! need ammo!

[Calimero]

I finally decided to buy some WWI heavy artillery for my French army collection. I bought a Canon de 155 GPF and two M1917 155mm guns. All are 3D printed, 1/56^th models. I've also built about a dozen empty handed "crew" from Wargame Atlantic miniatures.

My question is, what size should the shells be at this scale? Also, is there a place that sell models that could fit to represent the ammunitions for this type of heavy artillery pieces?

Cheers! 

[FifteensAway]

Sorry, don't recall the company name but I did buy some 3D printed shells (okay but not 'great') for WWI era.  So they are out there.  If I recall the name soon, I'll swing back by and post it - don't hold your breath, busy prepping for a game soon.

[carlos marighela]

One way to do this is to use brass aftermarket shells for model kits. Of course save for the odd anti-tank and AA gun shells in anything between 1/56 and 1/48 (the typical range of things 28mm-ish) are pretty thin on the ground.

One work around is to go up a scale or two but using smaller calibre piece. The most common modelling scale, at least where aftermarket parts come in,  is 1/35. So if, for example, you want a 155mm shell or shell case in roughly 1/48- 1/50 choose a scale 105mm shell case in 1/35. 1/35 is roughly 1.4 times 1/50 and 155mm is just shy of 1.5 times the size of a 105mm round, at least in terms of diameter.

These turned brass shells aren't terribly expensive and most will allow you to model expended shell cases as well as ready rounds.  It's more expensive than cutting up appropriately sized bits of plastic rod but far less work and a touch more realistic. Will they be precise scale representations of the ordnance in question? Likely not but then they are game pieces and avatars anyway.

Here's an example of what's out there but a quick google for 1/35  [insert calibre] artillery shells will give you loads of results.

https://spruebrothers.com/rbm35p018-1-35-rb-model-ammunition-105mm-kanone-18/

[FifteensAway]

Recalled the supplier, Butler Printed Models - and here is a link:

https://www.butlersprintedmodels.co.uk/15mm/15mm/ww1/9.2-shells-15mm.html

Obviously, those are 15 mm but maybe check around the site and see if they have in larger scale - or will print these in larger size.  Pretty easy to do, some 3D folk do it without making a big deal out of it while others try to make out as if it is some sort of demanding and 'expensive' process.  It ain't.  My local 3D guy does it at request all the time for me - and doesn't charge an 'arm and a leg' when doing so, same or lower price since usually reducing size for me.

[Calimero]

Thanks both for the info, I'll check them out ASAP.

Cheers!

[Baron von Wreckedoften]

"Am(m)o, amas,
I love a lass.
Amat, amamus,
She's got teddy bear pyjamas."

Sorry.

[bluewillow]

I have a 155mm shell in the wargames room I will measure it for you.

Look at 1/48th or even 1/35th scale model shell pieces.



Cheers
Matt

[Cubs]

When I made shells for my Para howitzer I put a short length of thick wire in a mini-drill, then put a diamond-dust cutting disc in a second mini-drill and brought them together. It was very quick and easy, BUT for goodness' sake wear eye protectors, because they kick up a lot of tiny metal shards that your cornea will not thank you for.

[carlos marighela]

I have a 155mm shell in the wargames room.....



Cheers
Matt

That might be the ultimate expression of spousal disapproval and from up to 30 kms away too. 

[bluewillow]

That might be the ultimate expression of spousal disapproval and from up to 30 kms away too. 

”Long Distance, the next best thing to being there!