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2S9 "Nona-S"
120mm Self-Propelled Mortar System

345th Independent Guards Airborne Regiment, Soviet Army
345th Independent Guards Airborne Regiment
Soviet–Afghan War
Bagram, Afghanistan 1988


ACE Models

This model added to kgwings.com on February 9, 2017

KG Wings - ACE Model 1:72 scale model of the 2S9 Self-propelled mortar

The 2S9 "Nona-S" is a lightweight air-droppable self-propelled mortar system designed to support Soviet airborne assault divisions. It entered service in 1981 but was not publicly introduced until 1985. Around 1,000 vehicles were built with some still serving today.

ACE Model 1:72 scale model of 2S9 Nona-S Self Propelled Mortar System

The primary weapon of the 2S9 is a 120mm breach-loaded heavy field mortar fitted to a powered turret mounted on the hull of a BTR-D air assault transporter. This mortar can be used for direct or indirect fire with a range of 8.85 km to 12.8 km depending on the type of projectiles, 40 to 60 rounds can be carried.

ACE Model 1:72 scale model of 2S9 Nona-S Self Propelled Mortar System

The 2S9 has a crew of four, including commander, gunner, loader and driver. Thin aluminum armor provides protection against small arms fire and artillery shrapnel. NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems are fitted as well as a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun for local defense.

ACE Model 1:72 scale model of 2S9 Nona-S Self Propelled Mortar System

The Nona-S proved to be effective in mountainous terrain during the Soviet war in Afghanistan. It could engage targets not accessible to ordinary guns and howitzers, because of elevation range.

ACE Model 1:72 scale model of 2S9 Nona-S Self Propelled Mortar System

Like most soviet-era vehicles of this class, the 2S9 is fully amphibious propelled by twin waterjets located at the lower rear of the hull.

ACE Model 1:72 scale model of 2S9 Nona-S Self Propelled Mortar System

About the kit: Typical of most ACE kits, this is a short-run kit that requires extra cleanup and careful test fitting and sanding. Also of typical of most ACE kits, it's an interesting but rarely modeled subject that they've managed to represent very well.

ACE Model 1:72 scale model of 2S9 Nona-S Self Propelled Mortar System
If I were to do it again I'd go ahead and build my kit in firing position with the suspension and tracks in the relaxed/squatting postion. It's such an interesting feature of the vehicle that it deserves to be shown and talked about.
ACE Model 1:72 scale model of 2S9 Nona-S Self Propelled Mortar System

Aligning the suspension and roadwheels on this kit is a difficult task and you can see here that I did a pretty sloppy job. Luckily it's not as noticeable from other angles but enough to make me frown a bit.

ACE Model 1:72 scale model of 2S9 Nona-S Self Propelled Mortar System

My kit is from the first production run which came with photo-etched metal tracks. I found the metal tracks difficult to work with so I purchased these after market soft vinyl tracks online and discovered that these are the tracks included in the second production run by ACE.

ACE Model 1:72 scale model of 2S9 Nona-S Self Propelled Mortar System
My references indicated hard demarcation between colors so I used clear packaging tape to cut my masks. I worked out my patterns on the computer then printed them out at 1:1 so I could trace and compare easily.
ACE Model 1:72 scale model of 2S9 Nona-S Self Propelled Mortar System
With a little love and care this kit builds in to a very nice replica of a really interesting subject. I'm very happy with how it turned out.



ACE Model 2S9 Nona 1:72 scale model 72113
ACE Model
Kit: ACE Model #72113
1:72 Scale Model
Scale: 1/72
Value:

This kit is out of production. It was produced in short-runs so is likely difficult to find. Usually retails for around $20.00(U.S) or less, a pretty good value in the current market.

The Kit:

76 plastic parts on 4 sprues molded in white, 21 brass parts on one etched sheet, 1 decal sheet, 1 instruction sheet with basic painting/marking indications and a brief history of the vehicle.

Parts have good detail overall but require more than normal cleanup, lots of flash and thick sprue connections to sand. Carefull sanding and test fitting is required.

All hatches are positionable. Turret can be traversed and main gun can be elevated and lowered. Suspension could be modeled in firing or traveling position.

My kit was an early production run which included brass etched tracks, I found them very difficult to work with and not very convincing so I ordered aftermarket soft vinyl tracks which looked and worked beautifully. I found out later that these vinyl tracks are included in later production runs of this kit.

Assembly is very straightforward, no surprises. Getting all the separate suspension arms and roadwheels aligned proved to be impossible for me, I guess I just didn't have the patience to get them perfect.

Modifications:

I used small pieces of transparent sequins for periscopes and optics. Stretched sprue was used for radio antennae. Main gun barrel was drilled out.

Decals:

Decals are nicely printed, in register, sharp and opaque. Decals are provided to build 5 differernt options:

- Welding Unit of the Soviet Army, Roterplatz 1987
- Russian Protection Groups SFOR, Bosnia 1997
- Russian Protection Groups SFOR, Bosnia 1998
- Russian naval infantry, Black Sea 2001
- Russian VDV airborne unit, 2001

Conclusion:

Typical of short-run kits, this one takes a bit of extra effort, but it was worth it for me. If you are a fan of rarely seen Soviet armored vehicles, you should enjoy this one.

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