In Box Review of Fine Molds 1/35th Scale
Imperial Japanese Army Type 97-81mm Infantry Mortar & Crew
Kit no. MG-05
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 200x
Out of production
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 200x
Out of production
HISTORY:
The Type 97 81 mm infantry mortar was a Japanese mortar used primary by Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. The Type 97 designation was given to this gun as it was accepted in the year 2597 of the Japanese calendar (1937). It entered service in 1937.
Japanese infantry units often are equipped with 81-mm mortars. The Type 97 81 mm mortar is very commonly used and is referred to by the Japanese as an "Infantry Gun", which breaks down into 3 sections for transport. The markings which appear on the base of the barrel read "97 model small trench mortar.
The modified version used by the Imperial Japanese Navy with designation Type 3 mortar was used by naval land forces and as anti-submarine weapon on escort ships beginning in 1943.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Place of origin: Empire of Japan
Used by: Imperial Japanese Army
Wars: World War II
No. built: 1238 produced by late 1942 (total wartime production unknown)
Mass: 66 kg (145 lb.)
Length: 1.4 m (56 in)
Barrel length: 1.26 m (49.5 in)
Width: 0.67 m (26.5 in) (baseplate)
Shell weight: Light HE: 3.3 kg (7 lb. 4 oz), Heavy HE: 6.5 kg (14 lb. 5 oz)
Caliber: 81 mm (3.2 in)
Action: Manual
Elevation: +45 to +85 degrees
Muzzle velocity: 196 m/s (643 ft/s)
Effective firing range: Light HE: 3 km (1.9 mi), Heavy HE: 1.2 km (0.75 mi)
The Type 97 81 mm infantry mortar was a Japanese mortar used primary by Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. The Type 97 designation was given to this gun as it was accepted in the year 2597 of the Japanese calendar (1937). It entered service in 1937.
Japanese infantry units often are equipped with 81-mm mortars. The Type 97 81 mm mortar is very commonly used and is referred to by the Japanese as an "Infantry Gun", which breaks down into 3 sections for transport. The markings which appear on the base of the barrel read "97 model small trench mortar.
The modified version used by the Imperial Japanese Navy with designation Type 3 mortar was used by naval land forces and as anti-submarine weapon on escort ships beginning in 1943.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Place of origin: Empire of Japan
Used by: Imperial Japanese Army
Wars: World War II
No. built: 1238 produced by late 1942 (total wartime production unknown)
Mass: 66 kg (145 lb.)
Length: 1.4 m (56 in)
Barrel length: 1.26 m (49.5 in)
Width: 0.67 m (26.5 in) (baseplate)
Shell weight: Light HE: 3.3 kg (7 lb. 4 oz), Heavy HE: 6.5 kg (14 lb. 5 oz)
Caliber: 81 mm (3.2 in)
Action: Manual
Elevation: +45 to +85 degrees
Muzzle velocity: 196 m/s (643 ft/s)
Effective firing range: Light HE: 3 km (1.9 mi), Heavy HE: 1.2 km (0.75 mi)
THE KIT:
Fine Molds is based in Roslyn, Pa.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped, generic white box, that has a hinged lid with a locking tab on it.
The box art is of a glued-on paper-slip. It shows a black and white illustration of a Japanese soldier, who is wearing a leather helmet with goggles around it.
It says: 1:35 Scale Imperial Japanese Army 81mm Infantry Mortar & Crew. Japanese Armor King.com, [email protected]
The front of the box has another glued-on paper-slip that says: CAUTION !! This kit contains small parts and is not recommended for children under 15 years of age. Parental discretion advised !
Fine Molds is based in Roslyn, Pa.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped, generic white box, that has a hinged lid with a locking tab on it.
The box art is of a glued-on paper-slip. It shows a black and white illustration of a Japanese soldier, who is wearing a leather helmet with goggles around it.
It says: 1:35 Scale Imperial Japanese Army 81mm Infantry Mortar & Crew. Japanese Armor King.com, [email protected]
The front of the box has another glued-on paper-slip that says: CAUTION !! This kit contains small parts and is not recommended for children under 15 years of age. Parental discretion advised !
At one end of the box is a third paper-slip that says: Japanese Armor King.com, [email protected], Ted Dyer Inc. P.O. Box 1030, Roslyn, PA. 19001.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 4 light-grey resin crewmen, that are mostly assembled, with their field gear on their belts, a rifle, samurai sword, 3 daggers, a mortar round and ammo box, packaged in a zip-locked cello bag. (14 parts). One dagger has a lot of flash on it
The kit holds 4 light-grey resin crewmen, that are mostly assembled, with their field gear on their belts, a rifle, samurai sword, 3 daggers, a mortar round and ammo box, packaged in a zip-locked cello bag. (14 parts). One dagger has a lot of flash on it
A second zip-locked cello bag holds parts of the mortar (9 parts)
The instructions consist of a single-sheet, printed on both sides and folded twice to fit the box.
The face side shows a repeat of the cover art of the box.
It says: In order to complete this kit, you will need to scratch build 2 grab handles, 1 tie rod and 4 gun shield braces. If you can’t handle that, you shouldn’t be building this resin kit !
Resin kits should be washed with WARM (NOT HOT) soapy water and soft toothbrush for painting. CAUTION: This kit contains small parts and is not recommended for children under 15 years of age. Parental discretion advised.
The face side shows a repeat of the cover art of the box.
It says: In order to complete this kit, you will need to scratch build 2 grab handles, 1 tie rod and 4 gun shield braces. If you can’t handle that, you shouldn’t be building this resin kit !
Resin kits should be washed with WARM (NOT HOT) soapy water and soft toothbrush for painting. CAUTION: This kit contains small parts and is not recommended for children under 15 years of age. Parental discretion advised.
The other side of the sheet shows one large assembly drawing. It says: Officer is posed to be on a hill or a mound, overlooking enemy positions and adjusting rounds. Cut the threaded shaft to 1/8” in length. Sometimes the crank gets broken. Make a new one.
There are extra rounds and a piece of threaded stock. You finish! New, honorable model builder, do research on a color! Assho. . .Assho. !!! and a color illustration of a Japanese officer shown 3 times bowing.
There are extra rounds and a piece of threaded stock. You finish! New, honorable model builder, do research on a color! Assho. . .Assho. !!! and a color illustration of a Japanese officer shown 3 times bowing.
The detail is excellent. Only problem is the extra stuff that has to be done.
Recommended to experienced modelers.
Recommended to experienced modelers.