I have started the build blog but I would like to post here too for your comments and suggestions. I will post photos etc. I like and respect the fact that all of you are both honest and dare I say blunt! I now I have big paws and I am trying to do a good job.not a contest winner. It will sit among my other artillery related builds.

1.I got a Dragon Leopold K-5e Railway gun. I am a retired Artilleryman so I have built a bunch of US SP and Towed guns,I got to play with. Now I have a 1/35 54cm Loki Morser and the Leopold. I have ordered Verlinden Ammo, Eduard photo etc,Archer decals for Gun and crew.,Trumpeter K-5 crew plus the Dragon crew(supplied with gun). I plan on painting it the Dunklegelb and Rottbrun color scheme.

I will try to post photos as I build.I have never done a model this large. I will keep you all posted!
2 Re this project. I am at the research stage. I have the 6 crew figures that came with the kit.I have purchased the Trumpeter Leopold crew(6 figures). So my gun will have a 12 man crew. I have purchased and am waiting on the the following:
1. Resin barrel from Azimut
2. Resin Dragon detail kit from Azimut(mainly rail trucks/wheels assy)
3. 28cm projo markings from a German co
4.28 cm Grenates(rounds) from Roll models
5. From Archer helmet,uniform patches and shoulder boards(3 different sheets.) Leopold decal set.
6. An extra Heers uniform sheet because I have 12 figures.
I just love E bay
I hope to get started as soon as everything arrives.
Thank you for your help in locating the bits and pieces. I was going to get a turned metal barrel but T $ 86+ TOO EXPENSIVE.

Moderator might I recommend a website?
You have to register(free) it is militaryzone.info It is full of books and model info. To Access the model info you have to donate $12 but you get four weeks of downloading.
I will keep all posted.
By the way, I commanded/served is 105 mm ,155 Towed,155 sp,8in sp , M 107 175 mm sp gun units.

ARTILLERY THE KING OF BATTLE!!!

3 I bought some brass shell casings and a barrel form SCHATTON MODELLBAU
They are great!!
Thanks
http://www.modellbau-schatton.privat.t-online.de/index.html.

E mail modellbau.schatton @ t-online.de



The specialist in brass and aluminum turning, drilling,

Milling and Modelparts

Epoxy Resin complete construction.

Scales 1/35, 1/48, 1/72, 1/76, 1/87 and 1/700 ship gun barrels



Worldwide, direct shipping

I send worldwide to all directly

4 Finally everything is here. Photo etch from Eduard,Decals from Archer,Also ammo from Verlinden(out of scale), Paint Vallejo acrylic and a beautiful turned barrel from Stratton Modelbau(see reference website etc above) This man sent the barrel and ammo to me $72 without pre payment!!!!!!!! he sent is on my promise to pay. I am flabbergasted. Of course I have paid him with paypal. I still cannot believe it.
I have glued and painted the base. I used a product from Home Depot(hardware store) to simulate the ballast. Worked great. Painted the ties tracks etc. Will put the rail portion together first.
I have primed with Tamiya grey primer.

5 Today, I glued the tracks and the rr ties to the base. Guess I didn't do a good enough job masking as I had to use my Dremel tool to make space for the RR ties. Pushing the rails through the tiny slots was a bear!!! Super glue and kicker to the rescue. It looks pretty good,even my wife said it looked big and good!

If you are building this model I recommend you glue the base then add strengtheners at each joint as they become unwieldy and tend to break at the glue lines. I used left over sprue as longitudinal stiffeners. Now to touch up some gaps and touch up painted areas.Steel on top of track, rust on side of track and brown on the sleepers(ties).
I am still trying to understand how the aluminum barrel fits. It is awfully long but Herr R Schatton says it works so I will try and see.
I really like using Vallejo acrylic pints. They brush on smooth and cover well.
I need more Dunklegelb (Dark yellow) the sheer size eats spray cans of paint. just priming used all my gray primer.
The above photo is of my old work bench and it shows the 2 crew kits I am building. The one that comes with the Dragon kit and the Trumpeter kit.I have glued and assembled the crews.I have discovered Vallejo Acrylic paints. They are great.I used Vallejo German uniform grey,I made the helmets a slight shade darker or contrast. Note I use a brush and Spray cans. I haven't tried air brushing.. I primed the crews with Grey primer. I Also primed the Leopolds kit with grey primer then hit it with Tamiya TS-3 Dark yellow from the spray can.

I have the Archer decals for the uniform collar tabs ,the shoulder boards and helmet markings,haven't done them yet. Got tired of figures and wanted to start the gun.
I will send and print more as I get time.
6


I will bring you up to speed ASAP Thats it for now!

Testing Photobucket transfer

The photos here are of the track and base. I apologize.
I am trying to use Photobucket and well I haven't gotten the hang of it yet.As to the base

I glued the tracks and the rr ties to the base. Guess I didn't do a good enough job masking as I had to use my Dremel tool to make space for the RR ties. Pushing the rails through the tiny slots was a bear!!! Super glue and kicker to the rescue. It looks pretty good,even my wife said it looked big and good!

If you are building this model I recommend you glue the base then add strengtheners at each joint as they become unwieldy and tend to break at the glue lines. I used left over sprue as longitudinal stiffeners. Now to touch up some gaps and touch up painted areas.Steel on top of track, rust on side of track and brown on the sleepers(ties).
I am still trying to understand how the aluminum barrel fits. It is awfully long but Herr R Schatton says it works so I will try and see.
I really like using Vallejo acrylic pints. They brush on smooth and cover well.
I need more Dunklegelb (Dark yellow) the sheer size eats spray cans of paint. just priming used all my gray primer. If I can figure out how to up load photos I will show them to you!!!! I tried using directions but no up load even though it said success!!!! I have photo on my computer (under 3 mg and jpeg), I even tried to create an album but so far no joy!!! If you know how feel free to instructing this newby!!

Re the base,I know you see the seam line,I have since overs prayed with the RR Ballast paint and it is invisible..

Continuing updating

Ref the above photo. The Figures got painted,flesh etc. How to do the belts and straps. They were black,I used a Black Permanent marker,Carefully I use it to "paint the belts straps etc. Easier than trying to paint them. I haven't put decals on yet later.

Now the attached photos are of the Rail trucks,I used both kit and Eduard photoetch. Unfortunately some of the photo etc was so small that ,I couldn't cut and glue so I didn't bother. this is a display for my cannon room not a contest.No one will pick it up or look at it with a microscope.The trucks were difficult and complicated,right now it is painted Dark yellow(Dunklegelb sp). Please note that one truck was a bit warped. When I put it on the tracks it didn't sit flat. I will fix that later by method to be determined.

I am using crazy glue, I like the thick and kicker. Also debonder to take apart and correct mistakes. The steps are an example.I put them together wrong,took them apart and re did them. Hope you can see the photoetch. If you are as clumsy as me you will need the following,plastic rods tiny,to small. Also sheets of evergreen sheet several widths. My Demel tool was a help, grinding and drilling.

Sanding sticks from the local beauty suppy shop,(cheaper than hobby shops. I have discovered that I need lots of paint as this thing has a lot of area.

Big project you got planned out there, Lou. Great tip for future builders about the reinforcement of the track bed.

Thank you Bob! I only learned because I picked the bed up and sprongo it split. Then it did it again. Finally duh! I reinforced.

Continuing update The rail trucks. I have the Eduard photo etch but some of the pieces are sooooooo small,that I jist pick and choose what I use. The teeny tiny levers were just to small to even see,much less glue.

ok continuing update.
Leopold,K5-e. These photos are of the hoist that was used to lift the 255kg shell,canisters and powder bags up to the gun. The kit is interesting in that just below the metal floor just above my finger in in unpainted grey is a sort of nut that when you twist it onto the pedestal it allows the hoist platform to turn left or right 90 degrees,so you can pose it in any position. The arm also pivots up and down. I haven't rigged the hoist yet or finished painting it.

In one photo you can see a bunch of shells,powder canisters, brass shell casings and powder bags,in my opinion the ones fro R Shotten in Germany made of brass are superior in detail and finish.. He shipped the barrel and shells then asked for payment. I paid the $62 total via Paypal.

If you aren't using e bay and Paypal you are missing bargains galore. I got some Verlinden shells, archer decals on e bay. Also for you fellow married guys. I buy her makeup for example Vera Wang perfume at dept store $145,e bay new in box $45. Model stuff ,metal detectors appliances are great buys. Pay using Paypal and if the shipper doesn't mail of its not what you ordered Paypal refunds your money and debits the sellers account!!

My next post will be on ladders. They are a real bear to make.The crummy ones will go on the backside (where you won't see them!!) I am making a jig for the Eduard etched ones,with one surviving kit ladder group as back up. They are so tiny complicated that I glued them to my fingers the glass and they are so thing and break if you even think about touching them!!UGHH!!! It is still a fun build,and it is going to be huge on my cannon wall.

Still catching up
Here is a pic of the aluminum barrel I got from Herr Stratton in Germany,he is a good guy t deal with!![

Then I had all my build out side ,sunny warm day. I was going to spray Dark yellow on several sub assemblies. I came in to get another can of Tamiya TS-3 Dark yellow. I went back outside to my paint table,cardboard on the big trash can and a gust had blown everything off. Couple of things broke off and I lost one little piece. I fixed the rail truck,no problem but I had to fabricate a new breech block. The kit one disappeared into the grass.I fabricated one that I think looks better than the kit. After all I spent 32 years playing with the real thing.

I think it is interesting the different philosophies of artillery obduration. We used and copied ,to a certain extent the french.Interrupted step thread breech assemblies. The Germans perfected the horizontal sliding breech block.Which we copied after WWI ,for light arty 75mm,105mm. We used the french step thread and powder bags for 155 through 16 inch. The Germans used sliding breech for everything up to the 80cm Dora/Gustav.Using sliding breech required a brass canister for rearward obduration. Simpler to manufacture but a bit more complicated supply problem. The US needed just a round(projo) and powder bags to fire off a round. The Germans need a round (projo,powder and a big brass canister that could only be reused after refurbishing at a rear area.

Here are pics of the breech assembly. Note all he lead weight I have to add to counter balance the long heavy barrel ALSO NOTE THE TRUNIONS ARE GLUED ON,HUGE MISAKE DOWN THE ROAD. AS WE USED OT SAY IN THE ARMY,RTFP READ THE PAPER. Alot of pics to follow re the breech,

Breech assembly















Note the above 3 photos show the scratch built hydraulic lines on top of the barrel housing.I used electrical wire and CA glue



This is the elevation assembly. Several parts are not glued allowing you pose the barrel
elevation

Hi all, I have looked at other blogs here and I am sorry I have not detailed or explained my Leopold enoug From now on I will try to to do a better job.Right now I have glued and dry fitted the gun assembly. The interior unit does not fit the carriage. It needs to be down so tat the deck will lie flat. I am adjusting it and if that fails I will simply grind the top down until it is level with the gun rail carriage.

I built a new breech assembly. I used some evergreen flat stock and fabricated a box. I will drill a hole in it to make a hand crank unit.

The new breech block looks pretty good.I used flat stock and a box(tool box/plastic from and old kit. Then softener flat stock and made the curve. Grinding and filling until here it is(pic to follow after I Dyson the house for my lovely wife!!! By the way

I bought a NEATO XV 21 Robo Vac. I will be setting it up and if you are interested I will tell how it works. Got it on E bay(new) for about $ 185 off store price.

I will use macro to take photos. I looked trough some of the other blogs ,I am so not as talented as most of you guys!!!!

Oh I use the plastic sleeves that they use to covwer the newspaper o paint. I can hold the part in my left hand and spray with my right. No paint on watch hand etc. works great.

Oh I also use mostly CA glue.















Here you can see the gun assy inside the carriage. There are grooves at bottom where it fits in the carriage. The white square is stock to help strengthen the assy that holds the barrel up in position. Even with a LOT of weight added the barrel is heavy and wants to fall.Look at the recoil cylinder. that piece has a part that allows the elevation of the barrel. You don't glue it it slides back and forth.

Please keep in mind that this model will sit in my home and will not be entered in contests so where i screwed up and where It is not 100% accurate is not an issue most people who see it won't know if I modified it.

I apologize to you purists out there. I am a philistne lol.

OK WE ARE UP TO DATE TODAY ! I spent time last night roto rooting the trunions,then I discovered that I think I took too much off(sanded) the side members. Oh well I will make it work.

As ou can see in this picture the trunions are glued into the breech assy.When one gets aheaed of the construction instructions one has to back track and do more work. I had to take the trunions out (messt) and I will use brass tubing to replace them,BUT only AFTER I glue the deck.


If you glue the trunions early then you can't attach breech correctly because the trunions will not fit through the deck opening!!!

Also to be corrected are the ladders. If you look t the deck photo above the ladders look like crap. I just could not get them to fit or glue. They are warped uneven and broken. Next to the ladders you see the Plastruct ladders. They will be perfect.

I was at the hobby shop and got 2 sizes of Plastruct brand ladders.These will look much better. I will have photos of new ladders and my trunion redo.

The Dremel tool with a zip saw like bit helped rout out and enlarge the trunion holes. I will cut the brass to size and use epoxy glue to seat the trunions. They have to be glues securely to support the weight of the metal barrel.I think I have a Dremel cutting wheel to do the brass. The plastic kit trunion supports should hide the damaged( by me) detail around where trunions are bolted to the breech block.

PLEASE NOTE ANY COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS WILL BE APPRECIATED.
How to I copy this build and duplicate it in the comments forum?

I will show you where I am using right angle Plastruct to bot support and strengthen the gun housing,






























Napoleon said" A commander can do little wrong if he marches to the sound of the GUNS"

ARTILLERY THE KING OF BATTLE!

Hi Lou:
I'm following your build with great interest, as I have a big gun project of my own in mind for the upcoming Great War campaign, and intend to use a Leo kit as a parts source.
As to ladders, you might take a look at model railroad and model shipbuilders' catalogs. They have ready-made ones of all sorts and sizes.
Cheers
Dick

Thanks I found ladders on E bay and after buying them I had to go to Pensacola ,so I stopped by BOBE's Hobby Shop and got several different size ladder and structural pieces. I have to go back on Tues so I will stock up for my stash. Right angles ,thin strip etc.
I have made new ladders and they look good so far.
I have to wait until mid week to get going again. I will paint for a few days. I want to put rust on the generator unit exhaust. I will first do them in MR SURFACER 500,then poke a brush to create rust pitting then paint them. I need to do the photo etch guards the same way.I hope it works. I will show pics.

Today I started the ladders for the Leopold. Compared to the kit ladders these are much better. As you will see later I will have to scratch build portions.
These photos are of the exhaust stack for the generator unit. I first paint them with MR Surfacer 500. Then I poke the damp Mr Surfacer with a heavy brush. I want them to look sort of rusting. Pitted . They look bad now but when I paint then several shades of rust I hope they will look well used.

I just bought a partial K-5e on e bay. It is the Trumpeter kit (don;t know how much. I will see what I can use and tke photos for all.

Earlier I wrote that I bought on E Bay. it cost $9.99 w.free shipping. it was only 4 pieces,see photo. I don't need the outer carriage walls but the inner supports even though they aren't 100% the same will help support the heavy metal barrel. There must be a big difference between the two kits. Right now i am doing other assemblies. getting my nerve up to try the big gun assembly.
More to follow
If I am not being detailed enough or I should give more info please tell me and I will try to live up to the standards set here.

Recently I told all about a site called MILITARYZONE.INFO has anyone checked t out it is a great reference site.

I also posted some pages of a book called German Railway Guns. Should I copy and post ? Is anyone interested???

Ok to the subject my K-5e Railgun Leopold ,If you look above you will see the kit ladders and the eduard photo etch that I butchered. I bought some Plastrut ladders and here are the re done ladders. I also show the semi finished exhaust stacks. I will be making them look rusty using AV dark rust .

I also show the finished derrick and the ammo lifter. I show it empty and with the grenates powder and Verlinden canister. Not the scratch built J lifting hook and pulley.
I also scratch built some decking for the Generator unit.

Everything is being pained in Tamiya TS-3 Dark Yellow.(Dunklegelb). I will add the rotbrun on later.

A note on construction. I discovered that Plastic cement(the kind that melts and welds polystyrene and plastic is better joining ladder rungs than CA glue.

Here are more pics of the K-5e Build.The first are of the carriage. Also note tat I ground down all the placement plastic as I double walled the inner assembly. You can see the st few are of the carriage and the support 90 degree L beams I am putting in for rigidity and strengthening. As usual I didn't plan ahead the center l beams had to be removed in order to put the gun assy in,oh well.
Note the gun assy has strengthening l beams too. None of the styrene will show.
I scratch built he ammo tray. On the hoist I used jewelry making pieces for the hook and the pulley. I dry fit the deck and now it fits perfectly. You can also see the trunions I made out of brass tubing. You can see the inner workings of the elevation mechanism ,you son't glue parts ,this allows you to pose the barrel up down or wherever. The barrel is heavy It is the Stratton Metal barrel.
I also have tried to portray the rust on the generator exhaust stacks.
I put the barre on,the darn thing went down down. then I realized no trunions yet.
If you look carefully yu can see the rifling in the metal barrel. For about $50 it is a masterpiece. here are the pis for your inspection,and comments.
Tonight I am going to glue the Gun assy into the carriage. WISH ME LUCK!

The first photo shows the breech assembly in firing position,the second with the barrel show tha heavy barrel almost horizontal. But note the slots for the trunions. The glued trunions should support the barrel. This is why you sometimes see huge block weights on heavy artillery. These are counterweights.
Ya,mein general das ist gut!!!!

Lou-- great work. Involved project, but your efforts raise my interest level in getting the kit...where would I put it?
Regardless, well done!
Garry Owen
DJ