Here are some pictures for the first dry-fit of the gun support. I could not finish the beast because the drive shaft to the elevation mechanism requires careful fitting of a plastic cap that will center that axle for generations to come. I used instant glue but want to wait for everything to set before ultimate assembly.

I did not attach the compensators yet, that is for later for the knobs that enable them to move are rather fragile so I prefer to stress them only once.

Like this, you already get an idea of the size of this thing. It's complicated looks are also appealing to me. Certainly one of the most complex models I ever built!

Have a nice evening!

Hi everyone, here is the first dry fit of the main gun arrangements. I have not added the gunners' stand nor the fuse setters and loading mechanism but wanted to check the outline of the gun first.

I noticed that the metal barrels would be way to heavy for the - poly cap based - fixture for the elevation shaft. Therefore I modified it again, using a long 2mm screw I had in the spares' box. Now the shaft is aligned and it is possible to add tension to the elevation shaft mechanism ex-post. In the absence of that, the guns would have returned to the depressed position either immediately or while slowly creeping down. There was not really an option, so the one thing I don't like is the little screwhead-washer arrangement as it is not on scale but there was not really much of an option.

I am pleased with the outline, seems that the barrels are in the same elevation and are quite parallel. I did not glue the barrels fixed for I need to cleanse them with alcohol prior to painting.

Hope you like it!

Happy modeling!

Great progress, Michel @michel-verschuere
Complex it is indeed, but everything looks perfectly aligned.

This evening, I passed over one hour solving mechanics problems and documenting them here. The good news is it was not quantum mechanics!

Throughout the day I thought about how to solve the elevation shaft issue for good. The last version (2.0, there was a 1.0 too) was not optimal. The screw I employed was not the best choice and chances were that at some point it would loosen. Therefore I thought of version 3.0 and implemented it.

You can see the assembly in this picture:

I used a 16mm M3 screw this time that passes through a short 11mm piece of aluminum tube without tension. It then enters the first gear for a distance of about 4.5 mm and I tightened it. Then follows a 2mm brass tube for the remainder of the length as a core upon which styrene tubes and the second gear ensure optimal distance between the gears and the side panels. I managed to complete this to an accuracy of less than half a millimeter, so this will do I think. I have no special equipment other than a ruler and a pair of trained 45-year-old eyes.


I dry fitted the guns. The first one clamps in against the gear, the second one ducks still because the core is not glued yet, this is for tomorrow. I Think this will be the permanent solution to the problem so actual building of the gun can resume.

I hope I'm not boring you with this, but without this technical problem resolved you can not use the metal barrels AND have the elevation workable. The backside is that the screwhead is visible but I am thinking about covering it so it blends in in fact with the model.

Take care folks and happy modeling!

Ingenious engineering, my friend @michel-verschuere! This is some serious precision job!

These cannons are really starting to look the part, Michel (@michel-verschuere). I would hate to be on the receiving end of the real ones.

Great step, Michel @michel-verschuere
A busy workbench you have there but very organized.

Very cool! The cannon do look impressive indeed.