Researching the Dora

Best bet is to search this site, your bound to find a WIP or two. Plus the other modeling sites as well, that's where I found this WIP..... http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=102439&page=1

Hope it helps.

While I have not built one myself, I have seen one up close at a show  a couple of years ago and I have to say it's a very impressive model.The detail is certainly adequate and the sheer size makes up for most of that.

The disappointing thing about the model I saw was not the kit but rather the paint job. It was a crying shame to see a $650 model that took untold hours to construct look like it was spray painted with a rattle can and then had a couple of passes of "grimy brown" sprayed on the lower surfaces... I know some modelers approach painting/weathering in different ways and some folks are happy with clean vehicles. That's perfectly fine but this person had halfheartedly attempted some weathering. What I saw was a person that was burned out and just wanted to get it done, it really was a shame.

Please please, if you're going to go to the trouble of building something like that, then spend an equal amount of time painting it and give it the finish it deserves... That is all the advice I can give.

Happy Modeling and good luck!

I found a copy of The old Squadron Signal Book, 'German Railroad Guns in Action'... It has quite a few photos of the Dora including it's firing positions, broken down pieces for transport ect ect... Try to get your hands on that book.

brutus1175

So the wife and I have decided I can get the 1/35 Dora with tax $ in a cpl months.

I have a previously opened but 100% complete kit that I am never going to build. It was an impulsive purchase and it will just sit here in the stash forever IMO.

I am willing to bet I could beat any current selling price. I was thinking of putting it on ebay but if you would like to talk about this just send me a PM.

HeeeHeeeHeee... I remember when you got that Ken... What? You're not going to build it??? Wuss!!

@ KDawg, I usually take as long if not longer on paint and weathering, After watching and learning from Doog and WBill76, I hav'nt bought a can in years. I have a Badger 150 that I always use, and thinking of upgrading to the Anthem.  I also found that book on Amazon, looks like a must have.

@MG, I saw Tom Moon's work a while back, I really like the way his shaped up.

K-dawg

HeeeHeeeHeee... I remember when you got that Ken... What? You're not going to build it??? Wuss!!

LOL!

It's actually much worse than that brother...

I started building the one you remember and then a railroad modeling friend of mine just had to have it for his layout. This is a second one that I bought and planned to use the upgrade sets but yeah... time to face reality.

Don't ask me what I was thinking buying one, let alone two!

Oye! Come'on man!... Just go out there and build it, you could have it done by the weekend!...

Props to you for even attempting it. I would LOVE to paint one but i'd never get through the construction.

This is the one I did.

Monty

HUBBBBBBBBBBAAHHH..........

There is a great book if you can find it, the title evades me at this moment. Try bookfinders.com, but it will run $150.00 +, you will need to buy decals, there are a couple of companys selling now. the plastic is simaler to PVC so you will need a glue based on Methal Chloride, Weldon 3, or 4  you can get a quart for  10 to 12 dollars. Good luck it is a fun kit to build but it ways a ton when done and parts break easly when moving. build the tracks first to use as a jig to build the gun. If you can find the book you can detail it up some as the detail is basic.

One thing that stands out from what I've read about the 1/35 kit is that it's not made out of standard styrene...so you may need the type of glue you would use for PVC or similar (double-check this as my memor is fuzzy!) to assemble it. The kit also doesn't come with any of the normal railroad stencils/markings, so you may want to look into that (I believe there's a German AM company that produced a set but not sure on the name) as well as other potential upgrades depending on how all-out you want to go with it in the end!

Kudos to you for tackling this monster! Like many, when it was first announced I was sorely tempted to pick one up but ultimately passed on it. It will be an impressive monster once you've got it built.

Thanks for the heads up on the glue, I had no idea it was'nt styrene. I'm thinking 9-12 months build time, then who knows on paint and weathering. Prob be best to do it in subassemblies. Sherman, thx for the tip on the tracks. I'll also start looking into markings. Thanks again to both of ya.