Moving And Reasembling An Old World War One Artillery Relic | Huge Moves | Spark

An expert team of heavy hauliers attempts to transport a massive World War One artillery gun 400 miles from the Royal Artillery in Wiltshire to a museum in Utrecht, Holland. The rare 200-ton gun was designed to be moved around the Western Front on rail lines. But for this move, the team has no option but to travel by road and sea.
They must battle to separate the huge cast-iron barrel from its railway carriage, and load both huge sections for an epic truck trip across southern England. A treacherous North Sea voyage awaits, followed by the daunting task of re-assembling the monster gun in Holland - if it fits into the exhibition hall that is. Time is tight - there’s no room for delay. Will the team get this antique army relic in place for its grand public unveiling?
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Super-size missions, risky routes, and the biggest cargo on the planet-imagine hauling a submarine over dry land, transporting a fleet of mega-yachts across the Atlantic, or relocating 20 ancient Egyptian temples...and now meet the heavy hauliers who tackle incredible odds to get the job done.
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#HugeMoves #ArtilleryGun #RoyalArtillery

[@lukebarnes8097]

I love how in every animation if they get something slightly wrong it turns into a massive disaster. My personal favourite was the one where they animated the lorry backing in through the museum gates and getting the corner slightly wrong, resulting in the carriage falling off, rolling about 4 times and demolishing the museum wall. XD

[@joeman1437]

I decided to read the comments a bit while watching the video, and thought to myself "lol, that'll be funny to see" when you mentioned the part about the carriage rolling. Yeah, you weren't wrong, that was honestly hilarious.

[@jimthebrit]

"...If we go to the 3D graphics, the ship's upside down!"

[@ryanc9586]

Which episode?

[@frogstamper]

Agreed, the rolling carriage was laughable...if it fell off at sixty mph maybe it would roll two or three times but at a snail's pace it would just fall off, at worst.:)

[@secretslayer1234]

1 ton shells! Imagine the damage Also, who ever was driving that car at 21:40, you are a complete Muppet

[@bailey125]

Technically they do have right of way, but they could have stopped out of common curtesy, which many drivers seem to lack unfortunately. They also lack defensive driving skills.

[@bearbon2]

I like these shows but they always try too hard to come up with potential disasters every couple of minutes. Moving the gun would have been interesting by itself without the drama.

[@JevaughnGraham123]

Bro i swear

[@PacoOtis]

Great comment!!

[@constructionwatcher5381]

You are exactly right. I almost gave up half way thorough because of all the fake drama, but managed to soldier through to the end. Now I remember why I never subscribed to this channel despite the interesting content.

[@arandomsystemglitch2398]

Well it probably wasn't setup for that Cause in irl with no setup its still dangerous no matter what definitely being shipped across the sea or air cause they could sink or crash

[@protorandom9097]

@@arandomsystemglitch2398 tbf you can also sink or crash without a 200 ton railway cannon

[@yolanda231000]

What incredibly childish over-dramatization. Ranks up there with US Discovery channel.

[@gordonilaoa1275]

US documentaries seem to show more tension and drama then is really necessary.

[@liammurphy2725]

You watched it though.

[@georgebrill6549]

Very interesting, I really liked the pictures of the gun, and the historical footage as well. Was amused at how dramatic you made it seem. At the end you would think they deserved medals.

[@Sur-Ron]

Some serious driving skills on display!

[@suetownsend1656]

This is just so spiffingly English ... chaps doing some very impressive things and making it all seem like a jolly lark. An absolute delight to watch.

[@hoilst265]

"So, I gave it a few smites..."

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

What the trucker at 0:32 said sounds like what my dad and other truckers here in the US say!

[@Pillock25]

As much as I love these shows, the fake drama becomes annoying, it's always the same, will they manage this on time? If they don't get this done, this could happen, the weather's looking bleak. At the end of the day, it's always job well done, pats on the back all round.

[@milespostlethwaite1154]

I agree. The fake drama is very tiresome.

[@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath]

It’s even used in van to RV conversion videos.

[@MostlyPennyCat]

If they just prefixed each with "at the time" I would be fine with it

[@AdvancedUSA]

The suspense is made for TV. I’m sure they have tape measures at the museum to see if the gun will clear the doors. Every aspect of a move like this has been under engineering planning for months. Very few surprises.

[@TheIndustrialRetrospective]

Said it before and I'll say it again... I LOVE this series!

[@SparkDocs]

🙌🙌🙌

[@joedingo7022]

Not only did they move it, but it seems that when they moved the entire assembly with the barrel mounted the forces involved un-stuck the wheel bearings so it was rolling instead of sliding, meaning that returning it must be easier.

[@YukariAkiyamaTanks]

I love this series, I can't wait for the next episode.

[@MostlyPennyCat]

"If we go to the 3D graphics... oh, I never realised it modelled all the screaming"

[@andybelcher1767]

Excellent documentary, thank you. I didn't know that this gun was still in existence so a double delight. I assume that a separate loading wagon would have been used to load the gun; a pity that it is not together with the barrel and carriage. Superb job by H C Wilson's drivers getting in and out of that hall.

[@datguy9666]

At the moment the gun resides at The Royal Armouries Fort Nelson. Its a museum that you can visit, I recommend it, if you can go and like guns.

[@derekstocker6661]

Fabulous move Folks, so very well done, real expertise shown well. The computer graphics are fabulous and really show what we DONT want to see! Amazes me how this was all done first about 100 years ago, just goes to show that to a point not much changes, only the method. Love this.

[@frogstamper]

38:00 Now that is some very skilful reversing...

[@wss2191]

I used to see this on the way to work everyday just sat there, crazy this video has come about

[@debeerpaul]

What a fantastic piece of engineering. All in that beautiful green paint.

[@sjoerd5629]

Now waiting for part 2.... Moving it back to England after the exhibition

[@GoBlue79]

This was incredibly enjoyable - massively fascinating and historical.

[@ghosthildebrand3078]

When the German Gustav laughs at the adorable English howitzer

[@immaturedemolitions8220]

It's a ww1 gun, not ww2, it has seniority on that millennial

[@n3glv]

I bet the wee lad seen sitting astride the shell will carry that memory for the rest of his life. Well done!

[@MrGoesBoom]

Seems like if they had just made sure some basic maintenance was carried out on this thing instead of just letting it sit around and rust ( and seriously, if you're going to keep it why WOULDN'T you make sure it gets a bit of care now and then? Hell, make it a punishment detail if you have to ) this whole move would have been alot easier.

[@TraditionalAnglican]

Agreed. Cleaning off the rust & putting in a few shots of grease every 3 years would’ve made the job a lot easier & made it look a lot better in the yard.

[@davidworsley7969]

It had been well cared for-how else could it have been out in all weathers for over a hundred years and not rusted away to nothing ?

[@dodgydruid]

"an old engine" indeed one of several BR class 08-11 shunters sold to Holland, Holland quite liked British engines and learned a lot from Vulcan Foundries and English Electric. Australia too had some of those shunters which are still in mainline use today on British rails, the original class 11 was developed by the LMS.

[@JG-mp5nb]

Massive work!

[@gregg19809]

Absolutely Brilliant.

[@brianbrown826]

Royal Engineers, best corps ever!

[@christopherwhatcott6235]

Brilliant well done lads 🇬🇧

[@barrowwraith1687]

Just an observation do you think you could get some more ad's in there ??

[@gordonmcmillan4709]

"huge cast-iron barrel". I don't think so, try steel.

[@ts_diamond8569]

Could be cast iron. Iron and steel were one of the most used metals of the war, for obvious reasons. I wouldn't doubt it was steel though.

[@SuperJohnhughes]

@@ts_diamond8569 Cast iron outer, inner sleave hardened steel.

[@644mack]

More than likely cast steel.

[@matthewj1489]

The coolest thing I seen them move yet!! C3/27 FA WHAT up Artillery men!!

[@lv7603]

I love the crews.

[@MrGamerXtream]

I like the fact that he really sad he doesnt go to holland unless renovated. Huge respect. Looks like im visiting the museum here in holland.

[@deeeeeeeench1209]

The old Scanias never missed a beat

[@SteveVi0lence]

We're getting the band back together!

[@martinbudinsky8912]

Ah yes... The ancient Czech concept of houfnice (howitzer in english). One simply has to admire these weapons. :D

[@justachipn3039]

What our Grand Fathers did with so much less is truly remarkable !!!

What are you babbling about?

[@justachipn3039]

@ It's over your head, don't worry about it 😜

[@Alex-uy7pc]

They would have thought this was ridiculous, just move it by rail.

[@davidlucas1465]

You ever make a horse work like a truck?

[@dennisbaecht7860]

@@Alex-uy7pc, It would have taken months and huge amounts of money to build the infrastructure to move it by rail.

[@151CHAVIN]

Literally a dream job

[@craigelectric5241]

IF IT MOVES.... SALUTE IT ! IF IT DOESN'T MOVE.... PAINT IT !

[@brianbrown826]

The colonel said the howitzer was in bad condition and shouldn't be allowed decay and rot. If the Dutch hadn't asked to have it for display, what would have happened? During my time anything on barracks had to be in excellent condition. Each year there was an admin inspection.

[@dokterdrap]

I love the he said Utrecht

[@indycustommade3568]

I take that flipping the boat is not a perfect outcome. I want to give an awesome job done to H.C. Wilson. This video was really cool to watch since I was in the Artillery. Our guns were not that big. We had 155mm Howitzers in our Battery. A total of 8 guns and 2 FDC tracked vehicles. I was in the Fire Direction Center. 8th Inf Division 29th FA Unit. Just another well done and always remember that the Artillery is the "King Of Battle". Charlie 31, out.

[@18birko1]

Great documentary!

[@rexsmith6495]

Where was it originally built and how was it delivered, any records of it's movement, and use??

[@jacobmoss6830]

To be fair, the gun isn't even mounted on a proper gun carriage. What it is mounted on is a way to store and move the gun when not needed for firing. When it was to be fired it'd be mounted on a more traditional railway gun chassis which would be even bigger than that it is currently mounted on.

[@dennisbaecht7860]

Proof

[@jacobmoss6830]

@@dennisbaecht7860 Proof of what?

[@dennisbaecht7860]

@@jacobmoss6830, Your statement is what.

[@jacobmoss6830]

That is the gun on the Carriage it was on and would've been on when in action.

[@dennisbaecht7860]

@@jacobmoss6830, That's not what you originally wrote.

[@jacobk75]

I don't want to to be that guy, but the largest artillery weapon ever fired is the Schwerer Gustav, and that title belongs to the germans, still, it is a big gun that goes boom and I like it I still will admit, it is scary and cool how much though went into designing thoes weapons and how they tilt and work

[@bigblue6917]

The people who made this gun would notionally have made gun for the Royal Navy and they would have taken at least a year to make. In fact other similar guns used in France in WW1 were all naval guns which would have been used on the navy's battleships. The last gun used by the British Army in WW1 was called Sceneshifter. I am sure you can guess why.

[@blocksmithforge7841]

Only the British would choose to move a RAILCAR with a truck. LOL!!!

[@khagemann7462]

Who else loves this series 😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃

[@zefror_7078]

Wow what a monster of a gun pretty interesting, but i have a question. Why they can't move it on rails any more?

[@crxdelsolsir]

Gustav: **Entered the Chat Room** Dora:**Entered the Chat Room**

[@satansarmysundays183]

I like the British version of the M109.

[@munromark1400]

These movers are so good they could almost move my sisters stuff.HA HA HA.

[@ph11p3540]

The extreme weight and hardness of the gun must make those hard oak timber blocks behave like they were made of Styrofoam for packing electronics. That gun has got to be the heaviest museum exhibit ever transported after the 650 ton Big boy and 500 ton Challenger locomotive moves by road.

[@ger128]

They should have used the cannon to blow apart any obstacles in their path 😛

[@dodgydruid]

Umm HQ was moved in 2003, the RSA was there in Larkhill since 1915 but that was not the HQ of the RA but a subdivision of the regiment. I used to run past this gun most days as the length from gatehouse along to Ha Ha Road, continuing along the perimeter of the barracks to come into Repository Road was exactly 3 miles to the footfall... If you wanted to stay in the forces, you had to run that 3 miles in under a certain time... oh and you never peeved the RSM as I found out that sweeping the largest parade ground in Europe with your toothbrush can be a lesson well learned.

[@coreyshelman]

Theres one like that on Fort Lee in Virginia dunno if still there or if its bigger. But its a big one

[@misterpotato427]

"You got a howitzer lisence to own that bruv?" "No sir" "Well it seems we have to consficate that bruv"

[@1-svanb910]

Its gonna be snug.......but we do snugg!

[@benniehazelwood9276]

Great job at moving to its final resting place. Did I see some shurman tanks to?

[@dennisbaecht7860]

It was only going for 6 months not forever

[@robhiles6660]

1. Why was that shell not checked when the artillery piece was committed. 2. There should have been assembly prints available to understand which pin needed to be removed first. Just my thoughts on the first part.

[@kevinmahoney519]

Subbed. Peaked my interest!

[@PacoOtis]

About five times longer than it needed to be, but congratulations!

[@peterlarkin762]

When the military are in trouble and no one else can do the job... You call... Eh, Thumper, Dodge and Stocksy!

[@adambrook7468]

... the huge cast-iron barrel from ... I would be most surprised if it was cast iron. Wire-wound steel was almost certainly used.

[@arandomsystemglitch2398]

That railway artillery kinda looks like it'd be kind of like a costal gun

[@MelioraCogito]

37:07 Never understood why the English call _columns_ "beams." A _beam_ is a structural member that carries a lateral load between two abutments, piers or columns.

[@thedude8046]

I want that in my backyard

[@celtecgames3821]

I remember growing up with this and the snowplough/plane episode and its great that these are archived by the official source. However why is the video named " Huge Moves"?. no change to the nostalgia but why.

[@markrowland1366]

The German Gama and Big Birther, were a long barrel and short barrel 16 inch naval rifle, that took two weeks and three days to be ready. They were used to defeat great, Belgium fortresses. This 18 inch and three French Schneider 20 inch mobile railway rifles were assumed to be many times more effective. Another reason for Germany to stand down and mourn their many victims of the Spanish flue.

[@maartenvanderpoel5804]

laughs in 600 mm Karl and 800mm gustav

[@MostlyPennyCat]

Just watch the Dutch move it all the way back by train next.

[@mandoramirez1205]

How do you keep that behemoth from falling forward due to the extended barrel at the front of this monstrosity where I see it has no support other than the rail carriage which is placed at the rear of the gun, still this gun is magnificent to look at, great video, many thanks.

[@johnrhodes3350]

Chains

[@MostlyPennyCat]

Remember that rack and pinion that was frozen at the start? That controls barrel elevation It's got a lock.

[@rainstormm1]

on top of what Penny said, the cannon is a lot bigger at the base where they would be loaded as it has to take the most pressure buildup. It is heavier at the base versus the barrel

[@nigeldeacon3271]

Is this the gun which was on display at the Royal Armouries museum, Fort Nelson, Portsmouth? If so, when was it moved to Larkhill?

[@nigeldeacon3271]

Update. On checking, this move was in 2013. The gun is indeed in Fort Nelson.

[@pcka12]

This gun does not seem much like a howitzer which generally have short barrels and lob shells upwards, this seems much more like a naval gun with its long barrel and low elevation!

[@xRepoUKx]

The elevation appears low because that's the test fire carriage. The actual "combat" carriages were all scrapped.

[@SillyPutty3700]

It would be pretty cool to see that fired but I would not want to be on the receiving end!

[@teamidris]

Oooooooh, big enough to fire nukes :o)

[@theliquor6423]

Official British for a bad situation, is to quickly say "bugger, bugger, bugger"😅

[@MIck-M]

Rigger standing under a load mucking about with a come-along would get a site shutdown and audited here. Get more slings and gear if necessary, but standing/working under a suspended load is for temporary humans only.

[@10kimk.2combatprotogen9]

"There is a nother" German WW2 Railway guns. They were the biggest.

[@cageordie]

What they said was the biggest the Royal Artillery ever used. This is smaller than naval guns too.

[@obelic71]

A shell of that German Krupp gun was present at the exhibition also. The gun you mention was scraped years and years ago.

[@MostlyPennyCat]

Largest _surviving_ gun. It's 18" The K5s heavier but more of it still exists However it's 'only' 11"

[@MostlyPennyCat]

We still have a 24" German rail mortar though

[@mingming9604]

bet the original cannon designers could never imagine what had happened to their cannon...

[@chrisbassett8996]

yes the animation is great, however was that a church the mega gun blew up.

[@mandyellis876]

It’s all very well to have it moved from a to b in 2021...but picture moving this or pieces of this a century ago! So why couldn’t they rail it to Utrecht?

[@simonbrittan3896]

Is that the gun that was at woolwich barracks .

[@kurtovesen2975]

this gun needs a real restore . take it all apart and remove all rust and dirt. then paint and lube it. and then keep inside a britich museum. out of the rain and weather .

[@slotsjackpotking420]

@7.30 lol its important to me not to halal 🤣 🤣

[@EVEROSFP1]

I was thinking about the absence of lighting when they arrived at the museum...

[@gundam2jimmy]

Dwarfed by Schwerer Gustav but at least this is still intact.

[@dodgydruid]

Naughty squaddies not saluting the gun as they wandered past... a big naughty no no as the guns regardless of age serves as the artillery's colours and ol' Boche we had to salute her as much as the old cannon on the forefront of Woolwich, might as well spit on the old thing than pay it no heed :(

[@DarqeDestroyer]

Would it not have been easier to lay temporary rail lines to get it to an actual railway track, and then just pull it as rolling stock? Maybe send it through the chunnel? Unless it's not standard guage. I can't tell just by looking at it.

[@maxrun29]

I think like most display items like that there not kept in operational condition, if there lucky they get a super heavy coat of paint once every five years, or wen someone wants to barrow it,. I wish more than like it would be kept in functional condition, it would have made moving it much easier..

[@4dads823]

That was the "testing carriage" it was mounted on, never designed to roll long distances, the carriage that carried it in service (even if it did fit along the lines) is long gone.

[@PeterPete]

@42:53 onwards - pass the hankies please!!!

[@welshpete12]

They say a 13 mile range . I would think it would be much more , maybe 20 miles or so ?

[@ColdWarCanada]

Great upload. But I think they're wrong about it being the largest surviving railway gun. The Germans built some massive ones during ww2 and a few have survived.

[@johnstudd4245]

They might be referring to the barrel caliber. This is a howitzer with an 18 inch barrel. In the US there is a German Krupp K5 gun "Leopold", that was used in ww2, with a bore of 11", which is about the same overall weight. That 11 inch gun has a much longer barrel giving it a longer range than a short barreled howitzer.

[@georgepapageorgiou5025]

Gustavs biggest enemy

[@123twingo345]

🥳

[@glennwillett3247]

The US have the Gustaf RW gun

[@jacksheard6043]

Idk how many time the truckers say we do snug

[@gekkebadmutso7426]

btw isnt the gustav bigger than this??

[@happyhighway106]

#91 455 mm, 35 cal. 3,300 lb. Armour Piercing Shell.