Restoration of Hull 731- Carrier, MG (Aust) Mortar Carrying

[Darrin Wright]

Thanks guys for the detailed info on unit markings. Confusing now and it would have been just as confusing back in 1943. Some unit commanders would have been quick or slow to apply these changes and also depending on stores etc available at the time. So there would have been any number of vehicles sporting different unit markings during those busy days in and around Darwin.

My vehicle will be correct for Dec 42 to Mar 43 and I am happy with that as it ties in with the unit diary that I have for that time period.

From info gained in the 3" Mortar thread I have decided that the likelihood of ever finding a Mk1 base plate and then being able to purchase it would be quite remote. I have been following prices on mortar items and they are a little high to extreme. If and when the items come up.

So with that in mind, what does one do?

Well I decided to scale a replica baseplate from the pics on MLU and the mounting brackets in my hull.
So for less than $100 (and that includes buying the electric jigsaw cutter) I purchased 12mm ply, dowel wood and some wood screws and cut and assembled a baseplate. I then used automotive spray putty to fill in the wood grain and gaps; and when dry, a good heavy brushed coat of green left over from my Dodge restoration.

It has now dried and is mounted in the stowed position in the hull.

This was about 6hr of work to complete.

Being wood, it is quite light and does not pose a danger to my mortar crew (who are currently aged 12 & 14).

I think next I will try my hand at making a Vickers MG as I have the AutoCAD plans from Ebay. Not sure if I should go with a wooden or laser cut steel body?