Britains Heavy Howitzer re-make (1 Viewer)

[Obee]

JB,

great solution to your problem ....

now you need a limber .....



John

 

[theBaron]

What were the original shells that came with this made of? Were they cast metal, too, or were they wooden? In any case, I bet it'd be easy enough to get a dowel of the right diameter (caliber ), cut it in pieces to the proper length, and turn them to shape, just to have some to fire.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Go for Broke]

looking good JB. Really nice.

 

[4th Hussar]

What were the original shells that came with this made of? Were they cast metal, too, or were they wooden? In any case, I bet it'd be easy enough to get a dowel of the right diameter (caliber ), cut it in pieces to the proper length, and turn them to shape, just to have some to fire.

Prost!
Brad

The were raw lead, I have 6 or 8 of them

 

[Obee]

The were raw lead, I have 6 or 8 of them

If I can recall to my childhood, there was a cartridge case that had a spring in it, the projectile ( lead, like you say) was then slipped onto that and the whole round into the breech, close the breechblock and fire the gun.

The firing clicked onto the cartridge and then the spring sent the projectile out of the barrel to knock down the opposing army ... GREAT FUN

John

 

[Al Fisher]

Actually the driver is pretty special, too. Haven't seen one like it before. Do you know the manufacturer?

Bosun Al

 

[Obee]

Actually the driver is pretty special, too. Haven't seen one like it before. Do you know the manufacturer?

Bosun Al

He come from John Eden Studios and John can supply with various heads and arms.
I have used them as gun crew for WW1 British Artillery too, seen here with another couple of poses manning a Scale Link 18Pdr.



John

 

[johnnybach]

If I can recall to my childhood, there was a cartridge case that had a spring in it, the projectile ( lead, like you say) was then slipped onto that and the whole round into the breech, close the breechblock and fire the gun.

The firing clicked onto the cartridge and then the spring sent the projectile out of the barrel to knock down the opposing army ... GREAT FUN

John

Absolutely correct John. There is also a "loading plate" to help with the assembly of the round - in the complete set. Unfortunately, bits frequently get lost, and you rarely see them offered without the gun. I'm investigating a "replica maker" from Spain, I think, but there's no mention of the vital spring in the description - so I think it may just be something that looks like the real deal.

You are also correct that they were often fired at "the enemy" - which is one reason I keep the Repairs section quite busy jb

 

[johnnybach]

He come from John Eden Studios and John can supply with various heads and arms.
I have used them as gun crew for WW1 British Artillery too, seen here with another couple of poses manning a Scale Link 18Pdr.

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John

Again - quite correct John - John Eden Studios, who also made the Tractor in kit form. He's marked "ROSE" under the stand - but I believe John Eden bought up the rights and moulds of several of Andrew Rose's items several years ago. I may be requiring some more similar figures from the Eden Studios later on - to crew up for some more Artillery that I have been collecting parts for. I'll be looking closely at your web-site for them John, for ideas and inspiration!:smile2:

I'll just have to see what missing parts I can obtain - as most of what I have is broken or incomplete at the moment. The usual way - is to eventually find several broken examples - and scavenge the usable parts to make up a complete version, though sometimes, I can fabricate missing parts from scratch.

On this pairing of Tractor and Howitzer however, I've just done the last touch-ups and sealed them with a coat of Gloss Humbrol varnish - so it should all be completely dry soon - when I'll post some completed pics of the ensemble later on today.

Then I can have a good play with it!{sm3} jb

 

[johnnybach]

JB,

great solution to your problem ....

now you need a limber .....

View attachment 224118

John

I'll keep on looking for a suitable candidate - though I'm thinking that I might attempt to fabricate some parts for one. Thanks for the pic.:salute::

Don't forget though - my idea is for an Artillery Park - so if the guns were being moved around - they wouldn't necessarily hitch a limber up too. As your article clearly states - the Steam Tractor was a real give-away because of the clouds of smoke and steam they emitted. They were far better suited to moving large guns - way behind the lines.

Ever heard the term "9 mile snipers" ??? ^&grin jb

 

[johnnybach]

Okay - thanks for all the comments and advice - which is really appreciated by me - as I'm a novice to Artillery.

Here's a few pics of my completed set, comprising Steam Tractor - towing a (Britains) Heavy Howitzer, which has been repaired and is being put back into service. Remember, this one is an almalgamation of parts from the First version (Carriage and wheels), and a Second version (Barrel and recoil mechanism) - or top and bottm bits, as I first called them. The driver was also supplied by John Eden Studios.

Hope you enjoy them half as much as I do. jb :salute::

 

[theBaron]

That's a beautiful set now, John! It will make a most impressive display.

And thanks to 4th Hussar for clarifying what the original shells were made of. In that case, I'd still make mine from wood, especially if I wanted to fire them. Dowels cut to length and chucked into a rotary tool or a drill, and then turned and sanded to shape.

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

That's a beautiful set now, John! It will make a most impressive display.

And thanks to 4th Hussar for clarifying what the original shells were made of. In that case, I'd still make mine from wood, especially if I wanted to fire them. Dowels cut to length and chucked into a rotary tool or a drill, and then turned and sanded to shape.

Prost!
Brad

With this piece, the all important bits are the shell casing - and the spring that's loaded INSIDE them though Brad. That's the bit that propels the shot from the barrel. The actual shot can be anything really, and I'm guessing that they would be easy enough ( for someone competent with casting) to cast up from lead.

Anyone out there who could be persuaded to part with just one???? I'd be prepared to swap them for something they would like, perhaps?????jb

 

[theBaron]

With this piece, the all important bits are the shell casing - and the spring that's loaded INSIDE them...

OK, I think I misunderstood how this model works. So the shells are hollow and each has a spring inside? I pictured rather a mechanism in which the howitzer's barrel itself contained a spring-loaded mechanism that fired solid rounds. In that case, yes, making new ones is going to be more complicated than just shaping the projectile.

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

OK, I think I misunderstood how this model works. So the shells are hollow and each has a spring inside? I pictured rather a mechanism in which the howitzer's barrel itself contained a spring-loaded mechanism that fired solid rounds. In that case, yes, making new ones is going to be more complicated than just shaping the projectile.

Prost!
Brad

Hi Brad - I've just lifted this pic from the Internet ( so don't know who owns it - but hope they don't mind me using it as an illustration - thanks go to whoever it is.).



It shows just about everything right for this model of a Britains Howitzer - including the shells and the loader at the bottom. You can clearly see how the shells have a spring inserted and the shot itself. When loaded on top of the shell casing, one can be inserted into the breech, which is then closed and locked - and the weapon can be fired by tweaking the trigger, which actually moves a firing pin in the breech.

So much like the real thing, it's almost untrue - except there's no explosive, but the spring inside the shell is the force to propel the shot from the barrel instead. It's a really impressive and cleverly constructed piece - and best of all - I now own one!!!{sm4} jb

 

[johnnybach]

I'll keep on looking for a suitable candidate - though I'm thinking that I might attempt to fabricate some parts for one. Thanks for the pic.:salute::

Don't forget though - my idea is for an Artillery Park - so if the guns were being moved around - they wouldn't necessarily hitch a limber up too. As your article clearly states - the Steam Tractor was a real give-away because of the clouds of smoke and steam they emitted. They were far better suited to moving large guns - way behind the lines.

Ever heard the term "9 mile snipers" ??? ^&grin jb

John - I've been trying to find more detailed pics of a limber for the 18" Howtzer - and can't seem to find one. It has beeen suggested to me by another friend, that maybe there was never a limber for such a size of gun as that - as the shells were too big - and it was supplied with ammo from other means ( such as trucks).

Do you have any pics at all for such a limber - if one ever existed for this calibre of weapon??? jb

 

[Artillery_crazy]

Hi JB,
A limber in the true sense ( ammo cassion ) no, but as per Obee´s picture on an earlier thread a set of manuvering wheels definitely yes....otherwise it would not move under traction.....be it animal or mechanic.
Cheers
AC

John - I've been trying to find more detailed pics of a limber for the 18" Howtzer - and can't seem to find one. It has beeen suggested to me by another friend, that maybe there was never a limber for such a size of gun as that - as the shells were too big - and it was supplied with ammo from other means ( such as trucks).

Do you have any pics at all for such a limber - if one ever existed for this calibre of weapon??? jb

 

[theBaron]

Wow, thanks for illustrating that, John! That is an intricate toy, indeed. It makes me think of Britain's origins as a maker of mechanical toys, before producing toy soldiers. Yeah, reproducing that would be a relatively complicated operation, though not impossible, and if you or anyone could do it, it'd be like winning the season championship in whatever sport we'd care to choose.

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

Hi JB,
A limber in the true sense ( ammo cassion ) no, but as per Obee´s picture on an earlier thread a set of manuvering wheels definitely yes....otherwise it would not move under traction.....be it animal or mechanic.
Cheers
AC

It can be done Luiz.

 

[Artillery_crazy]

Hi John,
Yes it can be done, for short distances, and as long as you have the hooking pole!...The Gent in question in the photo is doing it for a short distance on parade ground quality ground, I would question if he were to try that on rough terrain...I have seen a direct engagement only on certain WW2 and modern guns that have the layout set for that......For those of us that ever have had to tag along a boat or a camper....you will remember that there is a little contraption that resembles a pole that extends from the actual trailer/volume being hauled and the actual hook on the " pulling vehicle"...you need that so as to provide maneuverability.
Cheers
Luiz

It can be done Luiz.

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