25cm Minenwerfer
Germany WW1

Minewerfers or mine throwers were initially specialist equipment used by engineer or pioneer companies. However, it was quickly realized that these weapons were far more cost effective than equivalent heavy field artillery. A minenwerfer was about one tenth the cost of a same caliber field artillery piece. And because of the low charge and velocity, the ammunition was also far cheaper. Minenwerfers proliferated quickly through the German army and were very effective in attacking enemy trenches and dugouts.

This is another Vargas Scale Models kit. It went together quickly. The fit was decent, and parts preparation was minimal. The kit came with wheels which I decided not to use as they had deep 3D print striations that would have been time consuming to correct. I scratch built trunnion caps and retaining pins/chains to better match the photos. I found a photo that showed the lettering for the ammunition, and an old manual that showed the color; so, I created my own decals for the ammo, sight box and mortar. As the model is small and the camo scheme is complex, I decided to brush paint it. I used an extra-fine Sharpie and a .3mm Molotow pen to add the interline. I hadn't brush painted anything in decades and it shows. I'm just not very good with a hairy stick...