by George Grasse

BLITZ BL2015 1:35 SCALE RESIN KIT OF THE FRENCH CANON DE 145mm  MODELE 1916

 

Blitz BL2015 Canon de 145mm  Modele 1916

This image is taken directly from the box art.  This kit was re-released during the 'Centenaire 1914-2014' and may be presently out of production.

 

French Canon de 145mm Modele 1916

This image is taken from Les Canons de la Victoire 1914-1918, Tome 1, L'Artillerie de Campagne, by Pierre Touzin and Francois Vauvillier, Histoire & Collections, Paris, 2009, page 52.  The photo shows the cannon's  sheer size hitched up 'en ordre de route'.

 

PARTS LAYOUT

 

IN WORK PHOTO #1 23 December 2023

The first stage of assembly in the photo above shows the avant train (limber) left, the massive 145mm barrel with a few additions (mostly breach parts), and the traveling frame when the gun is in transit.  The bore had to be drilled out about 1/2 inch.  The limber's two resin guide rods were replaced with brass rod.

 

IN WORK PHOTO #2 5 January 2024

The underside of the cannon's support structure    Note the use of brass rod to replace the rather brittle resin rods.

 

IN WORK PHOTO #3 5 January 2024

Another view of the underside showing the spring shock absorbers supported by pneumatic "legs" which are glued in the traveling position.  Otherwise, they would be extended when in the firing position.  The front brass loops replaced the resin parts.

 

IN WORK PHOTO #4 5 January 2024

This view shows the shock absorbers in the traveling position.

 

IN WORK PHOTO #5 5 January 2024

This is progress to date with an early 19th century artillery man for size comparison, both in 54mm scale.

 

IN WORK PHOTO #6 10 January 2024

The completed limber is painted overall in Vallejo VC0819 Iraqi Sand.  Camouflage colors will be applied over it.

 

IN WORK PHOTO #7 17 January 2024

The cannon is nearly assembled.  The wheels are proped up and have to be painted separately.  Note the end of the cannon's trail: the steering mechanism for the limber and seat for the driver.  The barrel is prepainted with Vallejo VC0819 Iraqi Sand.  A few more details have to be added to complete it before painting.

 

IN WORK PHOTO #8 27 January 2024

The cannon and its limber (avant train) have been painted using four colors.  See the Color Table below.

 

IN WORK PHOTO #9 27 January 2024

Horizontal view with avant train detached.  The standalone cannon is 10-1/2" long.

 

IN WORK PHOTO #10 27 January 2024

Horizontal view with avant train attached.   The overall length in this mode is 13".  Next is weathering.

 

FINISHED PHOTO #11 29 January 2024

 

FINISHED PHOTO #12 29 January 2024

COLOR TABLE

French Scheme	Paints I Used
Green	Vallejo 50-50 Mix (VC0857 and VC0850)
Beige	Vallejo VC0819 Iraqi Sand
Chestnut Brown	Vallejo VC0818 Red Leather
Dark Brown	Vallejo VC0984 Flat Brown
Wash	Vallejo 76.523 European Dust

 --------------------------------------------   finis  -------------------------------------------

 

REFERENCES:

Hogg, Ian V.  Allied Artillery of World War One.  Ramsbury, UK:  The Crowwood Press, Ltd., 1998.

Touzin, Pierre, and Francois Vauvillier.  Les Canons de la Victoire 1914-1918, Tome 1: L'Artillerie de Campagne.  Paris: Histoire & Collections, 2009.

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29  Jan 2024