Making 1/72 Caissons (1 Viewer)

[Captain]

For Civil War, I would suggest painting the limbers and caissons an olive green with replicated metal parts painted black. These were the colors of the vehicles as well as the cannons. Also, the lids were actually metal, copper color, with a canvas strapped on the lid. The horses were also tethered in tandem with chains. Let me suggest that you check Arms and Equipment of the Civil War by Coggins. It has an excellent portrayal of how the horses were tied together and with the saddles on one side. I use small chains from a craft store. Also my caissons and limbers were purchased from a gift shop in Gettysburg, already made and of metal construction. They may be a tad larger in scale but not noticeable even with 1/32 figures next to them. I painted them as above. They were so inexpensive that I plan to buy more to complete a battery of artillery. The only problem is finding horses, some of which I purchased from Schlege but I had to paint the bridles and other strappings.

Thank you for your suggestions. I am very familiar with the workings of horse drawn artillery of that period. I choose not to detail these due to their small scale. I have however had great fun detailing some 1/32 plastic artillery pieces with the D-rings, implement hangers, brake chains etc. I have yet to come up with a decent elevating screw yet. The color I've painted these with is a color that I've found on original equipment and is my color of choice. When mixing the original formula the more black that is added the more Green the color becomes. The less black the more yellow. The lighting in the pictures make them appear a much brighter yellow than they actually are. The Canvas that is sometimes strapped to the lid of the boxes is actually a tarp that can be used to cover the equipment. The box lids were usually clad in copper but I have seen original limber boxes that also used tin that was painted black. Thanks for the input.

 

[tom13235]

For Civil War, I would suggest painting the limbers and caissons an olive green with replicated metal parts painted black. These were the colors of the vehicles as well as the cannons. Also, the lids were actually metal, copper color, with a canvas strapped on the lid. The horses were also tethered in tandem with chains. Let me suggest that you check Arms and Equipment of the Civil War by Coggins. It has an excellent portrayal of how the horses were tied together and with the saddles on one side. I use small chains from a craft store. Also my caissons and limbers were purchased from a gift shop in Gettysburg, already made and of metal construction. They may be a tad larger in scale but not noticeable even with 1/32 figures next to them. I painted them as above. They were so inexpensive that I plan to buy more to complete a battery of artillery. The only problem is finding horses, some of which I purchased from Schlege but I had to paint the bridles and other strappings.

I too recommend Coggins book and the Caissons you purchased. It is interesting to note the vehicle could be towed on its' own with a limber.