Restored - Russian/German 12cm Mortar.

OK, I know it's not a vehicle, but anyway....

A good friend of mine has ( in addition to rebuilding a Kettenkrad ) been recreating a genuine German 12cm mortar for some years now. Original parts have been sourced via personal contacts, e-bay, militaria fairs etc and then painstakingly cleaned of rust. The barrel bears both Russian markings from 1940 and later German marks.

Yesterday morning, he asked me and another friend to help put all the parts together for the first time. The weapon is very large, clumsy and heavy - it was certainly a three-man job. I think you'll agree that the result looks pretty impressive.....this is a rare item and it was actually quite a privilege to be able to work on it. Of course, it's not yet finished, there are still some 'bits' to be found. An amazing relic......

 

Looks like a beast

 

I would certainly not want to have been part of the mortar crew that had to lug that huge beast around!

Indeed, how is Richard getting on with his Kettenkrad as I've often wondered if he has completed it yet?

 

He's still hard at it, John...engine/gearbox in, and I believe the tracks are complete. A major issue yet to be resolved ( as can be seen in the photo ) are the front forks........part of the problem is that the cost of original parts has skyrocketed since the project began.

 

I can well imagine how hard it must be to source original parts for a Kettenkrad.

Has he ever thought about using reproduction parts?

This website has a list of repro parts that they sell for Kettenkrads.
leharmilitaryvehicles

 

Thanks, John - I'll pass that on. He's had to use some postwar/repro bits simply because originals just can't be found.......

 

Such a shame you can't now set off to some parkland for a civilised afternoon of popping off rounds...

 

Ermm.....we did fantasize, working out theoretical maximum ranges, etc.......