Dora 1/35

[Fledermaus]

Hi, here with another update on the Dora build, started to work on the bridges connecting the cars.
Here one of the bridges, very nice details, even the welding on the sides is all there.

First the PE wire mesh is installed


Next the small 2 steps ladders are constructed, they made the ladders with only double tubes
As steps, in my opinion and after looking all over the book I don’t think it is right. So with balsa wood I constructed the steps for each ladder.

In this photo you can see what I mean by double tubes steps, and the new wood step

The finished ladder looks way better with the wood steps

Now the storage boxes on front of the cars are modified, the hinge details are too big, so with a
Small file I sanded it down to a more to scale size.

Now that the hinges are resized I added details and latches to the small access door on top of the box


Also handles made with copper wire

The other box is detailed also

The strange looking locking system is my interpretation of it after melting my eyes looking at the photos on the Taube book

Some rivet details were added with archers resin rivet detail decals

Here the ladders and boxes in place

Now I moved to the installation of the hand rails, as you can see this are way too tall, to the trumpeter figure body it is up to his chest.



I’m thinking between cutting it down to the correct high or replacing it with brass rod.
Thanks for watching
Abdin

[mike walsh]

Wow , this is impressive , it is huuuge .

You may need a proper industrial spray gun to paint this devil .
Nice work , look forward to seeing more.

Thanks

Michael

[Fledermaus]

Hi guys!
Update on the Dora continues, the brass arrived and started to make the needed hand rails.
I used K&S brass rod 1.5mm

Using the original handrails as a guide, the different pieces are held together with tape to be soldered


The finished parts for one of the cars ready to install

Now it looks like this with the new handrails, these are now 27mm tall from the floor to the top of the rail tube. After observing the original photos and comparing it to the rails on the trumpeters Leopold it now looks right.



Now with the rails height corrected, the large storage box of on one of the front cars needs to be corrected to match the new height.

I Used 2.5 x 3mm square styrene rod to make the box match the new height of the handrail.

[Fledermaus]

The new parts glued in place

Small styrene triangles are cut to make the reinforcements on the box sides

The finished box



Now the box and the handrails are the same height



Now I moved to the trunnions, this are the parts that hold the complete gun assembly on both sides of the main carriage. The trunnions where finished before I decided to redo all the handrails so I had to remove all the handrails and supports from each side
The platform or bridge of the trunnion is also assembled and the new handrail constructed and installed



Now working on the side handrails of the trunnions, almost done. More coming.
Thanks!
Abdin

[Gopher]

Great work so far, Abdin!

[brokeneagle]

That's fanatastic work your doing on this kit - what are u using for reference?


Ian.

[Fledermaus]

Thanks Andrey

Hi Ian, Im using the book "Deutsche Eisenbahn Geschütze" by Gerhard Taube
Its the best reference on Dora, it also has some info on the Leopold but mostly is
All Dora. The only drawback is its in german, but loaded with photos of dora being
Assembled, very good book. Also it shows the giant gantry cranes used to assemble
The gun on site. I ordered it from Gemany through book looker.its hard to find in the
States.

[schlichtr]

Man that is going to be big. Have you cleaned out the garage yet? Great job.

Roy

[Fledermaus]

Hi Roy, I already sold the car, maybe the next is the jetboat, will see how much more space is needed...

[Pvt Mutt]

My brother built one of these and it's a monster.

Tony lee