Tamiya 1/35 Military Miniature Series No.83 U.S. Half track 81mm Mortar Carrier M21

Overall Length: 183 mm. The photo shows the kit assembled and painted. [ A Mobile Mortar Position That Excelled by Leveraging Firepower and Mobility ] Recognizing the half-track’s superior off-road capabilities, the U.S. Army began research on it in the late 1920s. As the mechanization of the Army became a critical and urgent priority during World War II, the Army produced more than 40,000 half-tracks?including the M2 and M3 series?during the war. They also mass-produced self-propelled guns equipped with various types of artillery using the half-track chassis. The M21 Motor Carrier, adopted as standard equipment in June 1943, was one such vehicle. It utilized the M3 half-track chassis and mounted an 81mm mortar in an open-top fighting compartment. A key feature of the M21 was that the mortar’s tripod was placed on rails on the floor of the combat compartment, allowing for a firing arc of 60 degrees to either side and enabling direct fire from the vehicle. It was also equipped with a 12.7mm Browning heavy machine gun and carried a bazooka, numerous rounds of ammunition, and landmines. It was essentially a mobile mortar position, and it played an active role in battles such as the Battle of Okinawa by leveraging its firepower and mobility. Furthermore, it remained in service for training purposes long after the war, until around 1960. [ Model Specifications ] ● This is a 1/35 scale plastic model kit of the American M21 Motor Carrier. ● Total length when completed: 183 mm. ● The model faithfully recreates the flat-paneled hull, the open-top combat compartment loaded with numerous rounds, and the cockpit with a rich sense of three-dimensionality. ● The complex chassis?a hallmark of U.S. Army half-tracks, featuring front-wheel drive?offers a highly satisfying building experience. ● In addition to a wealth of accessories, including a precisely reproduced 81mm mortar, a bazooka, and various seats, the set includes three U.S. soldiers: a driver and two in firing positions. The mortar and soldiers can be detached from the vehicle for display on a layout. [Initial Release Month] August 1976 Information is current as of September 2, 2026. Product names, prices, release dates, and specifications are subject to change without notice. (From the Tamiya website)