Pics of 14" Naval Railroad Gun model build

Tremendous work, Jesse.

Rider,   Thank you, sir!  Having fun and learning a lot along the way.  Don't get to work on it every day.  But, hey, still quicker than what it took to build the prototype!!  LOL!  I am finding what I can do with "odd materiel" laying around and building from scratch a railroad car not common as some others.  Loving it!

Thanks for the comments.....

Jesse   TCA   12-68275

Here it is April and living in a "New World" as we gaze out upon the events around us.  Spring has arrived and without the usual ability to have some hired hand to assist, staying busy and working on Winter/Spring duties.  So, not on the 14in Gun build as preferred, but find some pics of progress as such.  My many thanks to comments and especially to Jim Caldwell for the excellent material he sent me.  Enjoy, and moving forward...…   One small detail at a time......

Jesse  TCA   12-68275  

OK....  In the past month have found time to work on details/equipment for the front gun carriage deck.  Still need some painting, but the contrast helps bring out detail in the pics.  Shown, left to right; Gun carriage raising motor, air compressor, gun barrel support (in stowed travel position and secured), barbette orientation rotation motoring and gearing.  I see a need for making more turnbuckles for military loads as these are my last two. Yep, more detailing and painting ahead!  Thanks for following and enjoy!  Moving forward...…...

Jesse   TCA  12-68275

Texastrain:  I have followed your thread since Oct 19 when you began.  I continue to be amazed at the level of detail you have modeled and the quality of the results.  Super work.  When you mentioned turnbuckles, I wondered if the model ship folks might have some commercial castings for such things.  I know they have them for pulleys and blocks because the ship modelers use lots of them for the rigging on ships.  Just an idea.

Although I live in Waco most of the year, we live for several months on Tybee Island in Georgia.  Tybee sits at the mouth of the Savannah River which was always a crucial gateway to the United States as it is easily navigable by ocean going ships all the way up to the Port of Savannah.  One of the interesting things on Tybee and its surrounds are the remains of three key forts that at various eras in history were erected to protect the Savannah River from incursion.  One is a Revolutionary war era fort near what is currently the  port , another is Fort Pulaski a civil war era fort just downstream of the entrance and the third is Fort Screven (believe it or not, General George Marshall was one of its Commanders in his early career).  The first two were but historical artifacts by the 20th century but Fort Screven which sits on Tybee at the mouth of the Savannah River was a key part of  Coast Artillery Corps Branch of the US Army.   In 1899-1900 Screven was equipped with what the US Government said were the "largest cannon in the world".  There were four 8" rifled cannon with a range of 10 miles in its main batteries.   These main batteries rose up on a hydraulic platform to fire then lowered behind the thick walls of the fort for the crew to reload under the protection of the walls.  The shells were raised from the armory via jib cranes due to their immense weight as each weighed 709 lbs.  Each gun was manned by 4 officers and 157 men.   Although never fired from the fort at an enemy, these guns were in the fort up until about 1918 when they were removed to be used at the front as RR guns in WW1.  Given the emergence of the airplane making coastal forts somewhat obsolete they were never reinstalled. 

I do have a book with some old pictures of these guns and their installation, which I could copy and send to you if it would help at all in your modeling.  Just let me know if you want them and how to reach you.

Very Respectfully

Don McErlean

Don,     Thank you, sir, for your comments.  Yes, they do make cast brass turnbuckles for ship modeling.  However, as I have stated, I like to construct with materials/"stuff" I have on hand.  I did make some operating turnbuckles years ago, but without a reverse thread on one end...….well...….  Really not that difficult when you can find the smallest tap and die possible (forget what size now).

We could have crossed paths, or close, in the past.  I was born and raised in Midland, went high school and started work on the docks /construction/management in Houston.  Starting 2009, until 2011, I managed construction on Robins AFB located 20 mile South of Macon.  My wife and I, when she would visit for a couple of weeks, as she was retired, made many trips to Savannah and Tybee Island.  For New Year 2011 we had a hotel room on Tybee and joined the locals for the celebration on the long pier and local establishments.  Too bad the fair and carnival set up near was not functional, only for making of a movie by Hanna Montana.  But, all restaurants were lower cost, drinks and all amenities lower in cost (due to the "off" season) and fireworks on the beach were great!  Had a wonderful time, then, and every time we went there.  And, also had great stays and enjoyment when we would stay for the weekend in Savannah.  Yes, saw the local fortifications, but never took time to explore fully.  Will just have to go back!  

Thank you for your offer, sir.  I have a book on the military history of Fort MacArthur, where the 14in gun I am modeling was located, in set of two, for coastal defense.  There were another pair sent to Panama for the defense of the canal, and they were easily transported from East to West coasts, and back again, as needed by the canal rail line trackage.  Another forum member, Jim Caldwell sent me an order catalog for RR Gun drawings and pics.  However, the firm you ordered from, Coker Craft, is now defunct as far as I have been able to find out.  So, I am going off pictures I find online and in the one book I have, plus the one sent by Jim.

Thank you, again sir, for your comments.  And, also for all likes and comment from others, thank you, all.

Moving forward...…... 

Jesse   TCA  12-68275

Very nice work Jessie, I think I saw one at the Aberdeen MD proving ground, a long time ago.

Jesse, this has been a fun thread to follow. Great work and please keep posting updates. 

Jessie:  Great story...my involvement with Robbins is quite old, I used to visit there periodically when I was on Active Duty (I was an engineer) for the Air Force in the early 1970's.  As you may know, it is still a very important base for the AF. 

Glad you liked Tybee.  We are there most of Jun, Jul, and part of August (I still teach so need to come back to Tx to prepare for the fall semester so am back in Waco by mid Aug).  The long pier is still there, took a few hits in 2014 from Hurricane Matthew, was closed for awhile (no structural damage it turned out, but it had to be inspected prior to opening again for the public and that took quite a wait, entertainment piers were not a big priority).  We are building a new extensive Marine Education Center and Museum, if you come back after this Summer it is supposed to be open. 

You are welcome about the offer of pictures.  I realized I might just try to copy some of the most relevant and post them here for your review.  I might try that, I am not too sophisticated when it comes to this digital stuff but it might work.

Best of luck with your turnbuckles, your skill in modeling is very apparent.  How you would "see" something so small is a wonder to me, I have trouble recognizing my car!! 

Best wishes, stay healthy

Don McErlean

Thank you all for your interest and comments.

Don....  Well, seems it is a smaller world than first reckoned.  Yes, some places and events are common and, as a fact, last I was through Waco was Feb. 25 this year.  I was on my way back to Oklahoma from visiting my mother in Conroe at a rest facility.  But, due to the COVID restrictions here and in Harris County, I was not able to attend services when she passed on March 25th.  Such it is concerning the times we find ourselves in.

John....  Thank you for our comments.  yes, I wish to make a trip NE, someday, and Aberdeen will definitely be on my list.

Rider... Glad you enjoy my post, and sense the fun I have in this endeavor.  Yes, it will be an active post until completion and first active trials are performed to acceptance.  The challenges and satisfaction go hand-in-hand, as Adriatic, Trainman2001, and others can attest.   Thank you, sir.

Moving forward...….

Jesse   TCA  12-68275

Have built generator for 14in Gun that rode in front on the 16 wheel set of trucks, and used for gun power in all applications.  Have minor detail to complete and purchase another rattle can of Krylon to add color in several places.  Moving forward...….

Jesse   TCA  12-68275