Coming along nicely, Lou.

DJ - I had the same thoughts about building one, until I saw one completed at a show a few months ago. Man, it's huge!

Lou,
This is coming along well. I made this same build 4 years ago in 1/72 with the Hobby Boss kits, and I thought they were big...can't imagine 1/35th! More power to ya!

Here's a link to my build (different profile):
1/72 BR 52 & Krupp K5

Hope this might help with your build.

Happy modelling,
Andrew

It has been awhile since I have posted an up date. Between doing a lot of History teaching and things like a short in the home AC unit,I haven't been at the work table as much.The head gardener also keeps me busy as out side this is prime gardening/planting weather. Low to upper 70s. Later it gets too hot.

I would like to say something to all of you. I feel very what ok unskilled. I see what everyone posts and my work s just not as good.You guys do great work. Artists. Somewhere in the bowels of my K-5e something is glued slightly off. That plus my gluing the plastic trunions (kit trunions) then having to gouge them out and use some brass rod for trunions,well diameters etc are a tiny bit off.OK wonky!Add it up and the trunions are off. I uses 5 min epoxy to glue the trunions to the base. The gun is not permantly in a 50 degree position(the actual gun used 50 degrees for max range.Then I test fitted the trunion caps and ,oooops. they don't cover the brass tube(remember it;s diam is a bit bigger than the original. So using the epoxy(for strength) I glued some strip material to fill the gap. I will glue the trunion caps on later.

When I used brute strength to make the trunions fit into the holder 2 things happened. On 1 side the deck broke free and opened a gap. On the other side the trunion mount broke free of the deck,I epoxied the deck gap and I will epoxy the other trunion mount today. The good news and the bad. The good is I test fitted the metal barrel and everything held so it is going to work.,plus it looks really gig and spectacular!To my eyes at least.The only negative is the breech,where I did a really good job is completely hidden. But hey I know it is there!

The bad is it will not fit on the shelf I initially planned on displaying it.So it goes on the top shelf of the display.

Once I glue(epoxy) the gun to the deck I will finish up the crane the generator , sights(panoramic telescope.) ets.

I wish one of the references would show/describe the placement and use of the aiming stakes,The German survey methods etc. The gunnery aspects. It must be similar to my old M-107 175mm gun. Rotation of the earth etc. I do know the preheated their powder to get max muzzle velocity.Also they had to have been really careful laying tracks due to barrel cant. Remember these were not precision weapons. they were very accurate area weapons.For example the targets would be rail yards,airfields etc.

I know most of you enter model contests etc. My efforts pale in comparison.I am doing my best.I think it will look good enough for any who come to my house. At the very least they will say that is huge what is it. They won't see the trunion errors etc.

Finally I found a product it is PERFECT PLASTIC PUTTY made by deluxematerials.com I bought it on e-bay about $10 price plus shipping from England. I like it because it is easy to use and after being applied I moisten my finger(spit) and it can be cleaned and smoothed. When you make as many mistakes as I do ,it is handy! I just discovered the US distributor is Horizon hobby in Il. horizonhobby .com

Next hurdle is applying the rotbrun option of the camouflage scheme.
Attached are pictures of the build up to today 30 APRIL 2013[URL=http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/redleg99999/media/DSCN1689_zpsdba21890.jpg.html]
[URL=http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/redleg99999/media/DSCN1677_zpsa9836335.jpg.html][URL=http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/redleg99999/media/DSCN1678_zps34a1b266.jpg.html][URL=http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/redleg99999/media/DSCN1679_zpse150c4ff.jpg.html][URL=http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/redleg99999/media/DSCN1680_zps74904ce2.jpg.html][URL=http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/redleg99999/media/DSCN1682_zps82b55e62.jpg.html][URL=http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/redleg99999/media/DSCN1688_zps4accc9f2.jpg.html][URL=http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/redleg99999/media/DSCN1689_zpsdba21890.jpg.html][URL=http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/redleg99999/media/DSCN1683_zps23416056.jpg.html][URL=http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/redleg99999/media/DSCN1684_zps42df34da.jpg.html]

Sorry here are the photos

Lou-- can you send a photo of the area you are going to display this monster in when completed? You must have a mansion.
Garry Owen
DJ

It has been awhile since I have posted an up date. Between doing a lot of History teaching and things like a short in the home AC unit,I haven't been at the work table as much.The head gardener also keeps me busy as out side this is prime gardening/planting weather. Low to upper 70s. Later it gets too hot.

I would like to say something to all of you. I feel very what ok unskilled. I see what everyone posts and my work s just not as good.You guys do great work. Artists. Somewhere in the bowels of my K-5e something is glued slightly off. That plus my gluing the plastic trunions (kit trunions) then having to gouge them out and use some brass rod for trunions,well diameters etc are a tiny bit off.OK wonky!Add it up and the trunions are off. I uses 5 min epoxy to glue the trunions to the base. The gun is not permantly in a 50 degree position(the actual gun used 50 degrees for max range.Then I test fitted the trunion caps and ,oooops. they don't cover the brass tube(remember it;s diam is a bit bigger than the original. So using the epoxy(for strength) I glued some strip material to fill the gap. I will glue the trunion caps on later.

When I used brute strength to make the trunions fit into the holder 2 things happened. On 1 side the deck broke free and opened a gap. On the other side the trunion mount broke free of the deck,I epoxied the deck gap and I will epoxy the other trunion mount today. The good news and the bad. The good is I test fitted the metal barrel and everything held so it is going to work.,plus it looks really gig and spectacular!To my eyes at least.The only negative is the breech,where I did a really good job is completely hidden. But hey I know it is there!

The bad is it will not fit on the shelf I initially planned on displaying it.So it goes on the top shelf of the display.

Once I glue(epoxy) the gun to the deck I will finish up the crane the generator , sights(panoramic telescope.) ets.

I wish one of the references would show/describe the placement and use of the aiming stakes,The German survey methods etc. The gunnery aspects. It must be similar to my old M-107 175mm gun. Rotation of the earth etc. I do know the preheated their powder to get max muzzle velocity.Also they had to have been really careful laying tracks due to barrel cant. Remember these were not precision weapons. they were very accurate area weapons.For example the targets would be rail yards,airfields etc.

I know most of you enter model contests etc. My efforts pale in comparison.I am doing my best.I think it will look good enough for any who come to my house. At the very least they will say that is huge what is it. They won't see the trunion errors etc.

Finally I found a product it is PERFECT PLASTIC PUTTY made by deluxematerials.com I bought it on e-bay about $10 price plus shipping from England. I like it because it is easy to use and after being applied I moisten my finger(spit) and it can be cleaned and smoothed. When you make as many mistakes as I do ,it is handy! I just discovered the US distributor is Horizon hobby in Il. horizonhobby .com

Next hurdle is applying the rotbrun option of the camouflage scheme.

Exceptional work! You are really blazing through this one. The only criticism I have is your figures. You need some touch up along the belt and strap lines. I use a fine line brush, 10/0 for these. It just requires a steady hand and double check with a magnifier. Reading glasses work well, for this. Looks like I am going to be building a dedicated shelf, because I must have one. lol

Here is where I plan to put the K-5e. The top shelf.
Thank you for the link to the 1/72 scale. WOW that is a thing of beauty!!! It also gives me references for a few things.
Re the figures,I agree they need work. I will get to them after the gun is completed.
It is big. I had planned to use the 2nd shelf down but having to glue the barrel at 50 degrees well top now.
My next build will either be a hook(CH-47 Chinook in 35 scale or a 1/35 54cm sp morser Loki or Thor. I like big guns. I will have an OH-6, A HUEY AND NOW A HOOK, All of which rode in or used in other places,

OH,SORRY ABOUT THE DOUBLE POST. I WILL TRY NOT TO DO IT AGAIN!

ALSO SCARLET GUIDON 6 "the big voice of Garry Owen"

Here is more work fixing the trunions . I put more putty to square off and smooth. I still have sanding to do but it will now look like one piece
I have worked /glued some of the Eduard photo etch bits. They ate shown in one photo. I have also glued parts of other sub assemblies The barrel lock, the Brass canister catcher and the trunion cross over steps.Finally a $4.50 box I got from Hobby Lobby ,I use it to store sub assemblies. It keeps everything separate and helps prevent losing tiny bits,plus once off the sprue it keeps parts together for easier construction..

Keep at it. For parts storage boxes, I use the divided plastic ones you can get at Wal-Mart or the dollar store. They run about $7, but I find them to be perfect. I try to have one box for each model I am building.

Hey Lou, never feel the need to apologize for your modeling skills. Remember, the best modellers in the world were at the exact same skill level as you at one time in their past.

The other thing I'd like to say is don't be afraid to ask for help with a problem when you run into one. There are plenty of people on here who would be more than happy to share their thoughts on possible solutions. In doing so, you might save yourself some headaches, come up with a cleaner build, and improve your skills.

First Thank you for the kind words! Getting older plays havoc with eye hand coordination. So here we go.Internet was down for 6 days.
As an Artilleryman I can see the mistakes,but since 99% of the viewers will not know the difference. The first pic is before,rough fixing of trunion misfit. The next few are the smoothed primed and finally the finished trunion. I also fixed the gaps in the carriage. I have added the breech block persuader.They used this when the breech block got jammed several men grasped the handle and whacked away at the block until it moved.

I have also decanted one spray can on Tayima TS-3 dark yellow,now I have touch up paint that matches the rest of the Leopold.The last photo is of the rear bulkhead ladders. I have used epoxy glue on several parts to ensure holding and even as a filler. Seems to work great. On one photo I have temp tacked the canister tray. I am sanding the ladders so they look better. one good thing the barrel will stay up and not fall.
I will be adding lots of bits soon. Will post then.














Oh I just got new glasses so maybe I can see better!!!

We all make mistakes. I'm becoming a master of hiding them. I burned my panzer iii and had to find a way to fix it, without repainting the entire kit. I'm no master. Some people have been building for +20 years or so. I'm really enjoying your build, even though I don't have enough room to build one.

I know what you mean about having room, and here I must Bragg. I am married (42yrs) to the best ARMY/ARTILLERY wife there is.I have 2 rooms to display( see previous photos) and she lets me use the dining room table to work. The K-5e has been there for 4 months so far. I am however under a time constraint. It must be completed by 1 July,guests coming.

To the build last night I completed the hoist. Photo to follow. I used some very thin braided wire. I want to thank Andrew G ,call sign APALELLA. He linked me to his 1/72 build. There I saw the CORRECT way of rigging it! I was planning to do it wrong!

There are gauges and dials to be done. I went online and downloaded pics of gauges etc. I plan on making decals. Will show and advise results..

I think I will stop gluing and do a bit of painting . I have discovered I like AV paints.Plus now I have touchup paint as I have decanted a Tamiya rattle can.

I need advice. I plan on adding the Rotbrun camo. I have a jar of paint and a rattle can. I want soft edges, I am pretty good at masking . the barrel is no problem but the carriage and rail trucks are? Don't say air brush. Ok I wait any suggestions. Right now off to Wally world to get my new glasses.

To achieve a feathered edge, by hand is very simple. Paint the camo on, with a hard edge. After it has dried, go back along the edges with either rotbrun or you base and dry brush it.

Thank you for the camo input! The photos I checked,again,do seem to be hard edge,so that's how I think I'll do it.

Now you old pros can laugh but I discovered something. On the gunners platform and the generator unit there are gauges. Painting too finicky and difficult. Of make decals. I GOOGLED industrial gauges. found some in white and in black. I also found some automobile dash pics. I used save inage,then used paint to reduce reduce reduce,until they were tiny enough to fit te kit gauge circles. I used my HP 8600 on best quality to print a test page. All different sizes etc. The sheet of very bright white looked good. Then I went on e bay and found some German labels signs etc. Saved images. Then I cut out the gauges and the signs with my exact. I used Elmer's glue(very thin) to glue the gauges(paper) to the kit) looked very good. Then I used a tiny drop of canopy glue(dries clear) to simulate glass on gauges. They are so tiny all you can see are some faint dials. I used some black w/white dials and some white with black indicators.Then I Googled German safety signs and found one with benzine and some electrical signs. I put them in several areas and darn if it doesn't look good I will take pics tomorrow for you.
I am trying to post a copy of the printed sheet.

AS promised here are some photos of the dials and warning signs on the Generator unit and the gunners platform. Also you can see the crane (Temp stuck ) to the Generator unit. You can see the rigging. I still need to straighten it and load the ammo tray to it but it is getting there.
I know that some of the signage is not shown on any pics but I should think they(Germans) would post electrical and fuel warning signs,if only to stop them from blowing themselves up!
Here are the photos hope you like my efforts.While not perfect I think they look realistic!

A little touch up on the dial and gauge bezels, will make this one a winner. The crane would implement a steel cable, not rope. So, no fraying. Will the wild strands be taken care of, during the straightening?

I have enjoyed reading your build blog here. It has given me a few heads up on what to expect if and when I build my own. Just for clarification you double walled the inner carriage. Did you use any other cross bracing? We all learn from each other that is why we have such forums. This has been a learning experience. Thanks again.

Picky picky,LOLOLOL

Retired yank good point, I just painted the wire oily steel. And I promise to trim up the frayed wire. In my Army days and cable with frays like that would be changed and condemned. By the bezels you mean the outer rim ,right? I plan on doing that with a permanent marker. Black or grey as the case may be.
As an aside I used several shades of pink and others to shade the figures faces and hands. Worked pretty well.

Re Trevor Snyder /Snorri23, Yes I found a set of carriage walls on e bay bought them and strengthened the carriage walls.I don't think you will be able to do that.

TO ALL WHO READ I STILL HAVE 2 OUTER CARRIAGE PIECES FOR THE TRUMPETER KIT THEY AREN'T IN PERFECT CONDITION BUT THEY ARE FREE TO A GOOD HOME. JUST LET ME KNOW AND I'LL MAIL THEM TO YOU. JUST TO USA. MAILING ELSEWHERE IS TOO EXPENSIVE.


I didn't cross brace ,I did not make new bulkheads. I greatly over killed. I got worried about the metal barrel weight. Then I glued the kit trunions and had to rip them out and use brass tubing(a bit too big), This means the I had to glut the barrel in one position. Lots of corrections and repairs as you can see.

I f you use the kit barrel you do not have to do anything extra at all..

Coming right along, Lou. Great job on the gauges and signage. They add a lot to the build.

Hello all. It is Sunday night and I have been getting some work done.Here are the current photos. I have started the Rotbrun Camo on the barrel,
I also have started on the rail trucks.I have tried to do the camoflage random and correct. I have glued the Generator unit crane on.put railings on and the open doors,so you can see the gauges
. I also have mocked up the ammo hoist and the ammo cart. The breech gun platform is on. I made the trunion grab handles ,the step over and other tiny parts. These are Eduard parts,the grab handles are wire I bent to shape. Tiny and a few were eaten by the carpet monster. So I just made another.
Ok I think it is starting to look like the K-3e that was painted and readied for the Africa Corps then stopped and sent with one named Robert to ANZIO where it became Anzio Annie and the Anzio Express.

As an artilleryman I think the Gun drill on this piece must have been interesting. I would love to see the gunbunny manual.he ballet of the process would be nice.

I also mocked up the gun-laying platform the interesting thing is I honestly just put gauges on ,but then I saw a movie and the gauges I made are pretty accurate.

Well here it is and it is coming together.''

Getting down to the home stretch now, Lou.