I'm printing some models of these guns, hoping to make a diorama of a battery. One thing I have a query about is in various contemporary images of these pieces the strakes on the wheels seem to point in different directions on different guns, ie In-up-out or vice versa.
Was there any reason for this or was it just random?
Any insight on this is much appreciated.
-- Edited by fidgeh on Thursday 10th of September 2026 08:32:32 PM
I had in my heap some images of 8inch howitzers built by Bethelem Steel (attached). The NARA reference is 165-WW-380B.
It looks like ex-factory the Mark VI howitzers had the inner side of the strake ahead of the outer (facing towards the muzzle). I agree that outside the factory the strakes point in random directions.
However, images of the Mark 1-V 8inch howitzers seem to show the opposite orientation including one Landships II image which seems to be from the factory.
I have no idea why this should be but it seems to fairly easy to swap the wheels around they are located on the axle by a large pin with an attached ring.
What scale are you printing in?
Charlie
-- Edited by CharlieC on Thursday 10th of September 2026 11:45:14 PM
-- Edited by CharlieC on Friday 11th of September 2026 12:09:38 AM
-- Edited by CharlieC on Friday 11th of September 2026 12:11:19 AM
I had in my heap some images of 8inch howitzers built by Bethelem Steel (attached). The NARA reference is 165-WW-380B.
It looks like ex-factory the Mark VI howitzers had the inner side of the strake ahead of the outer (facing towards the muzzle). I agree that outside the factory the strakes point in random directions.
However, images of the Mark 1-V 8inch howitzers seem to show the opposite orientation including one Landships II image which seems to be from the factory.
I have no idea why this should be but it seems to fairly easy to swap the wheels around they are located on the axle by a large pin with an attached ring.
What scale are you printing in?
Charlie
-- Edited by CharlieC on Thursday 10th of September 2026 11:45:14 PM
-- Edited by CharlieC on Friday 11th of September 2026 12:09:38 AM
-- Edited by CharlieC on Friday 11th of September 2026 12:11:19 AM
Thank you for the reply, much appreciated. I am printing in 1/35, planning a total of 5 for a diorama. This is the first attempt, along with some of the many figures needed. These were 'harvested' from contemporary photos using AI and turned into 3d print files.
I imagine that the wheels would fit on the axle either way around. They were not mechanically handed or offset. And I suspect that the orientation made zero difference in actual operation.
The orientation of the strakes probably makes no difference so long as the sides are in opposite orientations. Although the towing speeds
of the howitzers was quite low (3 -4 mph was typical for Holt tractors) having 13 tons of howitzer crabbing while under tow wouldn't have be a fun experience.
