Hi folks,

A new year brings new projects and as the Great War campaign is up and running and it is the 100th anniversary of WW1 I though this beast would be appropriate. I have a couple of WW1 projects in hand but thought I'd start here as I've already built the WW2 version of the gun which was a great kit.

This is the Resicast 6 inch Howitzer 26cwt Mk I that comes with a Limber and optional wheel finishes. You can build this kit as a WW1 or BEF gun.



The Parts

































Cheers

Al

For the base I'll use the recently released GBS kit.











The base mounting the WW2 version



Al

Inspiration and reference

Well that comes form many sources but here are a couple.

Christophe's build





Period refs







Cheers

Al

Finally, guns need lots of ammo so these will do nicely:









Al

I hope we see some generic WW1 type 1/35 scale figures coming along this year but failing that some of these look suitable for conversion.





Cheers

Al

Happy New Year Al... What a great way to start off the year marking the 100th anniversary of the start of WWI.. Looks like you;ve got everything you need for a great dio.

Rick

Hi Rick,

Happy New year to you too. There is such a lot that could be covered in WW1. I recently got the Haynes Great War Tank book on the Mk IV so who known I might even get drawn down the Emhar route if nothing new and exciting comes along in the form of a new tank.

Have a good one.

Al

Patience ... I can't believe that a new Mark IV or V isn't in the works ..They are too important not to be covered by someone ..I feel Meng looks good for one ...

Hi Rick,

I hope so.

Al

Hi folks,

Build is under way. You get two options with the wheels for the gun, normal and those with the extended rims. SO far so good I think. Axel alignment takes a little patience.

Extended rim type, note the U bolts for fitting same.





Normal gun wheels and wheels for the limber





Cheers

Al

Hi folks,

A bit more work on the gun. I've opted for the early horse drawn towing arrangement and have most of the gun sight added. Next will be the old style breaks.









Cheers

Al

A question for artillery folks if anyone knows. When the gun is in the firing position are the breaks on or off?

Thanks

Al

Hello Alan ,

i'm not an artillery man but i do have knowledge about the trench war far. Now , to answer your question ;

on one of the old pictures that you have shown , you can see a gun that just have fired before the picture was taken. There are no logs or pieces of wood present to lock the wheels (IMHO). I think that the recoil system in combination with the breaks on is sufficient to hold the gun in place after firing.

Besides all that , nice project and a very clean build of the gun. I follow this.

Cheers

Kurt

Alan,

Brakes would be "on." Along with the spade, the brakes being engaged would help keep the howitzer in place while firing. Also, when not firing, the brakes will keep the howitzer from rolling and screwing up it's "lay."

That's a nice looking kit. Love the towed guns.

Mike

Hi Mike and Kurt

Thanks for confirming that.

Cheers

Al

Hi folks,

Last update of the day with the breaks fitted and the locking handles in place.







Cheers

Al

Hi folks,

A couple more reference pics. The French also used a number of the British guns.



and a couple of fire bays.





Cheers

Al

Hi folks,

The build of the gun is pretty much complete, some tools and the breech opening lever, and final part of the sight to add.



Limber next and then the base.

Al

Hi folks,

This is the finished gun. I'm waiting on a replacement outer rim as one had suffered overspill and cleaning out the bolt holes wasn't an option that would work.

From a build point of view having the axle in 3 parts makes initial alignment tricky, everything else cleans up well and providing you study the instructions this is a fairly easy build. The tow hook at the front is also tricky to fit and I'd suggest not drilling out the fixing points on the chassis as the fit is very precise.

I've finished this one as an early gun without the oil reservoir so filed off the unwanted fittings on the barrel. There are several finish options, alternative wheels, breech open loading/closed firing position and in travel mode. With/without the oil reservoir and as a WW1 gun or a version used by the BEF in France in 1940.











Cheers

Al

Hi folks,

I added a little paint to the gun last night to get an idea of how it will look.









Any thoughts on WW1 colours?

Cheers

Al

Hi Alan ,

the 13 - and 18 pounder field guns were all painted in olive green to dark green. I'm not sure however of the color of the 6 inch howitzers was green to ? It could be khaki brown ?

I keep on searching !

Greets Kurt

Hi Kurt,

Thanks, there is an Osprey publication about WW1 artillery I believe, I may get that.

Cheers

Al

Hi folks,

A couple of pictures of the Limber,





Cheers

Al

Alan, one of the volumes of dick taylor's warpaint has a page on ww1 camoflage and if I remember correctly has some mention of artillery patterns.

Paul

Hi Paul,

Thanks for reminding me, appreciated.

Al