BM-31-12 Katyusha (SU144) (Direct Only)

BM-31-12 Katyusha (SU144) (Direct Only) includes one BM-31-12 Katyusha Rocket Launcher with Optional Loading Crew. Following on from the success of the BM-13-16 Katyusha during the close of 1941, the need for a larger rocket quickly became apparent. The response to this demand was the BM-31-12. Following the standard Soviet naming convention, BM stood for ground vehicle; 31 for the rocket type/model used and the 12 for the number of rails or tubes. Check out the BM-31-12 Katyusha in the online store here...

The rocket was developed from an earlier design, the M30. However, the request for a longer-range weapon led to the design of the M31 which had a maximum range of 4325 metres compared to the 2800 metres of the M30. This payload was delivered from a metal framework mounted on the chassis of a Studebaker US6 truck. Each rocket was armed with a 28.9kg warhead and when combined on mass, the BM-31-12 proved extremely effective during the closing stages of the war in particular during the fierce street fighting during the Battle of Berlin.

Assembling The BM-31-12 Katyusha
Step 1. Begin by attaching the rocket pod grill to the front of the rocket pod.		Step 2. Next, attach the Y-shaped support bracket to underside of the rocket pod.

Below: The Y-shaped support bracket attaches to the underside of the rocket pod via the plug and notches shown in the examples below.		Step 3. With the Y-shaped support bracket in place, its time to add the U-shaped support bracket.

Below: The U-shaped support bracket attaches the bottom rocket pod via notches shown in the examples below and then mates with the Y-shaped support bracket.		Step 4. Next, attach the fully-assembled rocket pod to the deck of the one-piece resin truck.

Below: The examples of the locations where the rocket pod attaches to the deck of the one-piece resin truck.		Below: With the rocket pod in place; the BM-31-12 Katyusha is now fully-assembled and ready for crew to be added.

Adding Crew Figures
Step 1. Attach an NCO figure to each of the one-piece resin bases.	Step 2. Next, add the crew figures carrying the rockets. The rocket bearing figures are designed to work together as seen in the examples below.

Below: The Kneeling rocket bearing figures and how they work together.		Below: The crew figures positions around the BM-31-12 Katyusha.

Step 3. Any holes in the bases that still filling can be filled with the scenic plugs provided in the box set.	Below: An example of the scenic plugs in use.