, Presidio, by R.P. Hunnicutt.
2. “Halftracks”, Baron Publications, by J. Steuard & R. Fines.
3. “US Half-Tracks, Their Design and Development”, Darlington Productions, by D.R. Haugh.
4. “Toadman’s Half-Track Car M2A1 Photo detail CD”, Toadman’s Tank Pictures CD-16, by C. Hughes.
5. “M3 Infantry Half-Track 1940-73”, Osprey New Vanguard 11, by S. Zaloga.
6. “US Half-Tracks of World War II”, Osprey Vanguard 31, by S. Zaloga.
7. “US Half-Tracks in Combat 1941-1945”, Concord 7031, by S. Zaloga.
8. “US Halftracks of World War Two”, Tanks Illustrated 13, by S. Zaloga.
9. “M3 Half-Track in Action”, Squadron 2034, by J. Mesko.
10. “M.3 Half-Track APC”, Armour in Profile 17, by B.H. Vanderveen.
11. “American Half-Tracks of World War 2”, Bellona, by C. Ellis & P. Chamberlain.
12. “M2/M3 Half-Track”, Squadron Walk Around 5704, by J. Mesko.


DML kits are available from retail and mail-order shops. For more details see their web-site at: www.dragonmodelsltd.com.


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