Mike N Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Hi to anyone who has built (or studied the instructions) of this monster! My intention is to model the gun in the firing mode. The instructions refer only to 'straight track' or 'cross track'. I am assuming that this is to be interpreted as cross track = firing mode (why didn't Trumpeter make it prefectly clear?!). However, I'm not entirely convinced by this assumption and my limited references don't adequately show the areas which have optional parts in the kit. I'm also not 100% sure that the 'cross track' method of firing would have any different settings compared to firing from a curved section of track as I intend to show it. The 3 places I can find the options are: -What could be support pads for the ammo wagon are used for the 'straight track', but missing for the 'cross-track'. -Ladder extended (straight track) or retracted (cross track) -The forward part of the ammo wagon is folded down for the 'cross track' Can anybody shed any light on the options in the kit?? (Hopefully) thanks in advance! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 (edited) Hi to anyone who has built (or studied the instructions) of this monster!My intention is to model the gun in the firing mode. The instructions refer only to 'straight track' or 'cross track'. I am assuming that this is to be interpreted as cross track = firing mode (why didn't Trumpeter make it prefectly clear?!). However, I'm not entirely convinced by this assumption and my limited references don't adequately show the areas which have optional parts in the kit. I'm also not 100% sure that the 'cross track' method of firing would have any different settings compared to firing from a curved section of track as I intend to show it. The 3 places I can find the options are: -What could be support pads for the ammo wagon are used for the 'straight track', but missing for the 'cross-track'. -Ladder extended (straight track) or retracted (cross track) -The forward part of the ammo wagon is folded down for the 'cross track' Can anybody shed any light on the options in the kit?? (Hopefully) thanks in advance! Mike Have a look here, some good info: http://www.one35th.com/model/k5/k5_frme.htm HTH Andy Edited December 22, 2011 by andym Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lothian man Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 I assume this is the 1/35 kit? I entirely sympathise - I had exactly the same problem. The kit instructions are atrocious when it comes to sorting out the options (a problem also for other Trumpeter military artillery kits, though to be fair Trumpeter are hardly unique when it comes to dealing with artillery configurations). The cross track is one of a number of firing modes, perhaps the least usual judging from photos - it seems to have been more usual to put it on a stretch of ordinary, but curved, track, as you evidently have in mind, or to put the whole lot on a giant turntable (a bit like the ones used for railway steam locos). All this was of course to point it in about the right direction before doing the fine adjustment on the piece. A word of warning - you need a LOT of space for the cross-track configuration (and for the turntable too!). I put it together, then chucked that when I realised how much, and will have mine on an ordinary bit of straight track. At least that fits on top of my Ikea display cases! I think what the instructions mean by 'straight track' is 'transport configuration' and 'cross track' as you say, really means 'firing configuration'. Of course the gun would also fire from straight track - as on a turntable - or track that was efectively straight in short bits - as on the curve. One would expect the ladder to be down for firing and up for transport surely? One other thing that needs to be watched for is the pivot for one of the bogies under the bug central frame for the gun - this slides to and fro in the real thing and is differently placed for firing or transport. I only realised this after I had cemented it - fortunately in the right location. The new Squadron-Signal walkaround book on the K5(e) and the Armor Photogallery no 12 on the K5(e) are both well worth having - perhaps the latter is the one to go for if only buying one. There is also an older S-S In Action book on the German railroad guns, but I can't find my copy at the moment to compare with the former. But one thing for sure, if that is any consolation - from what I have seen in photos the Trumpeter kit beats its main competitor hands down when it comes to detail. I like the kit! The transfers have some misspellings but Archer do a replacement set. One other thing I found is that the Trumpeter diesel loco does not seem to be the main military type, but an earlier, and much more limited production, variant - I was never sure if it served in the Army. I'll simply put mine next to the gun and say it's being shunted at the works or depot ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike N Posted December 28, 2011 Author Share Posted December 28, 2011 Thanks for the responses chaps. Yes, I should have clarified that it is the 1/35 kit I'm building. I agree, Lothian Man, that the instructions are not great! Can you elaborate on the pivot on one of the bogies that you advise to watch for? I'm not sure which part you mean. I have the old and new S-S books (like with yours, the older one has disappeared) but I can't pick out the details I'm after for the firing mode. I'll keep an eye out for the Armor Photogallery book too. As for the cross-track option, far too big an area for display! I had also picked up on the diesel engine not being the most appropriate version for railguns at the front line, sloppy Trumpeter research?! I'm going to have to have mine sitting alone... Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lothian man Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 I have now got the Armor Photogallery book out. Definitely recommended as it has shots from both preserved guns as well. The bogie that moves to and fro between travel and firing positions is the rear truck, the one with a turntable on the top. I have my kit packed away deep in a spare room ... can't get at it easily at the moment ... from memory I think the critical bit is a small bit a centimetre or so across that sticks onto the bottom of the main gun girder complex, looking a bit like a truncated Mayan pyramid with a hole in the top ... but this is from memory I stress! It is also my interpretation of the kit's detailing combined with the statement in the book that the bogie was moved 1.9m between the two configurations, with the transport configuration being tucked more under the gun girder than the firing one - which last gives room for the generator truck, the one with the dinky crane (which you call tdhe 'ammo wagon' I think), to be wheeled onto the bogie wagon. On reflection, now you ask, I wonder if there are two pivots rather than one sliding one ... but it's not easily visible anyway. Thanks to Andym for the website from me too - definitely worth a look. The above info may well be tucked away in it ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike N Posted December 28, 2011 Author Share Posted December 28, 2011 I had another look through the instructions and have found the pyramid part in question - thanks for the heads up as there is no mention of the different positions! The 'ammo wagon' is what Trumpeter calls it. I was suspicious about this as it didn't tally with the details I'd read about the gun and its entourage and also I'd read this was the generator. Oh well. Many thanks for your help and pointers! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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