This a complete strip down and rebuild of a Tamiya M21 Mortar Carrier that I got in a boxlot of old models I came across on TradeMe. I’ve replaced a lot of broken parts, rebuilt the suspention, detailed the mortar, detailed the M2 Browning .50 cal MG, redone the winch, replaced the bootman loops, opened up the empty morttar shell stowage holes, and added stowage boxes to the rear door. The stars were painted on using an airbrush and a template, mainly as very little of them will be seen once the stowage is on. There are no vehicle ID numbers as these were removed by the crews when in action. I’ve also built a crew and a lot of stowage for it but none of that will go on till after the painting is finished. Right now it’s had the base coats and preshading done, now it’s waiting for good weather to do a coat of Future before I do the washes and filters.
Model looks good. I am working on the Tamiya ‘M-21′ myself and using the Dragon M-21 to template additional parts for the Tamiya kit.
I put the ‘M-21′ in marks for a reason. The Tamiya kit is not a true M-21. The kit is the pilot model T-19. The Dragon kit is the actual M-21. The main external difference is in the rear external storage area and the storage location of the mortar base plate and the M-3 tripod for the .50 cal machine gun. I used Hunnycut’s book for reference.
Yeah I’ve found doing the Tamiya one has been a good exercise in learning the bits and bobs on them. When I get to doing the DML one there’s still heaps to change but with that one I’ll probably go with PE. The DML one still needs the floor around the mortar base changed which I missed on this ne as well, and the further into I got the more I realised could of been added, even just little details like the wingnuts on the inside of the windscreen for holding the armoured cover down.