USM120

- U.S. 120mm Mortar, M120 -

Current United States Army Service

The Kit:

This 1/35th scale mode is manufactured in Germany by MR Modellbau and is packaged as the M121, 120mm Mortar. Casting is in white metal and resin with a nicely turned aluminum barrel. Detail on the white metal cast parts is good and the parts clean up nicely with minimal effort. The cast resin Baseplate underside is finely represented however, there is no top side detail. This is due to this same Baseplate being included in MR Modellbau's M1064 carrier conversion and is originally intended to be mounted outside of the carrier with the top-side facing against the outside wall of the tracked vehicle. (Reference the Guest Files page.) There is no Sight Unit provided in the kit.

The Details:

Some part replacements, enhancements and additions were required to convert this model into the M120. The main detail change was the conversion of the kit's M191 Bipod to the M190 Bipod. The replacement legs are made of Plastruct rod and Evergreen card and the spreader chain assembly is constructed out of two strands of sewing thread twisted together and 'sealed' with PVA Glue. The springs are wound fine copper wire and the elevation turn handle is formed from fine wire as well.

The locking and carrying handles on the Baseplate were made from electrical wire with trimmed back insulation, formed and inserted into drilled out mounting holes. The depression was carefully bored out with a sanding drum attached to a Dremel Tool.

Not shown in the pre-paint photos:
The M67 Sight Unit is being represented on the model by the M53 SU as found on the Tamiya M30, 107mm kit.

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.

Painting, Weathering and Finishing:
Painting was accomplished by using acrylic paints and flat coat. Some enamel paints were also used in particular for the flesh tones on the figure. The weathering consisted of Winsor and Newton Oils thinned with Terponoid for the various washes. Pastel weathering chalks were applied for the dusting effects.

Base and Groundwork:

Cut from scrap oak to 4 inches in diameter. It is sanded and stained with an oil based stain and then sealed with multiple coats of polyurethane. There are four felt pads and the completion date is written on the underside of the base.

This consists of 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.

Markings and Decals: (There are no decals supplied with this kit)

Depending on the references used, markings and marking locations on the cannon and bombs seemed to vary slightly.

- 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.

General Mortar 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.


Actual Mortar Data:
Weight: (Pounds)
Cannon (M298): 110.0
Bipod M190 (ground-mount): 70.0
Bipod M191 (carrier-mount): 78.0	Firing Positions	Components
Baseplate: 136.0
M67 Sight Unit: 2.5
Trailer (M1100): 399.0
	M190 Bipod	M191 Bipod
Elevation: (mils)
Elevation: 0710 to 1510
Each turn of elevation crank: 5
	M9 Baseplate	M67 SU
Traverse: (mils)
Right or left from center using traverse wheel: 136
With extension: 316
Each turn of traverse wheel: 5

Rate of Fire: (Rounds Per Minute)	M1100 Trailer
Maximum (1st minute): 16
Sustained (indefinitely): 4

Range: (Meters)	Crew:
Maximum (Charge 10): 7,200	M120: 5
Minimum: 200	M121: 4
Bursting Radius: 75

Ammunition Types and Color:

M57 HE (OD/YEL)	M933 HE (OD/YEL)


M934 HE (OD/YEL)	M68 Smoke, WP (LT GRN/RED)


M929 Smoke, WP (LT GRN/LT RED)	M121 ILLUM (WHT/BLK)

M91 ILLUM (WHT/BLK)	M930 ILLUM (WHT/BLK)	M983 ILLUM (WHT/BLK)

XM984 ERMC	M931 Practice (COLOR UNKNOWN)	M395 PGMM


Fuse Types:

M734 PD	M745 PD	M776 MTSQ	M935 PD


Sources:
LTC. Rob Gronovius - United States Army
MAJ. Gino Quintiliani - United States Army
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/23-90/ch7.htm
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m120.htm

	Mortars in Miniature ...A Scale Model Collection of the "Infantryman's Artillery"...