US 81mm Mortar Carrier M21 Re-Release

I know this is an old kit with old molding technology, but it aged well. Tamiya was the top of the heap in quality in the 1970’s I thought. I think these kits hold up. The parts count is about 173 parts for the vehicle, 20 parts for the figures and 40 parts for figure accessories. BUT wait - the instructions are logical and very well thought out. Even a beginner could get a gorgeous outcome with this kit. Further, a modeler could go with a straightforward halftrack with minimal items or really go for the “gypsy caravan” look that all WWII vehicles developed over time. This really isn’t a mix and match kit, being just one version of a halftrack. You can build the mortar crew on the outside of the vehicle, but that was rarely, if ever, done in reality during the war. The mortar was usually fired from the relative safety of the interior of the vehicle and the floor was reinforced to allow such firing. The model comes with a driver who is dressed in mid-war uniform with leggings. I would bet the driver for this one is the same driver for all Tamiya American halftracks. Careful placement of his arms is required, and you must leave the steering wheel off until the driver is in place. The mortar crew is nicely rendered, and they have the double-buckle boots with leather uppers commonly issued in the last stages of the war. You have a loader, helper and phone talker. The Signal Corps Radio can either be in the vehicle or built separately if the crew is outside of the vehicle. If careful painting and weathering techniques are done on the vehicle, it will come out beautifully. It was also a matter of problem-solving that makes modeling so much fun. I cut individual strips of electrical tape (yellow, orange and white) and wrapped them around the cardboard tubing that held the individual rounds in the interior. I think it came out great and worth all the tedium. I know that many have complained about old Tamiya figures, i.e., well done but five-foot-four average height and sort of “chunky.” But, careful painting and weathering can really make them look outstanding. Maybe not DML quality, but the kit ain’t $80 either. VERY VERY recommended

I took the original kit and modified the entire vehicle to represent the personnel carrier version, also by Tamiya. I added many details including several sets of DML figures, the original radio operator, and 2 Infantry figures from Master Box Models. My modified Halftrack is shown to be a Heavy Weapons platoon vehicle and to carry a full .30cal machine gun crew, 81mm mortar crew as well as supporting infantry all covered by a crew member firing a .50cal machine gun. This kit is very useful and highly recommended to anyone with some 1/35th scale modeling experience as there are many details as well as adding to it as I did.

This is a re-release of a kit that I believe was first released almost 50 years ago (circa 1976). There is a marked difference between the engineering precision of this kit and Tamiya’s newer kits. While the detail is not as good, this kit still possesses a good level of realism and detail. I plan to use this half track in a diorama with the M3 personnel carrier (which is also a re-release of an older Tamiya kit). It would be great if Tamiya released an upgraded design of this half track. It’s surprising there aren’t more 1/35th scale kits of American half tracks. Assembly was straightforward, so I think this kit is ideal for beginners. The biggest challenge I had was attaching the body to the chassis and attaching the bumper. I had to shave off some of the plastic to achieve a consistent fit without any gaps between the pieces. Pros: Unique kit. Detailed (considering the age of the kit). Most parts fit together seamlessly. Cons: More flashing than on newer Tamiya kits. Figures are not as detailed as newer figures.