Dragon has already released a 1/35 scale kit of the American M4 Mortar Carrier, and has now backed it up with a new kit of its successor, the M21 Mortar Motor Carriage. The M21 had a number of improvements over the M4, chief of which was the vehicle being based on the longer M3 halftrack chassis. This extended length allowed the mounted mortar to fire towards the front (rather than rearwards as on the M4), and permitted the .50-cal machine gun to be mounted in a pedestal near the rear of the vehicle. The main armament of the M21 halftrack was obviously the M1 81mm mortar, which was supplied with 97 rounds. Another distinctive feature of the M21 was the fitting of stowage racks along the external sides of the fighting compartment. The M21 Mortar Carrier was used by both US and Free French forces during WWII.

Dragon's new 1/35 scale M21 kit is well appointed. The new rear door on the hull can be posed open or closed, while the fighting compartment itself is brand new to replicate the M21's unique configuration. The whole of the open topped fighting compartment is fully detailed, including a brand new M1 mortar with aluminium tube. The internal ammo racks are filled with newly tooled mortar rounds ready for firing. On the outside of the fighting compartment are brand new stowage racks, and here Dragon has come up with a neat solution. The external mine racks come as a pre moulded option with all the mines in place, or alternatively, a full set of individual mines can be affixed as chosen by the modeller. These separate mines come with photo etched parts to provide heightened detail. To ensure this M21 is ready for action, Dragon also throws in a bonus driver figure. As can be seen, Dragon's M21 has an exhaustive set of specifications that allow modellers to create a model full of individual flair!

Features:

Newly tooled Mortar ammo in rack

New arrangement of M21 fighting compartment cabin w/interior details

MG w/hollow muzzle produced by slide moulds

Accurate rubber track modelled w/centre guide band

Full drive train assembly complete w/engine transmission, differential housing and suspension units

One piece chassis frame

Rear luggage rack can be assembled in folded or open mode

New rear door can be assembled open or closed

81mm mortar gun barrel made from aluminium metal

Rear panel w/crisp details

Side armour peculiar to M21

Radio w/crisp detail

Super detailed multi-direction slide-molded sprocket wheels

Bonus driver

New ladder is finely reproduced for M21

Individual mines w/photo-etched parts

External mine rack for M21

Optional one-piece external mine rack (w/mines inside)

Multi-direction slide-molded idler wheels are superbly reproduced

Tires intentionally shaped to mimic bulging caused by a heavy load

Road wheels w/crisp details

Slide-molded wheel couplings

Hubcaps w/superb details

Bogie assembly w/internal spring detail

Differential housing comes w/bolt and rib details

Steering mechanism in full detail

Spring suspension is reproduced well

Engine complete w/radiator and oil sump

Headlights w/corresponding light guards

Winch assembly especially for M21

Armored front grill w/accurate bolt details can be modeled in two modes: bonus individual photo-etched slats available for the open mode

Engine hood w/detailed bolt and hinges

Front window armor can be assembled open/closed; includes finely molded struts

Front windshield made w/clear parts

Photo-etched windshield wipers in fine details

Photo-etched visors for armored wondow covers

Detailed dashboard instrument panel

Delicate steering wheel and controls

Top half of cab doors can be assembled in swing-down position

Jerry cans w/delicate strap details

One-piece exhaust and muffler

Rear tow hook is fully detailed

Rear mud flaps made from photo-etched parts

Sharply reproduced on-vehicle tools

Paint and glue not included