That looks excellent, Alan. Can anybody answer the question posed on PSR as to what the stand of three figures carrying the big pole are supposed to be doing?

My thoughts were cleaning the barrel of the gun, I hope I am right because a photo in that position has now been sent to Strelets, if it`s some form of PT or a secret weapon that photo is going to look a little silly

I suspect they are meant to be shoving the shell into the breech though the setup clearly wont work as the loading mechanism is missing from the gun....

1.Four (not two) guys, one on each handle facing in the direction of the shell carry it in a device broadly similar to the one shown here:
http://www.strelets-r.com/Pages/ContributionImage/12506.jpg

2.This is then transferred to the loading device(missing, basically a hinged tray) mounted on the trail behind the breech.

The device is raised to the breech and the shell shoved home... presumably using a rammer...

without the loading device the three figures serve no purpose as far as I can see....

I cannot be absolutely certain about this though as all the pics I have only show these men at the ready not going through the motions and I dont have the manual..

edit found a sequence here courtesy of PDA, see at about 0:42 on...

It would seem my guys are poking the wrong end of the barrel then ....but the three figures will not sit at the right end anyway, and that`s a shame, more joined up thinking required me thinks

Well, no, I think you were right, Alan. I have seen footage of men swabbing the barrel (I think it removed some of the residue and lengthened the life of the barrel). I'm not 100% that I've seen a German crew doing it - I think I've seen it, but haven't been able to locate it in my collection yet. Definitely seen British gun crews and British tank crews swabbing their guns.

Although I do agree that the sequence shows three guys ramming a round into place, I think the rammer looks rather different to the swab.

Might be wrong; wonder what Strelets had in mind when they were sculpting?

Well heres a pic that may change your mind...

bunch of guys ramming the shell home with a pole?

a few more here:

landships 21cm Mörser m.10/16 article

Well that seems pretty conclusive! Just shows you how much I know!

Looking at the Landships pictures it's apparent the normal more of operation was with track pads fitted, shame these aren't included in the kit.
Steve

I doubt the chain track would have worked as a kit of parts or rubber belt, perhaps some kind soul will produce an etched set to complete the details on the model... failing that could always add a set of simple plates to the wheels with strips of plastic card joining them not perfectly accurate but should look ok