HobbyBoss 1/72 scale Dora Railway Gun build - part 2

Continuing the build of the HobbyBoss Dora German Railway Gun in 1:72 scale. The Dora model kit was supplied Scale Models HQ (scalemodelshq.com) and you can receive a 10% discount on orders from them by using the code MN10 at checkout.
In this video I build the bulk of the rail gun including the side structures, the gun supports, the gun barrel, and the rear platform. As you can see this is a huge model kit and will be over a metre long when it is on its base.
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[@simongee8928]

Another tip for applying very small parts is to pick them up with a very sharp, fine point craft knife. The knife won't leave any noticeable mark's on the part. Works for me.

[@ModelNerd]

Good tip, thanks Simon

[@robbo1068]

Imagine the engineering on the real Dora....apart from its size all the gadgets, boxes, switches, wheels etc, etc, etc needed to get it to work. No wonder it took a massive crew to fire the monster. Great video, terrific presentation and a tantalising taster for the next Dora episode.

[@ModelNerd]

It must have been an incredible effort

[@barryrudge1576]

I built this model in 2021 even though it i 1/72 in scale it is an awesome size and excellent value. Not for the beginner by any stretch and there is a certain amount of monotony with some parts. I also built a WW2 german locomotive with enough room on the front of the track to show the comparison in size between the two. The track is very flimsy and distorts without additional strength but it is still nightmare to get all four carriages to stay in place on the track while lining up the gun platform. In all after spraying the correct colour it is an impressive build. It now resides under an acrylic display case. If you have plenty of spare cash you can also obtain a 1/35 scale version over 5 ft in length.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks for the information Barry. You're the second person who has told me that getting everything lined up is difficult - now I'm starting to get worried. I'm going to try a dry fit with the rails this week I think.

[@the-primered-thumb]

As a star wars nut, I'd buy this kit just for the greeblies, it's going to be quite a thing when it's completed, happy modelling mate 😉👍

[@ModelNerd]

Haha, you're right! Thanks !

[@thecanadianchurchill4080]

Nice video and build

[@ModelNerd]

Cheers

[@stuartmiller8053]

Great progress. I think all those wheels would have psyched me out and I would have put the kit away! Was thinking about how to show its scale more and wondered how the ammo was transported. Maybe by truck which could add a nice little feature (not that you need more work). Any way keep up the good work. Cheers Stu

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Stu. Yes, I think you're right about adding a couple of trucks or something. I really want to get some figures too, but there's seems no point in having figures on the ground but none on the Dora itself. Currently trying to find some railway figures, which hopefully will be close enough.

[@ryburnsjr]

Its big .really big..I dream of this kit ..but the size is a big deterrent..no place to place the finished product.😀😀😀

[@ModelNerd]

I still haven't solved that problem :D

[@MikeUSA67]

@@ModelNerd I thought that's why you moved 😁

[@johnwoodside8714]

And I thought my 1/32 panzer full interior was tedious hair pulling swearing forehead slapping build. This looks great, enjoying the uploads. Well done buddy it’s coming on fabulously

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks John. I think I might head in that direction now I basically need to repeat everything in the video for the other side of the model! :)

[@christophernorgaar6373]

Yes, doing one operation many times. It can get tiring. The vision of the finished model makes it all worthwhile. Great job, can't wait for paint.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Christopher

[@ChimpOnComputer]

I've been longing to get my hands on one of these but my goodness it's huge, but I love it. After building the BV 222 Wiking, B-52, B-36, YB-49, and some other large bombers I'll definitely be grabbing a Karl Gustav for sure.

[@ModelNerd]

Nice! Have fun!

[@madhatterstudios966]

Great build, makes me want to buy one! Another way to apply small details is using a wax pencil, especially for PE.

[@ModelNerd]

Go for it!

[@allanrichards3752]

I've been making progress on building this kit. I agree that it is a very repetitive build, starting with painting 40 off wheels and axles. I would also say it is very important to be sure of the orientation of the gun. It is very symmetrical and it is easy to loose which is the muzzle and which is the breech end of the carriage. I would strongly recommend assembling the carriage on the rails before painting. I found my model rocked corner to corner and I had to adjust those box structures holding the main beams together. I think the large plastic beams are slightly warped on my kit. I have painted my model German grey and weathered it with lamp black, burnt umber and titanium white oil paints. I am making it look old as if its in a museum. This is because in action this gun was run on curved rails to achieve side to side traverse of the gun. I imagine if one was in a museum then it would likely be on straight rails. Looking fwd to the next installment.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks, that's really helpful. Looking at it from above, I suspect one of my side pieces might be slightly warped too - the two main halves seem to move apart ever so slightly towards the front of the gun. I hope it won't be too much of a problem.

[@allanrichards3752]

@@ModelNerd I actually messed about for ages getting it to sit right on the tracks and be manageable. I ended up gluing the four bridge like structures to the long main beams because if you ran the model along the tracks it would sort of move sideways and these four bridge like things would be leaning at an angle and looking all out of square. I then put some circular plasticard washers on the spigots of the bridge like bits where the trucks fitted so the trucks had a much larger bearing area and it stopped them ending up at an angle. Finally I glued another plasticard washer over the end of the spigots to stop the trucks falling off so I can lift the model off the rails without the trucks falling off because getting all 8 of them on those spigots is a PITA

[@ModelNerd]

Oh wow, that sounds like a lot of work. I'm hoping I won't need to do all that. Thank you for the advice though - I really appreciate it.

[@JohnSmith-sl1my]

It's getting there bit by bit ha . Think of this in 1.35th scale. Keep up the good work 👏

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks, will do!

[@xcomboy666]

Trim the flash, mold lines, and sprue nubs. Shortcuts in the parts prep will always show up on a finished model.

[@ModelNerd]

You mean, like I describe in the video?

[@foreverplastickits138]

*I like your video and your voice, it's so calm! Thanks so much, your build is awesome!*

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you so much - I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@toboldlygosmodelworks1973]

Rail guns are a fascinating subject, cool work

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you James

[@SteveStokes1971]

Looking great. I just finished all the valve wheels. Once I got into a rhythm it wasn’t too bad but I’m glad it’s over lol. I didn’t fill the inside seams on the center structures because I didn’t think it would be that visible but I may go back and try it after seeing yours partially assembled. I’m going with xf22 for final color. Looking forward to your next video. Thanks for sharing the process.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Steve. I think it will look really good in XF-22.

[@bankamarvin2269]

Wow! Great subject. I'm going to get one.

[@ModelNerd]

You should! Have fun!

[@der_fuxs]

This is an absolute monster🙈 When you where talking through the possible colors I just had the idea to use the typical german grey as a base color (with some pre- or post-shading) and then a slight brownish tint towards the bottom areas und a slight blueish tint on the upper surfaces. No idea if this will work out, but I can imagine this gives some nice color variation and sparks interest when watching this huge model. Maybe this even emphasize the size itself.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks, that's a good idea. I definitely need to do some sort of modulation

[@sabahtaha1746]

kudos wonderful build

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate

[@ModeliteDiorama]

Great progress so far! :D But I am still stunned about the size of this thing :D

[@ModelNerd]

You and me both!

[@johnalecsscalemodeling]

Brilliant video mate - so enjoyable and informative. Cheers

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you John - glad you enjoyed it

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Nice update you done thanks for sharing.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks for watching!

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

@@ModelNerd Thanks very much for replying to my comment. It's nice to see other people's work to get idea to improve my Channel. Take Care & Stay Safe

[@t.j.w3561]

Solid! Keep up the great work M.N.!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks! Will do!

[@joesanchez979]

Looking good 🙂

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@bartim0re487]

I got it for about 2 years. I'm still scared to start it

[@ModelNerd]

Give it a go mate! It's not that complicated, just very repetitive in places. The 8 railcars I built in the last video are the worst part.

[@robin---]

👍👍👍

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Robin.

[@BrushQuill]

Coming on nicely mate. Will you be adding some crew?

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. Yes, I'm still searching for crew but I hope so.

[@d.mathers8257]

So, I've been at this model for about 72hrs. I have not had a model with more sprues and wastage in my life. I have spent more time sanding than actually assembling this model. PITA.

[@ModelNerd]

Yes, the beginning of the build is a pain for sure: lots of wheels, repeated for 4 wagons. Lots of similar pieces. But it does get better!

[@d.mathers8257]

@@ModelNerd If I'm going to be sanding pieces like this, I'm going to need to buy shares in the sand paper industry.

[@wernernel7223]

Great stuff once again. Do you prefer AK putty over Tamiya or is it just what you had on hand?

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Werner. The AK is just what I had to hand. However, I have just bought some of their stronger stuff because the putty in the video, which is water cleanable, is not very strong when dry. I guess it is acrylic putty compared to whatever the other stuff is.

[@notmodeling8070]

I got the 1/35 scale for my 50th birthday it's still in the box. Why ? My hbby room can not even fit the base in or on the bench should i,say once are club starts meeeting again im building it in the club room

[@ModelNerd]

That would be awesome! Have fun!

[@epicforger12345]

Did the weights come with the model?

[@ModelNerd]

Yes, all included

[@robertjensen1438]

Just a comment for the algorithm

[@9501599]

Hi have you a part 3 or are you still working on that??

[@ModelNerd]

I'm still working on it :) The problem is a lot of the recent building has just been repeating what was done in this video but for the other side, so nothing really new. However, I do now have some paint on the wagons so expect a video fairly soon. There'll be a part 4 and probably 5 too :)

[@ModelNerd]

In fact it's out now :)

[@9501599]

@@ModelNerd hello again I am looking forward to seeing this and the other parts. I like watching builds like this because it's good to see what other modelers are doing and to get new ideas. ☺ Happy Easter.

[@igorsevcov4081]

🤝👌👏

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Igor :)

[@graysmodels2236]

Sounds a bit like jj modelling🤔

[@johnalecsscalemodeling]

Mate - please send me (a link to) your logo - I want to print one out for my modeling pad. Cheers

[@ModelNerd]

The Benetton B188 or the montage strip at the top of my KZbin page?

[@johnalecsscalemodeling]

@@ModelNerd Round B188 I will add Model Nerd to it :)

[@ModelNerd]

Sure - I'll try to find a high resolution version of it tomorrow. If I forget, feel free to remind me :)

[@ModelNerd]

John, I've uploaded a version here: ibb.co/gSbQFWt

[@johnalecsscalemodeling]

@@ModelNerd Thanks!

[@JosephVespa-ve6zi]

That's a model

[@ModelNerd]

Yep

[@click4mrh]

Well done. Color suggestion Vallejo German Panzer Grey (70603) as a base coat and lighter grey colors to accent and add panel variations.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Michael. Yes, I definitely need to think a lot about colour variation on this one.

[@MVeminor7]

Looking very good! For you to have to add weights says it all.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Michael