MORE PICS 1/35 Dora project.

more soon

Yes I recall the force of firing one shell would compress the ballast under the 80 rail axles 3-4" or 75-100mm. That is a lot shock loaded stress on the rail beds and areas of soft ground could only take one shot before the assembly had to be moved to a fresh length of track for extensive repairs where the gun previously sat. .

Regardless if you finish up this year or the next decade do continue to take the time to maintain the excellent work put in so far. I do hop the scene can be move to a contest or museum some time so the public can enjoy your diorama!

I know it looks like a lot but I consider it about half way done. The little vignettes will be tied in together and there are a few very major additions still to be done and of course the never ending changes and repaintings. I don't like to think about how much more there is to do. I like to just break it into little projects otherwise it just seems hopeless. By the way, from my research the breaking of railroad ties was a big headache for Dora. The double track was sufficient to hold the weight of the gun but when the gun was fired the recoil would shove the train downward onto the track. With high trajectory shots almost all of the force of the recoil would be directed directly downward multiplying the weight of the Dora several times for a few seconds. You can see the extra supports for the the rail ties in photographs of the Dora (which I am working on and hopefully will be added in a month or so).  Still, it was a neverending process of replacing railroad ties whenever the Dora was in action and hundreds of damaged, discarded railroad ties followed her wherever she went.. From the beginning, I knew depicting this constant repair process and how I suspect the repairs would be performed would have to be part of the diorama.

Nice addition!

The crew looks perfect shoveling the ballast out of the back, must not be a 'county crew' as there is only one worker leaning on his shovel.

At what point will you consider the project finished? It seems there can be several mini dioramas in a scene of this scale, scope & size.

Got it, p47. Understood.

That's terrific! Many thanks.

Wally.

(Well, the addy didn't get me there, but got a great printout of what you provided.)

more soon

pics soon

Wow...simply wow. That is one impressive undertaking, that first shot of the blasting cap gives a sense of scale to not only the truck but to the Dora in the background. Always loved the Dora and you have definitely done her justice. I'm watching this with anticipation of more pics =D

I know Tom Moon did a great job on his Dora back in 07, perhaps he would have the dimensions you seek.

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=102439&ord=&page=1

I don't think I could bring myself to do it either (LOL). They're neat engines (7 built, 5 put in service? from memory). Why make them look like a "pimpmobile"?

I understand the tactical imperative (I think), but I just wonder what it might have looked like from 1,000 feet up.

more pics soon

Normally, I try and avoid hyperbole, but I have to say your conceptualization and its execution are superb! 

I've been giving my own (stash) Dora some thought and research. If the time-line worked better, I'd say you had been there.

I wonder if you'd let on about your sources for modeling the engines. I could only find one "zebra" camo photo, and it none too helpful.

New pics of new addition

pics soon

really good nice detail work

p47faninchicago

Never posted because I just never felt it was ever ready or good enough.  

wtf !?!?! Seriously ?? I am drooling over here, I wish I had the funds to get one....I am in awe. I am planning a BR52 and a karl in a maintenance yard dio, about 2' x 7', seems small compared to this. Well done, I will definately be watching this.

WOW!!!

That is truly a nice diorama. What are the dimensions of the entire layout?

Looking forward to some overhead shots.

Welcome to the FORUM.

Thanks for all the support!. I am changing the left side of the diorama. Just something about that flatbed railcar with the crane I just don't like. Can't really put my finger on it. Anyway, I should have the rework done in a week or so and will take some more pics and some "overall" shots. Thanks again! 

WOW this is just AMAZING WORK!!!! Very impressive!

Took the words right out of my mouth... I'd love to see an "overall" shot.

Beautiful work! That Dora is one of my dream builds, alas, it isn't in the cards due to lack of 'fun money' and time.

I would love to see a full shot of the entire diorama (as well as one from the back), regardless of the background. Just to get an idea of the full expanse.

more pics soon 

p47, I'm really taken with both your Dora and dio work, but for now I'll go with the popular flow that wants to focus on the gun. I've got Karl and Leopold before Dora, but I'll definitely start D next year. I'm very interested in how you weathered the gun (total assembly).

I think your dio work is well worth featuring as well, but all in due time, eh? I'm puzzling out my own setting questions for all three.

Thanks for posting this first rate project.

Wally.

Yes don't worry about the back ground. I was interested in technical detail pictures of the Dora gun and the other vehicles in and around the diorama scene. 

Thanks!

Jason

I've got the camera ready. I may forgo the backdrop-it's a ten foot long mountain scene and is a real pain in the rear to set up. I think a lot of these Dora's are packed away in people's back rooms. When I got mine I let it sit for 6 months before I decided to try it. It is really intimidating.

I'll echo the request for more photos and add that when I saw the locomotives, I got quite excited because I thought some one had come out with a kit! (I've got a Soar Dora waiting in the stash.) You do a very high class of work to my eye.

I note that you've got Dora on the curved tracks, a detail often missed in in-action dios.

Bravo, all around.

Very cool, more pics please!!

Thad

SCHA-WING

hkshooter

Very awesome project. Wish I could see it in person. Do post more pics

Yes I would request more pictures as well, have the 1/144 scale Dora kit in stash 3000 miles away that is about 20% complete. Would like to see details like the ammunition crane assembly and in between the main structures.

Thanks

Jason

Very awesome project. Wish I could see it in person. Do post more pics

Never posted because I just never felt it was ever ready or good enough. Still a lot more work to do. Guess it's one of those things you can work on forever and never say it is really finished or that something doesn't need to be fixed. The diorama is 4ft.X7ft. I'll take some pictures this weekend and post them of the new stuff that has been added if there is any interest-about 30 figures and numerous vehicles, etc. not in these pictures. I would love to do the enormous Gantry cranes made for the Dora but I can't find measurements.