I'm printing some models of these guns, hoping to make a diorama of a battery. One thing I have a query about is in various contemporary images of these pieces the strakes on the wheels seem to point in different directions on different guns, ie In-up-out or vice versa.
Was there any reason for this or was it just random?
Any insight on this is much appreciated.
-- Edited by fidgeh on Thursday 10th of September 2026 08:32:32 PM
I had in my heap some images of 8inch howitzers built by Bethelem Steel (attached). The NARA reference is 165-WW-380B.
It looks like ex-factory the Mark VI howitzers had the inner side of the strake ahead of the outer (facing towards the muzzle). I agree that outside the factory the strakes point in random directions.
However, images of the Mark 1-V 8inch howitzers seem to show the opposite orientation including one Landships II image which seems to be from the factory.
I have no idea why this should be but it seems to fairly easy to swap the wheels around they are located on the axle by a large pin with an attached ring.
What scale are you printing in?
Charlie
-- Edited by CharlieC on Thursday 10th of September 2026 11:45:14 PM
-- Edited by CharlieC on Friday 11th of September 2026 12:09:38 AM
-- Edited by CharlieC on Friday 11th of September 2026 12:11:19 AM
I had in my heap some images of 8inch howitzers built by Bethelem Steel (attached). The NARA reference is 165-WW-380B.
It looks like ex-factory the Mark VI howitzers had the inner side of the strake ahead of the outer (facing towards the muzzle). I agree that outside the factory the strakes point in random directions.
However, images of the Mark 1-V 8inch howitzers seem to show the opposite orientation including one Landships II image which seems to be from the factory.
I have no idea why this should be but it seems to fairly easy to swap the wheels around they are located on the axle by a large pin with an attached ring.
What scale are you printing in?
Charlie
-- Edited by CharlieC on Thursday 10th of September 2026 11:45:14 PM
-- Edited by CharlieC on Friday 11th of September 2026 12:09:38 AM
-- Edited by CharlieC on Friday 11th of September 2026 12:11:19 AM
Thank you for the reply, much appreciated. I am printing in 1/35, planning a total of 5 for a diorama. This is the first attempt, along with some of the many figures needed. These were 'harvested' from contemporary photos using AI and turned into 3d print files.
