siege1863 Posted June 9, 2012 Share #1 Posted June 9, 2012 Just ran across some photos from one of my 1/6 projects from several years ago. I took the Browning M1917 water-cooled machine gun packaged by The Ultimate Soldier and completely reworked it. For anyone who has purchased one of these sets, you know just how bad the detail and scale is. However, it was all that was available at the time. Here is the set as originally offered... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siege1863 Posted June 9, 2012 Author Share #2 Posted June 9, 2012 Here is what I was able to do with it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siege1863 Posted June 9, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted June 9, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siege1863 Posted June 9, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted June 9, 2012 The water jacket was completely reworked. I added a correct hooded front sight, barrel, enhanced the water drain plugs and fittings, and replaced the hose with a scale piece of wire insulation sanded to better replicate rubber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siege1863 Posted June 9, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted June 9, 2012 The cradle received the most attention. Using Grandt Line nuts and bolts, and plastic tubing, I was able to make a fully functioning cradle. The elevation and windage knobs can be dialed to raise, lower, and pivot the gun. Added to the tripod is a real leather strap with working roller buckle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siege1863 Posted June 9, 2012 Author Share #6 Posted June 9, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siege1863 Posted June 9, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted June 9, 2012 Note that the gun has been greatly detailed. The trigger was replaced, the cocking/charging handle replaced, and the pistol grip has wood grips, a style seen on some models. I also added a mounting pin and scale chain. What almost made me blind was the scratch building of the rear ladder sight. It is fully functional. The most challenging part was fabricating the working hinge attaching the sight to the receiver. The sight lifts and the the slide can be moved up and down on the rail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siege1863 Posted June 9, 2012 Author Share #8 Posted June 9, 2012 The metal ammo can provided with the set was entirely wrong in that it could not be mounted to the cradle and it was out of scale. I opted to scratch build a wooden ammo box. It has a hinged lid (note the fine hinge I had to make), has a working latch, and the carrying handle is made of real leather. The brass rods seen in the first photo are how I attached the handle and provided a pivot point for the latch. The rod for the hinge has already been seated and made flush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siege1863 Posted June 9, 2012 Author Share #9 Posted June 9, 2012 The water can provided with the set is terrible as well. Far too small and lacking all detail. I fashioned a new one from sheet styrene, added a correct twist-and-turn filler cap with fold-down carrying handle. I also filled the bottom of the can with white glue and added buckshot to give it some weight. Otherwise, it tended to fall over when the hose was inserted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siege1863 Posted June 9, 2012 Author Share #10 Posted June 9, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Meatcan Posted June 9, 2012 Share #11 Posted June 9, 2012 Wow - that is some mighty fantastic super detailing! Really outstanding :thumbsup: Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robswashashore Posted June 9, 2012 Share #12 Posted June 9, 2012 Bravo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plick27 Posted June 9, 2012 Share #13 Posted June 9, 2012 Holy crow! That's awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted June 9, 2012 Share #14 Posted June 9, 2012 Believe me when I say how impressed I am! I lack all necessary talent to even begin such a remarkable task. My hat is off to you! :bravo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GITom1944 Posted June 10, 2012 Share #15 Posted June 10, 2012 Well researched and flawlessly executed. Beautiful job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siege1863 Posted April 3, 2015 Author Share #16 Posted April 3, 2015 With more modelers now frequenting the forum, I thought it might be worth reintroducing this post. With age I have lost my ability to work in such fine detail. I will never be able to undertake such a project again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted April 3, 2015 Share #17 Posted April 3, 2015 Very nice! I remember that set. The ammo belt would not bend very well. How did you get the ammo to stay in the ammo can? ...Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siege1863 Posted April 3, 2015 Author Share #18 Posted April 3, 2015 Very nice! I remember that set. The ammo belt would not bend very well. How did you get the ammo to stay in the ammo can? ...Kat After I "accordioned" the belt, I twisted fine wire around the folds underneath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyCanteen Posted April 3, 2015 Share #19 Posted April 3, 2015 That is amazing! Thanks for bringing this back up Siege. RC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtyScout Posted April 4, 2015 Share #20 Posted April 4, 2015 Really excellent work. It looks so real that I was about to get behind it and fire off a belt. Way to go siege! Semper Fi. Manny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted April 6, 2015 Share #21 Posted April 6, 2015 Very nice work. You did a great job on the cradle. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45ACP Posted April 9, 2015 Share #22 Posted April 9, 2015 WOW man beautiful work. I missed seeing this post first time around. But great work. I see you made it a conversion from a WWI M1917 gun to M1917A1 gun. Really nice work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GITom1944 Posted April 10, 2015 Share #23 Posted April 10, 2015 Great job in every way and a useful reference on the water cooled .30. Hats off to a master craftsman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backtheattack Posted April 11, 2015 Share #24 Posted April 11, 2015 Fantastic work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custermen Posted April 11, 2015 Share #25 Posted April 11, 2015 Great job. With more modelers now frequenting the forum, I thought it might be worth reintroducing this post. With age I have lost my ability to work in such fine detail. I will never be able to undertake such a project again. I struggle with the same problem. I want to scratch-build a 1/6 scale Civil War breech-loading cannon but it is proving too much for me. I decided it is time to seek help with fabrication of some of the parts. I thought about seeking some local modeler who had some skills to help me build a few detailed parts. Maybe I should visit some more hobby shops to see if they know of anyone who could help. But maybe there is someone on this forum who would like to give me a hand. This would require me to make detailed drawings for pieces that I need for my gun. I bought an existing carriage and plan to use the axle and wheels. Is there anyone who would like to help me with my project? My project? A 1.56 inch smooth bore breech-loading Williams Gun. Only 42 were made for the Confederacy. There are no photos or description of the carriage but I have my ideas of what I want it to look like: basically a Prairie No. 1 Carriage but with a single beam that will mount the cannon on a pintle mount. This photo shows detail of the mechanism. The front sight is missing. I have made the basic parts of the barrel and the breech and large cam. They may not be precise and I may have to re-make the breech with a stronger plastic. There are a lot of small parts that I need help with, as well as trying to piece together the crank mechanism so it will operate. IM me if you are interested. The reason I want to build this model is to use in presentations on the history of the local battle where this gun was used. Also, the local museum may want to display it. I have a 1/6 scale figure to display with the gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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