In Box Review of Zvezda 1/35th Scale
Soviet 120mm Mortar With Crew
Kit no. 3503
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2012
Out of production.
I paid $8.98 for my kit years ago.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2012
Out of production.
I paid $8.98 for my kit years ago.
HISTORY:
The M1943 Mortar or 120-PM-43 (Russian: 120-Полевой Миномёт-43) or the 120-mm mortar Model 1943, also known as the SAMOVAR, is a Soviet 120 millimeter calibre smoothbore mortar first introduced in 1943 as a modified version of the M1938 mortar. It virtually replaced the M1938 as the standard weapon for mortar batteries in all Soviet infantry battalions by the late 1980s, though the armies of the Warsaw Pact utilised both in their forces.
This muzzle-loading mortar can be easily broken down into three parts – barrel, bipod and baseplate – for movement over short distances or towed by a GAZ-66 truck on a two-wheel tubular carriage. The baseplate mounting permits all-azimuth firing, however as with most Soviet mortars it was difficult to turn rapidly over a wide traverse. It could accommodate small-angle shifts of up to 6 degrees without having to shift the baseplate though.
The 2B11 is a 120 mm mortar developed by the Soviet Union in 1981 and subsequently fielded in the Soviet Army. The basic design for the 2B11 was taken from the classic Model 1943 120 mm mortar, and incorporated changes to make the mortar less heavy. It is a part of the 2S12 Sani. It is being supplemented in Russia by the new 2B24 82mm mortar. The 2B11 has proliferated to other countries primarily as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Mortar
Place of origin: Soviet Union
In service: 1981–present
Wars: Soviet–Afghan War, Russo-Ukrainian War
Designed: 1981
Manufacturer: Motovilikhinskiye Zavody Special Engineering and Metallurgy JSC
Mass: 210 kg (460 lb)
Crew: 5
Shell: HE, smoke, illuminating and incendiary
Shell weight: 16.8 kg (37 lb)
Caliber: 120 mm (4.7 in)
Carriage: 2F510 2x1 wheeled transport chassis, GAZ-66 4×4 truck (prime mover)
Elevation: 45–80°
Traverse: ±5° (without bipod repositioning)
Rate of fire: 15 rounds per minute
Effective firing range: Minimum: 0.46 km (0.29 mi)
Maximum: 7.18 km (4.46 mi)
Sights: MPM-44M
The M1943 Mortar or 120-PM-43 (Russian: 120-Полевой Миномёт-43) or the 120-mm mortar Model 1943, also known as the SAMOVAR, is a Soviet 120 millimeter calibre smoothbore mortar first introduced in 1943 as a modified version of the M1938 mortar. It virtually replaced the M1938 as the standard weapon for mortar batteries in all Soviet infantry battalions by the late 1980s, though the armies of the Warsaw Pact utilised both in their forces.
This muzzle-loading mortar can be easily broken down into three parts – barrel, bipod and baseplate – for movement over short distances or towed by a GAZ-66 truck on a two-wheel tubular carriage. The baseplate mounting permits all-azimuth firing, however as with most Soviet mortars it was difficult to turn rapidly over a wide traverse. It could accommodate small-angle shifts of up to 6 degrees without having to shift the baseplate though.
The 2B11 is a 120 mm mortar developed by the Soviet Union in 1981 and subsequently fielded in the Soviet Army. The basic design for the 2B11 was taken from the classic Model 1943 120 mm mortar, and incorporated changes to make the mortar less heavy. It is a part of the 2S12 Sani. It is being supplemented in Russia by the new 2B24 82mm mortar. The 2B11 has proliferated to other countries primarily as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Mortar
Place of origin: Soviet Union
In service: 1981–present
Wars: Soviet–Afghan War, Russo-Ukrainian War
Designed: 1981
Manufacturer: Motovilikhinskiye Zavody Special Engineering and Metallurgy JSC
Mass: 210 kg (460 lb)
Crew: 5
Shell: HE, smoke, illuminating and incendiary
Shell weight: 16.8 kg (37 lb)
Caliber: 120 mm (4.7 in)
Carriage: 2F510 2x1 wheeled transport chassis, GAZ-66 4×4 truck (prime mover)
Elevation: 45–80°
Traverse: ±5° (without bipod repositioning)
Rate of fire: 15 rounds per minute
Effective firing range: Minimum: 0.46 km (0.29 mi)
Maximum: 7.18 km (4.46 mi)
Sights: MPM-44M
THE KIT:
Zvezda is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer, based in Moscow, Russia. They make all manner of plastic model kit subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a blousy, shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. It is 2” too long.
The box art shows a color illustration of a Soviet gun crew with a 120mm mortar, posed against an all-white background. Similar to how Tamiya brand does the majority of their box arts.
The mortar is off it’s two-wheeled cart and set up. It is overall steel colored. The four man crew all wear khaki uniforms and steel helmets. Two men are standing at the gun. One man is controlling it and the other man is loading a round into it.
The third man is standing and removing a round from a wood packing crate.
The rounds are steel colored. The fourth man is kneeling on his left knee.. He is talking on a field telephone. Behind him there are 3 rifles leaning together with their stocks on the ground.
One side-panel of the box says the kit is made in Russia and distributed by Italeri in Italy. Kit is not suitable for children under 3 years of age because of small parts. For modelers aged 10 and over. in multiple languages, including English.
Zvezda is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer, based in Moscow, Russia. They make all manner of plastic model kit subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a blousy, shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. It is 2” too long.
The box art shows a color illustration of a Soviet gun crew with a 120mm mortar, posed against an all-white background. Similar to how Tamiya brand does the majority of their box arts.
The mortar is off it’s two-wheeled cart and set up. It is overall steel colored. The four man crew all wear khaki uniforms and steel helmets. Two men are standing at the gun. One man is controlling it and the other man is loading a round into it.
The third man is standing and removing a round from a wood packing crate.
The rounds are steel colored. The fourth man is kneeling on his left knee.. He is talking on a field telephone. Behind him there are 3 rifles leaning together with their stocks on the ground.
One side-panel of the box says the kit is made in Russia and distributed by Italeri in Italy. Kit is not suitable for children under 3 years of age because of small parts. For modelers aged 10 and over. in multiple languages, including English.
The other side-panel of the box gives the features of the kit: This kit consists of a mortar, transport cart and four figures, that depict a Soviet mortar crew. The soldiers wear uniforms of the Soviet Forces during the first years of WWII (1939-1943). Armament consisted of Mosin cavalry carbines. Said in 6 languages, including English, with each language labeled with a color illustration of the flag of the country that speaks the language.
The bottom of the box shows 4 color box arts of other kits that Zvezda manufacturers: Kit no. 8522, a Panzer 1B, Kit no. 3535, a Soviet Tank T-34/76 Mod 1942, Kit no. 3541, a ZIS-151 Truck and Kit no. 3512. German Infantry.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 2 dark-green parts-trees, that are not cello-bagged.
Instructions consist of a single-sheet, printed on both sides in 8” x 11 ½” format. It is folded twice to fit the box.
The face side gives assembly instructions in multiple languages, including English and the first 4 assembly steps.
The reverse side gives the remaining four assembly steps, for a total of 8. Steps 1 to 7 are for the mortar. Step 8 is for the 4 figures. One corner has a paint color listing.
There is a single-sheet in the kit that is printed on both sides, in 4 ¾” x 7 ¼” format. It gives IMPORTANT INFORMATION about the kit, in 20 languages, including English.
The part trees are not alphabetized. However, each figure is.
The first dark-green tree holds the 4 figures. The three standing figures are divided into separate heads, torsos, lower bodies and arms. The kneeling figure is divided into separate head, torso, arms and legs. One of his legs has been lost out of the kit by me…sigh.
In addition on the tree there are 4 canvas knapsacks, 6 steel helmets, 3 carbines, 4 ammo pouches, the field radio, a pistol in holster etc. (44 parts)
The kit holds 2 dark-green parts-trees, that are not cello-bagged.
Instructions consist of a single-sheet, printed on both sides in 8” x 11 ½” format. It is folded twice to fit the box.
The face side gives assembly instructions in multiple languages, including English and the first 4 assembly steps.
The reverse side gives the remaining four assembly steps, for a total of 8. Steps 1 to 7 are for the mortar. Step 8 is for the 4 figures. One corner has a paint color listing.
There is a single-sheet in the kit that is printed on both sides, in 4 ¾” x 7 ¼” format. It gives IMPORTANT INFORMATION about the kit, in 20 languages, including English.
The part trees are not alphabetized. However, each figure is.
The first dark-green tree holds the 4 figures. The three standing figures are divided into separate heads, torsos, lower bodies and arms. The kneeling figure is divided into separate head, torso, arms and legs. One of his legs has been lost out of the kit by me…sigh.
In addition on the tree there are 4 canvas knapsacks, 6 steel helmets, 3 carbines, 4 ammo pouches, the field radio, a pistol in holster etc. (44 parts)
The second dark-green tree holds the mortar parts, its two-wheeled carriage, ammo crates , mortar rounds, a shovel and pick etc. (43 parts)
The detail is very good.
Recommended.