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Post Info TOPIC: Airfix WW1 Horse Artillery
d_fernetti


Hero

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Airfix WW1 Horse Artillery
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Yesterday, by chance, visited a hobby shop and bought a Airfix's WW1 horse Artillery set in 1/72 (more like HO/OO) The contents are quite basic and apart from the figures it all should be scratchbuilt if not intended for wargaming.
What's the opinion of the group regarding these figures? They sure are a recast of some ancient figure set, as the molds seem a bit worn out. It's the first time I ever seen them, since it wasn't the usual infantry sets that were available commonly around here, and the manufacturer is Hornby, that has unearthed some old molds for a re-pop again.
WHat are supposed to be those cannons? Is the limber and spoked wheels more or less akin to scale accuracy?
TIA for the comments!

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philthydirtyanimal


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My opinion is this is a very useful set.

The crew figures are very good, I think, in very animated and lifelike poses. Some people insist that artillerymen always wore some sort of hat and were always kneeling and always had moustaches etc etc, but my opinion is different. I use these crew figures with Emhar's 18 pounder. Emhar's gun is excellent, but their crew is awful.

The team riders can be used as such, or they can be converted into cavalry:
http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/rsutton/Special%20Features/Cavalry%20in%20WW1/BEF_Cav_1.jpg

The limber riders can be used as such or made into passengers for a motor vehicle.

The wheels are very useful and would be difficult to scratch build (for me).

The limber is about the right size and makes a good base for detailing. It is the only British limber in plastic 1/72/76. The pole trail, however, is kinked and it should be straight.

The gun is a laughable interpretation of a 13-pounder. Probably. This set was originally called 'Royal Horse Artillery' and for most of the time they used the 13-pounder (although for some of the time, some of them were equipped with the 18 pounder). The examples in the box should probably be set aside and used on top of birthday cakes (without the wheels, which are useful).

The 13-pounder is still in action, and if you want to see it limbered and harnessed correctly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z85K9brQ34
(the artillerymen's uniforms are not correct for WW1, as you probably guessed, but note that team riders are always on the left).

I have been considering using the Airfix/Hornby/HaT 13-pounder in a diorama, but with the gun and most of the limber covered up with cloth covers, tarpaulins, muzzle cover, boxes and bundles. Just to hide the awful gun!

 



-- Edited by philthydirtyanimal on Thursday 1st of October 2009 03:05:00 PM

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baldwin


Hero

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Hi
If you two can wait the W^D 18pdr is at the casters along with the limbers (and other goodies) I have also ordered horses etc for the gun team. Once I have these cast up I can send them to the figure sculptor for the gun team and a set of gunners.
This will take time but having committed myself to the gun and limbers then I might as well do the rest.

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Barry John
Ironsides


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Hi D.... Ah the Airfix WW1 Royal Horse Artillery I think more of a toy soldier collectors piece... this kit.. well toy really was'nt around very long 68-73/74, so the moulding is still pretty good when compared with the originals since it has only been released a couple of times by Hät since, and the moulds were made to last...
So what you have is probarbly as good as the original, barring some slight pitting to the mould that has caused some small lumps on some of the pieces...
By now I'm sure you realise I know this set well.... a favourite as a kid i still have several mint original sets... well as mint as they can be after 40 years but still pretty good...
The gun... Unless your a wargamer or a dyed in the wool airfix fan the less said the better, bin it and buy one of WDs...
The limber... I think it would take as much work to make something decent out of this as it would be to scratch build one....... so bin it and buy WDs....
The crew are doughtless usefull but need some work to clean up but can be added to Emhars much better 18 pdr, the seated figures can be used as crew also or for trucks etc, on the whole there ok..
The horses are an odd bunch and I dont think the harness is accurate... so WDs
The wheels are not the right type but will probarbly be usefull in the spares box....
Of course if you chuck a tarpaulin over it as PDA suggests... its fine.....
Actually for me its a nostalgia kit, a few years ago i did have a go at bringing it into the 21st century but Im afraid my modelling skills(never very good )had suffered by neglect...... well thats my excuse anyway......

Ok so i will mention the gun, everythings missing including the breech...... they never did look right........oh and I think the wheels should be flat.....

Cheerssmile



-- Edited by Ironsides on Thursday 1st of October 2009 10:19:26 PM

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Brennan


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A suggestion if you can find the bits.

1. Take the infamous 13pdr, cut the barrel etc off in front of the shield, invert it & pin & glue back on.

2. Using styrene strip square off the recuperator (which is now below the barrel)

3. Take the gun carraige of the (almost equally infamous Airfix ACW Artillery) cut the axel tree extension at the line of the carriage.

4. Cut the front of the carriage so the reconfigured (see 1.) 13pdr gun & shield can be fitted & pinned (& glued).

5. Drill & pin the carriage so the pins fit just under were the 13pdr will sit (this should be approx 2mm up from where they were), then reattach the cut axel sections.

6. Result is a fairly heavily simplified Putilov with the later square recuperator housing.

I would add pics but did the conversion for a friend so have to get them back to photograph.

-- Edited by Brennan on Monday 30th of November 2009 12:59:47 PM

-- Edited by Brennan on Monday 30th of November 2009 01:00:36 PM

-- Edited by Brennan on Monday 30th of November 2009 01:01:30 PM

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d_fernetti


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good ideas! thanks!!

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