Working on some Field Artillery - s.I.G. 33 [TANKS]

["Paul DesRosiers" <pdesr-at-advantagecs.com>]

Title: Working on some Field Artillery - s.I.G. 33

I’m new to the RC and Tank building process, but interested in learning both as well as participating in an event. 

As my first project, I choose a piece of Field Artillery – the German 150mm s.I.G. 33 L / 11.  Here is a link to see the real thing:

https://www.infantry.army.mil/museum/outside_tour/guns/german_15cm.htm

My goal on this build was to use as much scrap material as I could find in my garage to “proto-type” the design.  I very early-on realized that a 1/6 scale of this would be very small.  Therefore, I went with a 1/4 scale.  This makes the entire piece almost 4 feet long.  This may be needless to say, but I’ve named this model – “Project Target Practice”.  It should be fun to shoot up with the real thing, once it’s built.  I’ve attached my picture to this email.

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One of my primary objectives is to have fun and involve my kids.  I’m hoping to build a couple of simple artillery pieces that my 10 year old daughter and 7 year old son can operate.  (The 2 year old will have to watch, or ride shot-gun when Moms not watching.  Either way, controlling one of these is clearly out of the picture for him :)  Following the artillery builds, I’ll give some thought to a tank or support vehicle that I can have fun with.

I’m hoping to hear some feedback on two fronts:

1)      The construction of this piece of artillery.  ANY advice is much appreciated, so speak freely.  I’ll try to continue to post pics as things move along.  Also assume very little knowledge on my end – this will make you right most of the time.

2)      The involvement of the kids.  Does anyone else involve their children?  Is this welcomed at competitions?  My hope is that they can control a piece of stationary field artillery – not be running around the field of battle.  I’m also considering building a small protective shield for them to stand behind, perhaps with a Plexiglas or lexan shield.

Thanks much.

Paul DesRosiers

HPIM2656.JPG