A journal following the history, design, construction and operation of Bernard Kempinski's O Scale model railroad depicting the U. S. Military Railroad (USMRR) Aquia-Falmouth line in 1863, and other model railroad projects.
©Bernard Kempinski All text and images, except as noted, on this blog are copyrighted by the author and may not be used without permission.
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February 9, 2022

Cannon Fever




It's winter and we are cooped up. I have cannon fever. So, I drew a 1/48th scale 3- inch rifle, a common Union field artillery piece in Fusion 360 today.   I left a few details off the drawing. They will be added with the photo etched parts I have on hand.



Laser cut cannon with 3D printed limber

If you recall, I already have 1/48th scale cannon made with laser cut parts, cast metal barrels and photo etched detail parts. They look good, but require some assembly. If the 3D files work out, the 3d printed cannons will have much simpler assembly. 

Combined with the 3D printed limber I made a few months ago, I will be able to begin field artillery batteries as scenery items for the layout. If the test prints work out, the Aquia Line will be brimming with cannon soon.


To answer the question in the comment below, here is a table of cannons commonly used in the civil war.




Decal artwork

Last night I did some graphics work for Brian Kelly. He lives in our area and is modeling the C&O. He wanted a decal for a milk truck on his layout. But, all he had was a rough photo of the company's logo from a cloth patch. He asked me to redraw it so he could make a decal. I am including it here in case anyone else might need it.  You can re-size it as needed when you print the decal.





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4 comments:

  1. JeffFebruary 09, 2022

    Beautiful models (digital & real) Bernie. I'm curious, your cannon and limber is showing a brass barrel on the cannon. Did they have brass barrels in the civil war? I was under the impression they were all cast iron? Jeff

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    Replies
    1. BernieFebruary 09, 2022


      Long after the Bronze Age was over for swords, knives and pole-weapon heads, the prehistoric alloy was still used for cannon. Why?

      Because while iron and early, uneven-quality steel were fine for contact or melee weapons, they weren’t a sure thing for containing the violent deflagration of gunpowder that launches cannon projectiles towards one’s enemy. Bronze could be cast and machined with high consistency.
      see https://www.billstclair.com/weaponsman.com/index.html%3Fp=32625

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    2. JeffFebruary 11, 2022

      Thanks for clarifying Bernie. Excuse my ignorance, thinking they were brass & not bronze. Were the large cannons the protect coastal fortifications also, or were they late war ordinance, and made from cast iron? They always seem to be black in photos

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    3. BernieFebruary 11, 2022

      I don't recall seeing any photos of bronze coastal guns, so they were probably cast or wrought iron. Some of the big guns were made by hammer welding iron rings. They had trouble back then casting large pieces.

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