Hello everybody,

Just a quick note to let you know that I've updated once again. No big deal, just a 1/285th scale British FV432(M). (It's been a busy spring/summer and this is just about all that I can muster up right now.)

I have also updated the "Honor Roll" page which is far more important IMHO as well as the "Other Mortar Manuals" page.

Thanks all,

Kevin Keefe
http://www.mortarsinminiature.com

Kevin,

ohh man, it's the third absolute beauty I see this evening. How on earth did you do such detailed grass ????

Me, being a mortar man myself, admire this fine piece of art !!!

Please brief us on the grass !!

Darn great !!

Hey, man I've seen your site before and was amazed by it. Such nice models and such a great looking groundwork... Outstanding!!! Could you tell us more about the plants you are using?

Mario M.

Cool!
Very nicely done grass, I also would like to know more about how did you make it...please tell us :-)

WOW! Thanks for all the kind words!

(Trying this again.... I replied, but it went off to the Twilight Zone I guess after I hit submit...)

The groundwork and grass are all described. Probably the only thing that I do that's not mentioned is that I usually drybrush it with various earth colors when dry. I use any available Static Grass, mostly Verlinden's and I fix this to the Sculptamold 'contour' with diluted White Glue. I apply the grass quite heavily, let it set (usually overnight), and remove the excess with a soft wide modeling paint brush to 'fluff it up some'. Drybrush as required.

The plants are described also. Mostly from my wife's collection of dried-flowers.... snip, snip, but in the case of the Jap. Type 89, I hand made the 'palms' with wire and paper.

Nothing scientific with any of my models, I just drink a few beers and have fun with it.

Thanks for making my Monday!

Kevin Keefe
http://www.mortarsinminiature.com (I'll figure out the 'url' button one of these days.)

here you go
http://www.mortarsinminiature.com

Is is a nice site

Excellent web site. I was a mortarman myself for 15 years in the US Army.

I even was an instructor at the Weapons, Gunnery, and Mortar School in Fort Benning, Georgia USA.

I shoot the old and the new 60mm, 81mm, and the 4.2" (107mm) mortars.

Also in mechanized the 81mm and 107mm on APC M106.

Did every duties as Ammunition Handler, Assistant Gunner, Gunner, Squad Leader, Section Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, and FDC chief (Fire Direction Center).

My favorites mortarman mottos are "High Angle Hell" and "Death and Destruction".

I will start collecting mortars too, so I will be checking your site more often.

Thanks and keep up the good work.

I did the same thing in the Royal Dutch Army.... I was CO of 81mm, 4.2" and 120mm platoons. I ended my career as second in command of the supportcompany. Next to the beloved mortars I had to look after them hammerheadcrews also.....

Mortar....Mighty Fine Weapon... and no just fun to be in the "iron shower" when the shell explodes......

Kevin,

I like that spirit about 'a few beers" and all that. You'd make a great Belgian
If this can help you make your Tuesday as well : that is the finest collection of vignettes I've ever seen. Really impressive.
Jan

I like that Eagle, "IRON SHOWER".

I am adding that to my favorites mortar mottos. :-)

General Failure, love your pictures in your General quarters. Nice workshop you got there.

Jan,

I thank you for those kind words, and yes it certainly did make my Tuesday!

Nice place you've got over there, and I have also enjoyed your large scale vehicles as well!

The beers are on me...Ya just gotta get here!

Thanks everybody!!
Kevin Keefe
http://www.mortarsinminiature.com

Kevin,

about that grass. I read that u used Verlinden's Static Grass. How did you get it standing up ?

I'm not familiar with the Verlinden grass, bit seems to me that when you just sprinkle it on the white glue, it tends to fall down. Is there some technique to make it standing up or does it go up by itself ?

Danny,

I apply it quite heavily over the WG, then I usually let it all dry over night (usually because it's the last thing I do). At the next sitting, I remove the excess with a semi-wide soft modeling paint brush, really scruffing the hell out of it in the process. For the most part, with what's left, I usually get a good sufficient covering. I also dry-brush it up (scruffing it up even more) with various earth-tones.

I know that I have Verlinden's SG as well as a few other bags by other mfr's that I've had for years. The application process is the same with the results also being the same.

Do it over something to catch and return the excess to the bag.

HTH and Thanks,
Kevin
http://www.mortarsinminiature.com

ThX Kevin.

That sure answered the questions I had.

I'm gonna try it soon as the first grass has to grow on my dio's !

thx again buddy!