H Mike,

Many thanks for dropping in and the comments. I've cut the tails and lowered the ears as brown rats are slightly different to Rattus Rattus the black rat,which preferred dry conditions whilst the brown rat doesn't mind the wet.

Lots to do in this one, I working towards a varied reflection of trench life and activities during a brief moment of calm after Stand To in what can only have been close to a living hell.

Cheers

Al

Hi folks,

A bit more work on the Doc and the rat. I've added the tops to the medical containers, trimmed the rat and I'm currently working on the stretchers.

Al







Al

hello,
Alan superb work. I love the idea of ​​your rat . eager to see more.
steph

Hi Steph,

Many thanks, this rear section is progressing along quite well. I've added a second rat towards the bottom end of the rear trench, the wire is starting to get some colour and I've tidied up the border. The shrubbery has had some dark mud pigment added into it to take the new look off it and I'm starting to add more contrast to the mud in this area.

Cheers

Al

Hi folks,

The question for this young Officer is how does it work!! I've had some additional shells made which should arrive next week so that there can be a stockpile of ammo.

The question is does the Officer work here in the context above? Also would they have used aiming posts with this weapon?







Thanks

Al

Hi Allan.

Never say "Never!", but due to the sheer size of these mortars, a calculation for the targetting was necessary. One would create an optimal effect of the grenades. This requires references on a map grid and thus also aiming posts, or, less likely, a fixed and (calculated and on the grid known) reference point such as a church tower or alike.

With howitsers and canons via direct, short range firing the need of a refernce point is not always necessary. But for "normal" use, also reference points are a must!

Hi Alan,

Pls., consider the following:
such a heavy mortar would be some inches into the bottom due to the weight and, after it has been used, the "recoil" of the gun (Sorry. not a native speaker. I do not know how to call the force which is created by the blow of the mortar grenade on the foot plate. )

Hi Paul,

Many thanks. The base of the Mortar actually sits in a pit and was then pinned down as far as I know, so the level of the mortar should be OK as that's how it's set up. This one has just arrived and the crew will be working on setting it up. Only 30 of these were deployed by 1916, arriving in June that year. They were the Mk I type, and I have a feeling this one is the Mk III which was deployed later but I have no idea how different in style they were so a bit of artistic license here.

Thanks for the thoughts about the targeting, I'll add a map with some aiming points and distances. The forward Sap fits the bill then as an OP to observe the fall of shot and I'll add a sight made from rod.

Cheers

Al

Hi folks,

I've added a periscope No 4 Mk I to the mortar. This is based on a reference from IWM. The periscope was 42 inches in length, a straight tube affair as best I can tell mounted on a post and could be adjusted in height to see over the parapet. This is an optional extra as I've seen several pictures where the mortar didn't have any kind of scope.

Made from plastic rod with some bolts and wing nuts added.









Al

Hi Alan,

Thanks for the answer.
In case the mortar just has been put to its position, it is likely that its reference point not yet has been installed. Otherwise, you need a red white beacon pole, which, by means of the mortar's optics is used to aim the mortar. Actually, the system is equal as to field guns. Maybe, a field telephone would be an item to realize contact between the calculating crew and the guys who mannded the mortar.
The periscope gives me some doubts: I can hardly imagine that corrections were made with these optics after the grenade hit the ground in front of the trenches. Due to thehorizontal distance between mortar and hitting point. But apparently, a periscope can be used to correct the elevation and direction........

Any other vision is welcome.

To the soil: I thought that there would not be any space between the soil and the mortar plate. Now, one sees some openings.

But, as stated, a wonderful and fascinating build in hihg quality.

I enjoy it very much.

P.

Hi Paul,

As best I can determine the periscope was simply a way of seeing over the parapet to help sight the mortar before firing. I would have been removed when firing commenced as it would have gotten in the way.

The kit isn't attached firmly to the base yet, although there are no gaps on the sides. The top beams sit on a bed of beams and it's the bed of beams in the pit that set the height. When I've finished working on it I might add a little more earth, that's what the guy with the shovel is for

Normally a couple of bedding in rounds would be fired to ensure the mortar was stable and firm to the ground. I've seen some footage of these in action and the crew get well you of the way before they fire the beast. A hit with one of these would take out about 30ft of trench.

I may add some traverse % to the sandbags as white paint markings and will probably make a map board with distances and angles.

Some basic data here:

http://m.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30025477

Mortars in miniature is a cool site if you haven't already visited it.

http://www.mortarsinminiature.com/index.htm

Cheers

Al

Al
Lovin this build buddy, so much to look at. You know your stuff too.
Massive build.

pete

Hi Peter,

Glad you enjoying the build, many thanks for looking in.

Cheers

Al

Hi Alan.

Thanks for the background info: another learing moment!

Looking forward to see your next steps!

P.

Hi Alan,

let me congratulate you on the superb work!!

Kudos to you for the daunting project!

Cheers

Romain

Hi Paul and Romain,

Many thanks, for the feedback and dropping in. The scope has had a first coat of paint and I've been trying out some other placement options for the figs.

The step down area will hold a pile of stacked bombs and the scene is setting up the mortar. I thought the officer might work here in the context of reading up on the beast! I've got to make some more personal equipment and I'm awaiting the arrival of the bombs.

Cheers

Al

Hi folks,

I need the opinion of some Artillery Experts here. I was thinking of putting some aiming markers in. A small 2ft set of posts decreasing form 90%, 80%, 60% and 40%. These needed to be lower than the front parapet and would have their near side painted white.

I also marked the sandbags the same. Would this be a feasible concept that was ever used or not?



Thanks

Al

Hello Alan, very impressive looking dio. I've got a question regarding the mortar. Is it a muzzle loader? If so, how did they hoist a shell up there drop it in? Just being inquisitive. Al

Hi Al,

Thanks,

Here's some footage of one in action with the Australians

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk7-Rft1Jro

Man power lol.

Here are a couple of pics.

Al









As you can see in the last pic they have improvised a chute to aid the process.

Some footage here too:

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675048364_British-soldiers_Battle-of-Somme_trench-mortars_flying-pigs

I think this might be the Mk I with a shorter Tube. You'll notice in both cases it's a good idea to run away and take cover!.

Cheers

Al

Thanks Alan, I see that in most cases platforms were built up around the mortars so the crew could reach the muzzle more easily, makes sense.

Hi Al,

Thanks for the original question, it took me off to look for some pictures and back to the photos I took at Duxford, which made some things clearer and also the fact I had the side supports in an incorrect position .

Fixed now though. Tempted to cut down the barrel to 51 inches for the earlier Mk I but I'm not sure if the base was the same. Looking at the photos they seem to have buried the bulk of the base in the ground, not really an option I want to do.

Cheers

Al

How about a loading platform, across the front of the weapon, made of a few boards laid on top of the firing steps, in that angle? Al

Those nice little details are really putting icing on the cake of this now epic build,
J

Hi Alan,

Having seen the film in the link, I recognized two things:
1. The tube is considerably longer in your dio. However, the loading procedure might be the same. In that case, the empty crates on the trench wall would not be too logic there, but on the other side of the mortar. (in your case, opposite of what is shown). Why? These mortars were loaded in a 180 degrees turn from their shooting direction.
2. Apparently, there seem to be some sort of a bumpers, which stops the mortar in both direction and elevation. The soldiers in the film seem to use a hammer to fix things!!!
This would implement that these bumpers are related to a (calculated!?!?) flight of the grenade.
Remains the question: how are these bumpers set? By experimental shooting and adapting the setting to the result? This would mean that under changing weather and wind conditions, the flight would be different every time. In case the mortar is used for enemy trench bashing, these would be a solution. To stop or interdict enemy actions, this would be, more or less, lucky shots.
Or would there be some sort of calculating before firing. In that case a fixed and well known reference point would be needed, next to optics to position the mortar.

By the way: just noticing that we are making free time modeling into military science. Which recalls words of my beloved one, who is wondering every time again why I can not just build a model out of the box and be happy with the result without complaining about lack of details or faults!

Hi Paul,

The Mr Models kit is the Mk II or Mk III mortar. The Mk I was introduced in 1916 with about 30 being deployed in June that year. It had a 51 inch barrel length. The Mk II and Mk III had a 69 inch barrel and were deployed in 1917 with some MkIV being added towards wars end of the war. The were used by the British, Australians and Americans.

The bumpers you refer to are the carry handles for the base. If you look at the pics you will see the empty fixings both front and back for these, which were naturally removed when located in place. The model is a mixture of resin and white metal parts and these come with the handles and fixings as one.

As I said to be accurate in this time period this would need to be a Mk I. I made several errors in the original build all of which have been corrected although I still have a Mk III not a Mk I. I have three options, strip the barrel down and cut it down or get another and start afresh, or leave as is.

Hind sight is a great thing but at the time of the build I had little information to work on. I've got a small amount of data now plus when I was searching for pictures for Al B, I came across the US manual for the mortar which I down loaded last night, which I'll have a browse through.

Not a good picture but with the base corrected and carry handles in place.



I've dug the mortar in a bit more as it is clear form the pics that this seemed to be common practice. My bombs arrived this morning so I'll be able to create a nice pile of shells. some in crates and some being stacked in readiness for the attack. Whether this turns out to be a Mk I or III you have to wait and see as this project is very much an ongoing a WIP. I don't have a problem with the creates being put on top, space was at a premium and they would either have been chopped up for firewood or returned from whence they came later. They are artistic license at best, as I've never seen a created bomb but they work for me at least until I see some alternative.

If you Google 9.45 inch Heavy Trench Mortar you can probably find the US Manuel that might answer a lot of your questions and probably raise a few others.

Hi Al,

You'll have to await developments!

Hi Jerry,

Thanks - long way to go yet.

Cheers

Al