28mm Coastal Gun
As well as our jungle plant terrain we needed an 8 inch coastal gun (well "need" is a bit strong -we thought it would look authentic if we had one! LOL) to represent the ones used on the Tarawa atoll.
No one manufactures one that actually looks like the ones on the Tarawa beach so...
I ended up drawing one in 3d using Tinkercad. Then I would try to 3d print it.
So I draughted out a shape and imported it to the 3d XYZ printer software. It took a while to get the shape...near the actual (and making sure it looked ok at 28mm and strong (thick) enough to use for gaming).
If you look at a Google search for Tarawa costal guns you will see lots of refence pics...
Its basically a turret gun which the turret has been cut away. Probably due to heat.
There is a slight angle on the front curved face from top to bottom on the original.
So I need to make it so!
But the print is ok.
The roof and rear of the turret are gone they cut them off.
I then used an 88 gun breach and extended it - the barrel (and diameter).
The base of the gun chassis was given a magnet to attach to the casement base - to enable easier storage.
I then had to add some filler to get the angle on the front top to bottom.
My 3d drawing skills were not able to work out the angle on the curve!
Looks ok when painted up Most have a small window cut into the side.
Then I added some "vintage WW2" posters and a camouflage net.
A lot of the actual gun pictures show camo net or cloth material over the firing area.
I assume they roll it to the side for action stations. But its so big they would need it.
The radio, table and map were added - I don't know if they will stay as I still need to get the crew inside! The GI figure is just for scale.
and yes ...its a map of Tarawa on the table
Overall it looks ok and can now represent the type of 8 inch gun we need on Tarawa.
So now I just need to get a crew...
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