Bobby - Have actually thought about that! It is a brass barrel, with each of the three sections recessed into one another, tightly, for more than 1/2in each, sealed with JB Weld. It will function mechanically with raise/lower barrel; gun upper carriage elevates/lowers; carriage bolster relocates forward/back to support raised upper carriage; gun barrel can be positioned 1) in stow for travel, 2) angled down for breech loading, 3) elevated for firing. Trucks can be removed from under car frame, as prototype did, for mounting onto pivot pad platform and gun rail for 360 degree firing coordinates. Have considered active recoil and recuperator cylinders. Simply have springs within the brass tube cylinders to return the "loose fit" gun barrel within the mount to load/fire orientation. Still thinking about that one.
Ron - I intend to paint the 1920II Rail Gun in "as delivered" color of olive green. First M1920II railway gun was delivered to Fort MacArthur October 1925. Second gun was delivered to Fort MacArthur June of 1930. They could each fire a 1400 lb projectile a distance of 27 miles, protecting the Los Angeles harbor and Naval facilities. Two identical 1920II rail Guns were delivered to the Panama Canal Zone and could be relocated to either Atlantic or Pacific coasts as needed via rail. The guns were later painted in a light tan color in the 1940's. All four guns were decommissioned in 1946 and scrapped within the following year.
Clarence - Thanks for the comments. As I have stated, doing this build from "on hand" materials and enjoying the challenge of my first scratch build.
Greg - Also, sir, thank you for your comments!
Third Rail - Yes, it is a 1920II model 14in Naval gun, mounted on a Baldwin built car frame and truck assemblies. The naval gun and upper carriage assembly was built at the Watertown Arsenal, where the gun and railcar carrier assembly was completed. From Watertown it was transported to Aberdeen Proving Ground for testing and commissioning. A total of four M1920II railway guns were built for the Army Coastal Defense Artillery, two going to the Panama Canal Zone, two assigned to Fort MacArthur, Los Angeles, California. First delivery paint scheme was Army olive green, later painted a light tan during the 1941-1945 war time period. For concealment, the Fort MacArthur guns were kept within false "large farm houses" adjacent to the gun emplacements, moved out to the reinforced concrete platform for 360 degree firing positioning as necessary. During the WWII periods, the entire gun and carriage was maintained upon the firing platform and concealed with camouflaged netting.
Jesse TCA 12-68275
