Work has started on the large bridges. Some more photo etch being used and why I don't use supper glue. Also I have a question for everyone out there on what something is used for.
Gary, I agree with Dominic, for levelling the gun, hydraulics, this is a MASSIVE gun, and any deviation from level with respect to the surface could affect the targeted area, based on ballistic calculations that would be done. Because of the weight, multiple hydraulic systems would allow micro adjustments to get the exact ballistic requirement. Then again, I could be totally wrong....food for thought!!!
Its interesting to see how this kit is coming together. An idea on the purpose of all of the valves along the sides of the bridge: I think they are part of the leveling system for the gun. It looks like the bottom of the bridge might push down on hydraulics to provide a secure platform for firing the gun. Each of the valves would allow them to distribute the weight precisely down the length of the bridge.
The gun traveled on two rails (disassembled) until it arrived at its destination. This might have enbled it to use unmodified tunnels. Once at the firing position, the gun was assembled on four rails which were curved to enable aiming. Perhaps the handwheels were used to align the bridges to accommodate the gun carriage. Since the range of the gun is great, aiming and elevation must be accurate and even compensate for the Earth turning while the projectile is flying over it on its way to the target. A fraction of a degree when aiming is amplified over the range. Another use for the handwheels might be to grease parts that are inaccesible, so turning the wheel would push grease to 220 particular locations in need of lubrication?
Hi Gary .....My guess is to they were a part of the hydraulics system used to damp down the recoil of the action the system probably had to run the fluid though' those 100's of valves that acted as adjustable regulators that acted like orifices to spread the tremendous force over 100's and not just 1 JUST A WAG ..... I enjoy the WWII history My Dad served in the 556th AAA AW BTN in Europe in WWII I want to build a diorama of a GUN SECTION someday Great job I been binge watching the series LOL .....Cheers
it may be possible that the valves were for the brakes. Perhaps the valves were operated securing the carriage during the assembly process and terrain grades to prevent the gun carriage from moving. after assembly.. the valves released the brakes and made a step in the fire-operations a go.
Australia!!!.......G'day mate........Actually old boy I am in England...lol. Building a small model railway at the moment (railroad) and I did what you just did with some of my tunnels. I reckon it would fit. Can't believe that the Germans with their engineering excellence would would not have taken that problem into account.
England....... I would have sworn you were from Australia. I even have you down on a list of names and where people are from as being from Australia. So you will have to move or I have to change my list, and I don't want to do that.
Further to my stiffener idea, I was thinking that such a massive iron mass as the Dora was, would expand when in the sun, maybe they Are stiffeners to prevent the whole thing from warping in the sun.
Good news!...200+ 'hydraulic valve handwheels' are for dealing with (adjusting to) very large muzzle blast and recoil forces (I'm joking around a bit - restating the obvious). :-) Bad news: Haven't been able, so far, to identify specifically what type of handwheels they are and what, exactly, they adjust/do. :-( There is/was an Internet site which shows what WWII German handwheels were used for which specific purpose. As of now, I'm having troubles finding it. My faulty memory dimly recalls seeing this site while reading about U-Boats or the Nashorn [Naz - horn] (88mm) self-propelled anti-tank gun. When found, more information and the links will be posted...
Hi Gary. Interesting question you ask. I can only surmise that the main bridge rides high off the track when being moved, but maybe they settle it down flat on the track for firing? This would explain the jack like fittings you added. The ones to the far outsides I guess are probably for balance somehow on the railcars? Loving the videos and the chatty bits 😉. Keep up the good work. Can't wait to start mine after I finish my A-10 Warthog build. 😊😊
That makes sense, it would take away forces being applied to the rail cars when being fired. Only problem I see is when fired the recoil would move the gun. That means it would have to slide on the rail ties, and I'm not sure that would work. Good answer though, something I have to think about.
Also we see in some of your reference Gary, the boxes set between the rails on the curves. possibly the lower section of the bridge settled onto these instead of the rails? we're they actually sited under the final firing position of the gun?
We think alike......The large bridges in question were not wide enough to rest on the tracks and theres no way they would set it down on the rail ties. Then I got to thinking of those rail supports they built in the curves were perfict to set the gun on. And if there were recoil the gun would slide on the supports. Thanks for the info.
Nice work Gary, and thanks for taking the time to make these videos. I"ve always been fascinated by this gun, and I guess I'm just "geeky" enough to watch the entire video, no fast forward for me, lol. I don't know about Europe, but modern tunnels in the US are about 17 feet high and 11 feet wide for a single track mainline tunnel (I used to be a model railroader, back when I had the eyesight for it). However, I believe the way these massive guns were moved was in pieces. The gun was moved on a single track railroad. At the deployment sight they would build a set of DOUBLE tracks on a curve, and assemble the gun on those tracks. The gun was assembled on curved track to allow for change's to the horizontal (traverse) aiming of the gun, as there is no turret. The double tracks were necessary not just because of the width of the gun when fully assembled, but also to support its massive weight, which when fully assembled was well in excess of a thousand tons! Technically, the model really should be on curved track, but that would simply take up too much room for display purposes. That's why the base features straight track. Keep up the great work, Gary! I'm looking forward to Part 13.
This is the best video so far, welcome to "Trumpy Land". Now do you understand why Trumpy makes such confusing models ? It's not Hobby Boss, it's Trumpy. Still a very nice kit though, and you are doing a great job ! Is there another aftermarket PE set for this ? And you could have used that thick CA glue to start filling that huge seam.
Hi Gary, great video as always. I haven't read all the posts so this may have been covered. My first thought is some kind of leveling system. Or shock absorbing for recoil. On a different subject, I have subscribed to Salmon's channel and have been watching his New Jersey build. Yeah you got nothing on him and his PE!!😲 My dumb luck I got my Corsair done and went to put it up and out of the way while I work on the display and I dropped it on my table and snapped a wheel off the landing gear. I hope I can glue it back on. I suggest massage therapy LOL a shot!! LOL
Hi Gary are u sure they are valves ? I'm saying this because they're running along the structure, almost dead in the middle of it: couldn't they be lateral stiffeners to prevent the structure from "expanding" or bulging(so to say) in the middle because of all the weight that's above ?
Another week come and gone and another great video - thanks! This is way too ambitious of a model for me to attempt so I am enjoying watching you assemble it. When this is finished what do you have planned next? Perhaps a ship?
I had a wooden ship planed untl I seen an open box review an I was highly disappointed. I'm still looking for the right ship or I can get started back on my basement remodel that needs done.
This comment supports Ian Dacre's and Dominic Fawver's observation of hydraulic leveling. It's confirmed by at least one source. At forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=100753&hilit=dora+hydraulic - titled _"Dora at Sevastopol 1942"_ the author implied hydraulic valve handwheels were for a, _"....especially contrived lock system which permitted hydraulic leveling of the entire carriage."_ Looking for a web site on WWII German handwheels turned out to be a proverbial goose chase. After typing in "80cm Kanone" on google images search engine *a lot* of stuff came up. A page titled _"Montage de Dora"_ seems most relevant. Link at: html2.free.fr/canons/doramt.htm - 67400.free.fr/monsiteweb/Kanone%20%20Schwerer%20Gustav/80%20cm%20Kanone%20E%20Schwerer%20Gustav%2015.jpg The lines below the handwheels, in the photograph, appear to be hydraulic. The writing is: _"Linker Träger"_ - "left carrier/support"; _"hinten"_ - "rear." On another page of the site is something of interest: html2.free.fr/canons/dora/doramt6.jpg shows lots of information or directions on valve function(s). An elaborate lock system, along with a multiple recoil set up, seems very plausible (likely). Several pictures of a completed model, similar to Gary's, by Cem Burak are at: miniafv.blogspot.com/2014/05/hobbyboss-172-german-80-cm-ke-railway.html . This last link is just for fun: new2.fjcdn.com/comments/If+you+like+to+know+more+about+the+canon+it+_b7b554b02386183974463502768f3904.jpg
Very good.....I have been on the "Axishhistory" forum but never seen what you found. Not sure I agree with the way he says the gun was transported, if you have rail cars for the gun why not use them to transport part of the gun. The way he talks they put rail cars on rail cars to move them. I'm going to stick with the way I think she was moved that I shower in one of my videos, makes more sense.
