122mm A-19 & 152mm ML-20 & 12.8cm Pak.44 {K8 1/2} by Baker - FINISHED - Ace Models - 1:72 - Plastic

[Baker]

This is the build of 3 cannons on a 1/72 scale
The models are from Ace from Ukraine. They produce well detailed models, not always easy to build. but always a pleasant addition to the collection.

These models are the so-called short run method. A mold is made, and with this models are made until the mold is worn out.

Why build these 3 in a serie, it saves me time and especially thinking about the construction method  (once you understand how a certain component is built, then the next 2 to build are easy).
We build 3 cannons from WW 2  (All have the same carriage).

A 122mm A-19 from Russia                               https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/122_mm_gun_M1931/37_(A-19)
A 152mm ML-20 from Russia                            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/152_mm_howitzer-gun_M1937_(ML-20)
A 12.8 cm Pak.44 (K81 / 2)   from Germany       https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12.8_cm_Pak_44

Step 1 opening the boxes. Most parts are identical. only the parts for the barrels are different.

The first  part is ready

The legs of the carriages are now being made.
The first piece is a bit of a puzzle. Drawings from some plastic models are sometimes as simple as those from wooden boats....

to be continued

[popeye the sailor]

these are fun to build.......haven't built one in quite a while though.   depending on how long you had them,  short run kits like that become rare in a short period of time.  is Ace still in business?.......are the kits dated?

[Baker]

Ace model is still "alive and kicking"

http://acemodel.com.ua/en

 

But these 3 models are no longer in production.

 

Every year there is an exhibition of IPMS in Hoboken (Belgium). With a wide range of kits for sale at fair prices.
So then it's "shopping time"

 

 

[popeye the sailor]

I looked up and book marked the site!  they have quite a few unique kits.........and I only looked at the first few pages!   yup........I didn't see these kits.   

[Baker]

While building the carriages the wheels are made.
Ther are 18 pieces for 6 wheels

cleaned up and assembled.

[Baker]

The legs of the carriages are further built according to plan.

Estimate the angle in which the legs are placed, a photo of the 12.8 cm Pak is used for this.

Legs glued and drying. Later some extra details will be added.

1 cannon is build in transport position and 2 in firing position.

 

[Baker]

Progress with the carriages.

With short run kits you sometimes have to drill holes and fabricate extra parts

The three carriages are almost ready. Extra details are added here and there.

Thanks for watching.

 

[popeye the sailor]

amazing how identical these frames are.......well know that cloning is a practice of plastic model manufacturers.   wood kits show this practice,  but not as common.  what are those parts {4} called at the foot of the frames?  I notice that the one set up for transit doesn't have them.

[Baker]

These are to absorb the recoil during firing. They are actually 4 heavy metal pins that were driven into the ground.
This way the cannon remained in place during the firing (a cumbersome way to set up a canon).

 

Other versions have a kind of spade directly attached to the back of the legs of the
carriage (setting up is of course much faster). see the pak 40 below

 

The carriage in transport arrangement also has these 4 pins. attached to the sides of the legs

 

 (foto from internet)

[Baker]

On 9/25/2019 at 6:25 PM, popeye the sailor said:

amazing how identical these frames are

Yes in real the 2 russian carriages were  identical. Saves time in development and production.
The German version was actually a quick emergency solution.
How do I build an effective anti-tank gun against the Josef Stalin tanks that are becoming more and more numerous on the battlefield?
Take an existing barrel and use captured Russian material.

 

In the meantime, construction continues.

 

Drilling out the barrels

This part is cast so badly that plan B is needed.

The 15.2 cm will be built in transport version, and is provided with canvas protection.

The 3 cannons are built as far as possible before painting.

 

[Baker]

After washing with water and soap, a first layer is painted.

further built.

Further painting is done by cannon per cannon.
First the Pak. Dry brushing with light gray, and further applying colors.

(Not ready yet)
Next to a figure, an immense anti-tank cannon.
Hard to handle
Hard to camouflage

But probably very effective, when a tank was hit ...

Thanks for following

 

[Baker]

Making  3 base plates. All my 1 / 72nd models are on such plates. Easier to manipulate and numbering

The German cannon (spring 1945) has a russian green carriage and a sand-yellow barrel.
The green of the carriage is rusty, probably there was not enough paint available, or simply no time enough to repaint it .

the 15.2 cm (in the transport version) is in a russich green color. The openings in the barrel are protected against dirt and dust

The 12.2 cm partially has a whitewash color.

Painting and finishing the models

After the basic color I always apply a light gray dry brushing.
Then the other colors are painted and then a dry brushing of sand color.
After application to the base plate, a wash with diluted matte black is applied.

 

Ready, numbered and stored in the Russian WW2 corner

For organizational reasons, the "German cannon" has been placed with Russia.

All models with a specific chassis are placed together. This is easier for me to know what I have already built.

a total of 1417 models in 1/72 scale on display (started in 1985)

Finished.

Thanks for following 

[popeye the sailor]

quite a display you have there       fantastic !   they really look great