Hello all,

I have a DML (6362) M21 Mortar Motor Carriage (assembly) nearly completed. Building the kit OOB was the original plan, but you know how that goes.🤥

So, here we go again. … While building model, historical references/photos pile up neck deep during construction! 📚

For markings, I was considering the following as per an Armorama Kit Review: “Option one is from the 2nd US Armored Division, Ardennes 1945. It’s distinguishing feature is the large yellow 1-15 on the sides.”
DML, M21 MMC, M21 81mm Mortar Motor Carriage.

Since I’m finding it hard to resist adding stuff, my question is: What figures are available that might be appropriate for a possible dio/vignette with the M21? … Thinking maybe in the fighting compartment and/or next to the vehicle. Here are the ones that call out to me thus far: MiniArt (35161) ‘US Officers’ and/or (35200) ‘US Soldiers at Rest’ — unsure of uniforms. BTW: The DML M21 kit does include a driver. I’m not opposed to a little slice-n-dice or adding resin heads, but with so many projects going at once, I’d like not to get too carried away this time. I need to think about groundwork as well. … Ho boy! 🤔

Many thanks in advance for the schooling I am about to receive! 📚

Cheers!🍺
—mike

Hi Mike

Have you considered the Miniart U.S. Jeep crew and MP set? Not sure how fit will be, but you have a driver another guy sitting, so one might suit you there, and a few guys that could be standing in or around the vehicle. The ammo pouches are separate so you can leave them off if you want and the rifle sling shown in the pic is not moulded to the body.

G'day Mike

I had a similar problem with an M4 mortar carrier, and used the old Tamiya M3A2 crew (assault infantry). Don't know how successful it's been yet as I have yet to try and fit them into the vehicle.

Regards

Rob

Considering the mortars were organic to all the infantry companies you can choose from any infantry figures sets really. Including resin figs. You may have to omit some things like bandoleers and e-tools but the mortar guys were just specialized grunts.
So,I suppose what you need to do is settle on a scene and then pick your little dudes accordingly ?
J

Peter, Rob, and Jerry, Thanks! It’s good to see there are some choices available.

I’d like to conform to historical accuracy if at all possible, but there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of photo information available on the M21 variant (only 110 were built). Since this is my first attempt at US Armor, Im doing my research in order to avoid getting waylaid after-the-fact.

I know it sounds like I don’t have a real plan, and I’m putting the horse before the cart … or is it track before the infantry? … Oh, that’s actually a good thing. 🤔 I do have a little something in mind (nothing special), but as soon as I can wrap my head around it, I’ll fixate on that mental image and go from there.

Time to go research some resin grunts and/or replacement heads.

As always, your comments are most welcome here.

Cheers!
—mike🍺

Hi, I get this one old set for my M4

https://www.google.com.uy/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2F63.135.101.110%2Fd-m-propics%2FDIR_DRA%2FDRA6198%2FC_DRA6198_00.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dragon-models.com%2Fd-m-item.asp%3Fpid%3DDRA6198&docid=hSDIz7LatxFJJM&tbnid=I4skIIAvtcUzQM%3A&vet=1&w=550&h=357&safe=off&bih=589&biw=1366&q=dragon%20mortar%20team&ved=0ahUKEwi7-97aronSAhUDi5AKHaQ-DLIQMwhkKEAwQA&iact=mrc&uact=8#h=357&imgrc=I4skIIAvtcUzQM:&vet=1&w=550

I know where you are coming from. I based my recommendation on this pic:
xxhttp://cdn-5.olive-drab.com/images/id_m21_halftrack_01_700.jpgxx

And the few more you find of the M4 mortar Carrier. Different vehicles, but the grunts using them were pretty much the same roles.

Good luck on the project

you could modify the figures in DML kit #6163 101st Airborne in Bastogne. They are in winter gear for that time frame.

Hi guys, Those are some of the sets I was considering. I’ll need to look at posing possibilities now. The kit came with a driver and I've got him in pretty good shape already.

Thanks for all the input!🍺
—mike

Hi guys, I've got another question: I'm looking to add some stowage and was wondering which of the following Legend ration boxes would work with the M21. 📦📦 🤔

Early

Late


TIA,
—mike

Advice needed bump ...☝️

What do you want the figures to be doing?
Should they be resting or in action?

If you're going with the Jan-45, Ardennes idea, then I'd look for GI's wearing heavier clothing. Don't know the kit#, but Dragon had a set of 8 figs at the Remagen bridgehead, and IIRC there was a good mix of jackets, coats and poses.

Mark and Jack,
Thanks, I've been getting the figures sorted out. ... Oh yeah, resting.

My most recent query was regarding the 'Legend' ration boxes for stowage possibilities (see June 01, 2017 post above).

—mike

The answer to which rations box is "yes"

The earlier boxes were still in the supply pipeline in late 1944. If doing Korea I would say "maybe not" to the earlier boxes. In Korea stuff was supposedly finally showing up that had been in warehouses since 1942.

But 1944? No problem.

Yes buddy,those ration boxes were the usual food issued to Lahdy Dahdy and everybody no matter what the rank or job. Stack'em in there man.
J

Thanks guys!
I'll make sure the troops don't go hungry! 📦📦📦📦📦

Bon appetite! 🍉
—mike

Hey Mike, I have some older Tamiya figures in heavy coats. If you want to have them just p.m. me with your add. and you can have them for nothing. Might help for action or hanging about.

Hi Bob,
Thanks for the very generous offer! I’ve already got some of the figure sets as suggested above in my stash with more to arrive next week. However, you never know what I might need. Can you be more specific about the Tamiya figures you’ve mentioned? A kit number or a photo would help. Just in case you’d like to avoid the grind of uploading images, I’ve PMed you my e-mail address.

🔎 Currently, my focus is on finishing the M21 Mortar Motor Carriage, as I’ve enlisted in the “Half a Year for a Half Track” campaign. With a deadline of June 30, 2017 rapidly approaching, figure construction/mods are in a holding pattern until after I've completed my entry.

Thanks to all for your input!🍺
—mike

Hello again,
Another query to the esteemed knowledgeable ones. 📚

It’s decal time and I’ve saved the hardest ones for last — Ho boy! DML supplies the dreaded individual alpha-numerics, triangles, etc. decal sheet for serial numbers on the hood sides and maybe bumper codes too (unsure). So how does one avoid messing up the unit info., etc.? The box art suggests one thing and the instructions another (see below) and nothing about bumper codes front or rear.

Box art: U.S.A. 40141702
Instruction sheet: U.S.A. 401387

My instinct is to go with the latter, but I’m still clueless about the bumper codes. 🤔

TIA, 🍺
—mike

The USA number in the instructions is 4013870. A six digit code would have been an early war M2.

And bumper Codes? Find a World War 2 listing of units in the 2nd AD. What units would have had a mortar halftrack? (Armored infantry battalion headquarters?)

Or just leave the bumpers blank for front line operational security.

Stephen, You're right.
I made a typo on that instruction serial number. I missed typing that last 'zero' trying to find out if it was an 'O' when my computer started acting all weird.

At his point, I don't even know if I can handle those tiny numbers floating around in 'MicroSet Solution' anyway (vision impaired 🔍). However, from an artistic standpoint, it might be nice to include something there for contrast.

Thanks again!🍺
—mike

Second armored had 41st Armored Infantry, and 66 and 67 tank battalions. The M21 was used in mortar platoon in the headquarters company of the armored infantry or armor battalions.

There is a possibility that a platoon or mortars was in the reconnaissance battalion which was the 82 recon.

There's one of two ways depending on practices. Using 2^66^ Or 67^ or 41AI, or even 82R as the unit with HHC or HQ - 15 as the vehicle number. Fifteenth vehicle of headquarters company.

Or it could be 2^66^-X, MTR-15. That's one way of saying headquarters, 66 Armor battalion, mortar platoon 15.

World War 2 bumper codes weren't always cut and dried as they became postwar.

So that would be 2 triangle, either 66 or 67 triangle or 41AI or 82R, dash X. On the other bumper MTR dash 15.

Hey Stephen,
I meant to thank you for the advice. Much appreciated!

Cheers!🍺
—mike

Gentlemen,

As a result of all the help provided here, I've been slowly breathing a little life into this project.

The DML (6362) M21 Mortar Motor Carriage was built for the 'Half a Year for a Half Track' Campaign.


Two figures from MiniArt (35047) US Jeep Crew + Hornet Heads and one hand.



Cheers!🍺
—mike