The Takom kit apparently is rather bad - the carriage is way too small. More at: http://www.network54.com/Forum/282066/message/1444322303/Takom%27s+21cm+Morser
Too early to decide one way or another on the Takom kit without more hard data, I think. The network 54 thread is partly based on a comparison with a resin kit. Comparisons with another kit, whatever the medium, are not the best way to check a kit's accuracy - they simply show that there is something wrong with one, or both, but not which is 'right' if any. There is some comparison with actual dimensions from a single surviving gun, but that is the wheel dimensions alone. The Takom wheel seems slightly undersized (and a bit too wide in the tyre) but as one poster pointed out it's possible that wheels varied, or that this museum gun had a wheel restored off something else.
I haven't finished my model so I can't say how the overall proportions look, but one thing I can say about the model is that the wheels are single-piece mouldings with mostly hollow backs to the spokes, which is (probably) not correct. I simply filled each spoke with Polyfilla and wiped with a wet finger to get the plastic edge sticking up a little above the filler. Rather quick and dirty but one can't see the area very well in the finished model.
The Network 54 thread is also worth checking out for the link to a review on modellingnews which has some useful suggestions for detail improvement.
I enjoyed my two big Takom guns which go nicely with my Pit-Road 280mm IJA piece. They're chunky and a bit low on detail rather like the real thing, though Takom have, I think, rather skimped on the detail beyond that. The Skoda 30.5cm needed new lugs/bolts from a Meng set (the ones in the kit are too small). I also left the ammunition feed guide off as this was removable in reality - adding a pair of lugs to match photos. You get the ground mounting box, though the lifting rings on the corners are moulded on.
The 42cm can only make one service weapon - that in Wehrmacht service against the Maginot Line etc. The Schiffer book on (some, but not all, and not the 30.5) Skoda heavy siege guns was very useful. The most obvious omission on the piece itself is the little bracket with handle - beside the minirailway on each side - perhaps something to lock the ammunition trolley. I made a couple up and swung the ammunition feed guide through 90 degrees to the firing position. Also they do not provide a full ground box - just the surface (it is necessary to scribe round the moulded on lifing handles to sharpen them up). This makes the kit easier to build and display, but means that it lacks the central well. Actually ,this isn't at all noticeable in the finished model, but photos in the Schiffer book give some idea of what it would look like if you built the gun on a diorama base with a hole in the middle. What did annoy me was the omission of any ammunition and of the trolley to run on the little integral railway. One does get a cameo figure of General Manstein, but I'd rather have the trolley and round.
-- Edited by Lothianman on Wednesday 11th of November 2015 09:09:29 AM
-- Edited by Lothianman on Wednesday 11th of November 2015 09:19:35 AM
Excellent - thanks for that walkaround, it is just what I needed.
It's apparent that the model lacks some detail, particularly rivets on vertical faces of the mould, such as the sides of the wheel spokes, but short of such things as making each wheel out of about several dozen pieces, it's inevitable when working within the limits of injection moulding. As I said, I haven't finished my model yet, but it does seem to be the kind of project where one adds as much detail as one wants/can cope with ...
Just joined up this fine forum. I have just purchased two 1:35th scale models of the 21cm Morser gun, as I shall be constructing the two versions of the gun. Unfortunately, I have to scratch build the gun limbers as there are no available kits.
Some years ago, I assembled the Verlinden resin Kit, and found out that it is totally out of scale. The gun is a mixture of 1:32nd and 1:30th scale; rather than 1:35th scale. Anyhow, Takom has finally released the correct scaled version of the gun. Even so - the model has some short comings, that need to be dealt with. I am at the moment assembling one of the guns and correcting, as I go along.
I found some good reference on www.svsm.org in the walk around sections. I have also included the research pictures available on this site. Combined together, they make a very good and comprehensive information file.
I will be posting some photos as I go along with my build.
Cheers for now.
-- Edited by Bismarck on Thursday 7th of January 2016 11:43:16 AM
__________________
No retreat - No surrender
Just do it your way, and never look back
At the moment, I am cleaning up the pieces from all joint lines and mold markings. One thing that Takom is a bit off track, is the finish quality and the fitting out of the parts. But that is part of our work I guess, as one can choose the level of skill and finish of the assembled product.
Will start posting very soon, but I will do so on a fresh thread.
__________________
No retreat - No surrender
Just do it your way, and never look back
I have just purchased two 1:35th scale models of the 21cm Morser gun, as I shall be constructing the two versions of the gun. Unfortunately, I have to scratch build the gun limbers as there are no available kits. 
