I'm taking a short break from building any big project. I've decided to build a M30, 4.2 inch mortar, since I've found an old Tamyia model of it.

What I am looking for is info on the colors used on it. I recall that the base plate was painted, portion of the barrel. But I can't recall what color was used. Also I have a few 4.2 in mortar shells anyone know what color their should be?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Hi,

At Mortars in Miniature you have an article about it - U.S. 4.2inch Mortar, M-30.


HTH

Kevin hangs around here (kkeefe), the MiM site is his and he's bound to see your post. I can look in my arms room to see if I have a 4.2, but I think I only have a couple of 120mm.

Ed,

Did you not receive my e-mail from yesterday (Friday)?

Basically... IIRC, I used the darkest shade of PollyS OD paint with a good black wash of W&N oils thinned with an odorless brush cleaner applied afterwards. The natural metal areas were painted with PollyS Oxidized Aluminum, and these areas also got a good wash. Old paints but the equivalents are still available in the new formula Polly Scale Metallic Line series of acrylic paints. All painting was done by AB.... Aluminum color first, masked off and then the OD.

I have seen them in various shades of dark semi-gloss metallic green, like the 1950's-1970's Army green applied to everything, to lighter green. Never saw any in metallic black.

I got a good photo of the lighter green backed up on a CD somewhere around here... let me see if I can locate it.

HTH

Ed,

Depends on the timeframe. These pictures are from 1987-1988 but parts of the gun system date back to the 40's.

Paul

Thanks everyone for the help.

Being an ex-11c30, I can say that I have fired the M29 81mm, the M30 4.2 in (107mm) and the M252 60mm mortars, and am a graduate of the infantry mortar platoon course, or IMPC. The M30's I have seen were painted two basic colors... Some were an F.S. 34102 to an F.S. 34079, while others were painted with a more olive drabish color, close to F.S. 34087. A section of the barrel was Chrome silver in the recoil section of the barrel, and there was also a lot of exposed brass. Hope this helps