Landkreuzer P.1000 Ratte..........IN 1/35 SCALE!

seadude · July 18, 2012, 08:13:52 PM

Not sure where I should post this, and sorry if the subject already exists somewhere else.

I tend to enjoy building subjects that nobody has ever seen, heard of, or done before. My USS Montana battleship and HMS Habakkuk models are testaments to my philosophy. And now I find I want to keep doing something bigger and better. Each model subject I build must surpass the previous one. And the next biggest subject I can think of is the proposed, but never built, German Landkreuzer P.1000 Ratte super-heavy tank from World War II.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landkreuzer_P._1000_Ratte

Not much "hard facts" exist on the Net about the Ratte. What searching I've done so far indicates a variety of specifications as well as various designs, but nothing "final". Therefor, it's a huge speculative subject.
But here's the thing. I don't want to build this in 1/72 scale or 1/48 scale, or anything else smaller. I want BIG! I want to build this in 1/35 scale!

In that scale, the finished model would be approx. 40 inches long x 16 inches wide x 13 inches tall. I want to build this to show and compare it to other 1/35 armor at a model contest. Everything about this model will most likely be scratchbuilt. Here's where I need help:

1. I need lots of wheels and treads.
2. The main turret will be similar to that of a battleship turret from the Scharnhorst class battleship, but with only two barrels instead of three. What I need to figure is the dimensions of the turret (minus barrels) in 1/35 scale.
3. What German 1/35 kits and accessories can people recommend that I can get extra parts from?

Thorvic · July 18, 2012, 10:11:38 PM

It would probably be easier and cheaper to go for the 1/72nd version as a managable project as it allows you to utilise both 1/48th and 1/35th Armour parts to represent the massive parts used in this tank and the Maus turrets are available. It could always act as a prototype to a larger version later on.

ysi_maniac · July 19, 2012, 03:24:26 AM

^^^^^
I agree! Go with divine proportion.

The Wooksta! · July 19, 2012, 03:31:04 AM

I've said this before and I'll say it again. There's something very Freudian about Hitler's obsession with larger weapons, almost as though he's trying to make up for something....

Caveman · July 19, 2012, 04:44:04 AM

one thing that always puzzled me about these super huge tanks... what on earth were they designed to combat? What target on a ww2 battlefield required 2 battleship guns? There is no way that the turret would be able to traverse fast enough to track anything mobile. So were they supposed to destroy fixed emplacements? Clearly they werent built but I cant even understand the purpose of the concept... Unless it really was just Freudian.

On a modeling front. I agree with going with 1:72. This gives you a ready supply of 1:48 and 32 parts to scaleorama to represent those oversized components. If you go 1:32 then anything which is supposed to be larger than its 32 equivalent is going to be either hard to source or require scratchbuilding, and as you said you are going to need a lot of wheels!!

seadude · July 19, 2012, 06:13:51 AM

I still want to go with 1/35 scale. I'll only go with a smaller scale if there are too many "technical problems" in creating this beast or problems getting resources. Otherwise, 1/35 scale it is!

Mossie · July 19, 2012, 06:53:51 AM

You've got guts!

Still, you're used to big after Habbakuk!

Dragon do a 1/35 Maus for the rear turrets, it'll be expensive to get two turrets. Road wheels, tracks, engine covers, MG's and likes can be sourced from the aftermarket. You can get 1/16 aftermarket tank parts, the main barrels might be just about possible from large calibre brass or aluminium guns, 120mm should do the trick for a 28cm gun in 1/35 if you can find them. Again, it'll be very expensive. Alternatively, find someone who has a lathe to turn them for you.

NARSES2 · July 19, 2012, 07:10:46 AM

Dosn't someone do a 1/72 scale kit of this or are planing to ?

Some brazilian guy over on this forumn has the same idea. http://www.armchairgeneral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58181Nice pics of a 1/87 ?? one. Shows the sheer size of the monster.

Chris

Caveman · July 19, 2012, 09:47:57 AM

an interesting point was raised in that linked thread. That thing is going to need its own AA battery/batteries because it is going to be one hell of a target for bombers.

kerick · July 19, 2012, 10:39:13 AM

Quote from: Caveman on July 19, 2012, 04:44:04 AM
So were they supposed to destroy fixed emplacements?

That thing would have become a fixed emplacement itself as soon as it drove over some soft ground.
What would you recover it with if it got stuck or broke down? The Germans were really good at wasteing time and resourses on projects like this.

kerick · July 19, 2012, 10:40:48 AM

Quote from: seadude on July 19, 2012, 06:13:51 AM
I still want to go with 1/35 scale. I'll only go with a smaller scale if there are too many "technical problems" in creating this beast or problems getting resources. Otherwise, 1/35 scale it is!

Carry on, my friend! Keep the pics coming!!

NARSES2 · July 20, 2012, 12:44:24 AM

Quote from: kerick on July 19, 2012, 10:40:48 AM
Quote from: seadude on July 19, 2012, 06:13:51 AM
I still want to go with 1/35 scale. I'll only go with a smaller scale if there are too many "technical problems" in creating this beast or problems getting resources. Otherwise, 1/35 scale it is!
Carry on, my friend! Keep the pics coming!!

Agreed - would be an amazing build

pyro-manic · July 21, 2012, 03:14:32 PM

Even better, the P.1500 Monster. Self-propelled Dora.

The upside of this is, there's already a 1:35 Dora kit in existence, so you only have to scratch the hull!

seadude · July 21, 2012, 07:23:52 PM

Quote from: pyro-manic on July 21, 2012, 03:14:32 PM
Even better, the P.1500 Monster. Self-propelled Dora.

The upside of this is, there's already a 1:35 Dora kit in existence, so you only have to scratch the hull!

There is no way I am going to attempt that! No way!

I'll leave it for somebody else. I'd have enough trouble just building the Ratte as it is.

BTW.......I need help finding some information. At the bottom of this page here:
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_11-545_skc34.htm
........is the Mount/Turret data such as Elevation, Weight, Gun recoil, etc. for the main turrets on the German Scharnhorst battleship. But what that listing doesn't provide which I am currently seeking is the dimensions of the turrets (Minus barrels) on the Scharnhorst such as Height, Length, and Width. Anybody have any info.?

Mossie · July 22, 2012, 12:17:03 PM

My suggestion would be to find plans of Scharnhorst, work out the the factor needed to convert it to 1/35, then use a photocopier or scanner to scale the turret.

The turret doesn't seem to be a copy of Scharnhorsts though as it uses only two guns, or are you using the critical height and length dimensions to work out your own?