tthe box says the final build is 959mm L, 128mm W, 160mm H that would be 38" x 5" x 8" for us non metric folks. these things really were quite narrow. it’s one of those “who would thunk moments?” i always thought B-17s were huge until i climbed around inside one.
3 things to consider if your gun is going to be in pure travel mode: the generator/ammo handling box was transported on a separate car (LOW SIDED GONDOLA maybe), the rear truck was actually shifted 6 feet forward. if you look on the camo drawings of the TRUMPETER kit there is a bump on the bottom of the gun carriage forward of where it connects to the rear truck, and the side rails were folded down and a frame put over the gun and barrel to throw canvas over and make it look like a row of box cars.folding the rails down on any kit would be quite a chore.
I ordered the WR 360 C12 locomotive today. I need something to pull the Thor around. I was curious about using a diesel switcher to pull the mortar. Then I read somewhere that the C12 diesels were preferred because they didn’t emit a plum of steam and smoke which would tip off prowling fighters. Huh [*-)]
why hobbyboss and trumpeter did the C-12 instead of the more numerous C-14 is odd. the C-12 was not deployed outside of germany but that still leaves a lot of opportunity. they were used around munitions and in positioning the guns. i suspect they were also used in rail yards and along the docks. on a k-5 train they were not used for power during transit to the firing point. they were used after the gun arrived at or near its destination. haven’t seen any pics but i did one in gray and brown. BR-52 is sitting on kit track, diesel is sitting on home made track.
Thanks for the info. I should be able to finish my calculations now. Interesting facts about trying to hid it for transport, but I think I will stick to the kit directions. It can then stand on it’s own as a kit as well. Anyone who sees it will appreciate it if I could take it out of the case, stick the barrel up in the air and get the overall impression of the gun.
I’d like to join if I may. I bought these a while ago just because I liked them. When I saw this build was upcoming I was really happy to see it could fit somewhere. I first bought the Br52 because it was on sale for $19 and couldn’t pass it up. Naturally I couldn’t build it without something to pull so I found some armored cars. Not sure if its historically accurate but eh. I hope these two companies will fit on the same track but if mods need to be done, then that’s ok.
Here are the Models I’d like to participate with.
1/72 Br52 Kreigslokomotive by Hobby Boss
1/72 Light Armored Reconnaissance Car by UM Models
welcome. nice catch on the BR-52. i built one and JIBBER built the BR-86 so we have some lessons learned. i think the only german rail cars in 1/72 are UM and your 2 recon cars are self-propelled.
Cody thanks for coming along and I think you’ll really enjoy the Hobby Boss kit. One point if I may, make sure the frame is a perfect fit and test fit parts especially the boiler, after that it’s a real breeze. HB loco’s are real quality kits in 1/72 and please post some pics, we’d love to see your progress.
Well, I’ll start I guess. Again, working in this scale is completely new to me and I am impressed with the detail in this rather simple kit. I started with a Dragon high side gondola before jumping in on the BR-52 just to get my feet wet. Even after I mistakenly removed most of the locating pins, Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr, things are still fitting together fairly well. I will need to fart around with one of the brakes to get it to sit properly but all told I’m happy with my progress. I wonder why they didn’t include any of the brake actuator parts or lines when they seem to have taken great care detailing the rest of the parts. I think I will be adding some stuff. Like I need this project to get bigger.
Waynec- Aww no, the two are self propelled… well… They’re Broken! They need to be pulled!
Terry- Thank you for the heads-up! I appreciate ANY help I can get. I am pretty new to armor. Maybe about a year. I have built auto for about 11. Armor has been a really fun switch. I played “World of Tanks” after my accident and decided to make a few models of some of my favorites. That’s all it took. I was hooked permanently.
Nice progress Caveman. Like you said the molds look nicely detailed!
Caveman even with some of the pins removed you should get things squared away without to many issues and the gondola alone will build into a nice shelf piece, good start.
I think I should get started tomorrow on the BR86 loco, I spent the weekend going over the kit and instructions but then I wasted 3 hours watching the Lions lose….I’m hoping to have more luck than those guys!
Cody one more thing I was thinking over the weekend, theres a number of smaller parts that can be held off until the end that will probably get knocked off or broken that’ll be right in the way when you’re working, such as hoses, steps, handrails and couplers. I remember knocking then off more than once, anyway I thought it might help.
Cody one more thing that I had to figure out when I put the track together. I didn’t want to break off any of the small cleats on the ties when I pushed through the rails, so I took the edge of my blade and removed just enough material so that the rails slide in easy then its a simple matter of touching them up with a little glue. I don’t mean to interfere but I know I surely didn’t want to scratch out a new cleat when I was just getting started. Personally I’ve keep going back and forth with the idea of building my own track but in the interim, I’m going to use all the provided tracks to start. I think it’ll give me something to set it on or I might even build a jig to hold it in place while I work?
Just getting started on my BR86 Locomotive. Everything is built from the frame up, so I made sure that the frame is completely square and the cement set before proceeding. I did this by clamping the frames to a straight edge then once set I added other parts and taped them in. I’m going to let this rest for a while then get back to it.
i agree. i am doing the TRUMPETER GONDOLA so it will be interesting to compare how the companies approached them. if you are going to have a train the couplers need to work and you will have to scratch build the air hoses between the cars.
i am going to put the kit track together too for the same reasons TERRY mentioned.
WIP. the holes for the pins have to be reamed out. you will probably split the bottom of them but it won’t be noticeable. DO NOT get any cement on the pins as the pieces have to move in order to fit them on the side bar.
wasn’t sure which way these squares go so i left them off until i built the platform.
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