So with these pieces. Intended as 57mm Anti-tank guns, they look sort of OK, but the trouble was that [a] I made the gun shield too large, and [b] set the whole gun too far back on the axle. After much humming and hahring, and indrawn breath through the teeth, I find I can't live with them as 57mm anti-tank guns. Aty the same time, the construction is such that modification (disassembly and reassembly) is not really an option.
What to do then? Of course they don't look bad enough, as guns, for me to dismantle them; and indeed they look none too dissimilar to later model 76.2mm field/anti-tank weapons. And so they'll become. Incidentally, the gun barrels on these are lengths of wooden rod (dowel) obtained from the local modelling shop. The 57mm AT guns will be a project for another day, destined (of course) for the 1st Guards Mechanised Brigade.
Why 'Guards'? Well, my 1st Mech Bde wargames formation has been in existence some 20+ years now, and, with one unfortunate exception, has never lost a battle. In a Command Decision competition back in '93, its seven T34/76s and 'Experienced' infantry took on 'veterans' and even 'elites'; King Tigers, Panthers, Comets and Challengers, and fought them all to a standstill (3 draws out of 3). Only one such opponent had as few as my 7 tanks, and 3 of those were King Tigers. I was very proud of my Brigade's performance that weekend. A small tactical error on my part robbed them of victory over the elite guys, too.
They deserve their 'Guards' appellation!
very nice. I must get around to making or buying some guns. can I use bamboo scures? or tooth pics as I do not have dowl well for anything except a 150mm or 175mm gun or around that size
ReplyDeleteToothpick would be suitable for anything up to 76.2mm (3 inch) at a pinch. Fot long guns, though, a toothpick might be too short. I'd probably use it for 20mm up to 57mm or 6-inch; and maybe for short 75s/76s/3-inch guns. Skewers are also OK and could go for larger guns, or 80mm mortars. You might want something fatter still for guns and mortars of over 105 mm.
ReplyDeleteBut its a good idea to measure the thickness, bearing in mind 1mm represents 76.2mm or 3-inches exactly in 1:76 scale. So a gun of that calibre has to have (or be capable of having) a 1mm bore. So the model gun should have a thickness of at least 1.5mm, and even 2mm would look OK. A 6"/150mm/152mm gun shpould have an overall thickness of 3mm at least, though 4mm would probably look better.
You might want to buff a skewer all round with fine sandpaper, though, to get the right sort of finish. Good quality toothpicks should be OK as is.
Incidentally, toothpicks make fine axles...
Cheers,
Ion
Ion, the scratch builiding of things like guns just amazes me. Esp when they come out looking so good! (even if not exactly what you intended.)
ReplyDeleteThe Guards look/sound to me like they have well earned their title.
-Ross
Thanks, Ross. I still have one or two scratchbuilt vehicles to show...
DeleteMy Russians (a.k.a Pan-Andean People's Republican army) now comprises several formations, of which this mechanised Brigade is the senior (seniest? seniorest?). Included is a Tank Bde, and several Rifle brigades of varying composition. Eventually I hope to show some action... One day...
Perhaps each tank in the brigade deserves an additional badge of honour painted on the turret?
ReplyDeleteThat's a thought, sure! I haven't really considered it, which, now that I think about it, is a bit surprising, as I used to note good performances in battles of other periods. Thanks for the idea, Prince Lupus...
DeleteCheers,
Ion