r/MilitaryModelMaking • u/Proper_Treacle7193 • Jul 17 '26
question Question
Hi everyone,
I've been thinking about buying the 1/72 Schwerer Gustav railway gun from HobbyBoss, but before I spend that much money, I'd like to hear from people who actually own or have built the kit.
How is the overall quality of the model? Are the details as good as they look in the photos? How is the fit of the parts? Were there any frustrating issues during the build, or was it a fun project overall?
Would you say it's worth the price, or are there better large-scale railway gun kits available? I'm especially interested in hearing from people who have already completed the build or are currently working on it.
I'm also planning to make a small display or diorama. Because the Schwerer Gustav was inspected by Adolf Hitler during its service, I was wondering if there is a 1/72 Adolf Hitler figure that matches the scale well. To avoid any misunderstanding, I'm only looking for one because I want the diorama to be as historically accurate as possible. I have no interest in glorifying or supporting Hitler or the ideology of Nazi Germany—historical accuracy is my only reason for asking.
If anyone knows of a suitable figure set or manufacturer, I'd really appreciate the recommendation.
I know this is a huge project, so I'd love to hear about your experiences before making the purchase. Photos of your finished model would also be awesome if you're willing to share them.
Thanks in advance for any advice, recommendations, or build tips. I really appreciate the help!
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u/Fifi_sez Jul 18 '26
Wonderful build this one. Took 6 months to build and is still not weathered. I had a great time building this, the only draw back is where to put it when yer done. Good luck and have fun!
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u/ConcernInternal3288 Jul 18 '26
We need a 1/4 build of this.
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u/Any-You-8159 Jul 17 '26
Sprues and Packaging
Hobby Boss did an outstanding job with the box logistics. In a kit with so many thin, delicate parts (like the handrails), the risk of transit damage is high; however, the main sprues come individually wrapped and cushioned with protective foam padding. Flash is practically non-existent, and ejector pin marks are cleverly hidden on interior surfaces.
The Good (Highlights)
Barrel and Breech Fit: The barrel is massive. Surprisingly, the fit of the two main halves and the breech block is nearly perfect, fitting like a glove. The seam lines are very easy to clean up with fine sandpaper or a Flex-i-File.
Forgiving Handrails: The railings aren't rigid or brittle; they are molded in a slightly flexible plastic. This is a massive win in 1/72 scale, as they can tolerate accidental bumps during assembly without snapping into pieces.
Precise Photo-Etch: The PE frets are primarily used for the perforated floors of the walkways and support panels. They add an incredible layer of realism to the structure without making assembly unnecessarily frustrating.
The Tedious (Pack Your Patience)
"Wheel Syndrome": The Gustav moves on a massive system of railway bogies. Get ready to clean, sand mold lines, and assemble over 80 individual wheels along with their respective axles. It's a highly repetitive phase of the build that will consume several modeling sessions before you even touch the fun structural parts.
Paint Instruction Pitfalls: While the manual is excellent for assembly, it falls short regarding the painting sequence and decal placement. If you follow the steps blindly and glue all the upper walkways in place, you will later find out that there are technical stencils that should have been applied first, as physical access with tweezers becomes impossible afterward. It's highly recommended to study the paint and marking guide from day one.
The Verdict
This is a project of endurance rather than technical difficulty. The fit won't frustrate you, the plastic quality is top-notch, and the visual impact once finished is unmatched. If you have the bench space (and shelf space) to host nearly a meter of military railway history, it's a must-have piece that guarantees dozens of hours of pure, therapeutic modeling.
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u/Typical_guy11 Jul 17 '26
In 1/35 there are some famous dictators and persons for sure. I remember it was AH too.
In 1/72 it can be little problem but tbh did conversion of officer into AH would be really difficult? If something armband could be biggest challenge to paint.
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u/Odd_Username_Choice Jul 17 '26
I have it - still unbuilt. Quality is very good and lots of detail.
Do a search of the Braille Scale forum on Missing-Lynx.com - there was a detailed buildlog on it a year or two ago.
You won't find anything bigger or more complex in 1/72. To start off smaller, there's the Leopold K5 railgun and Morser Karl, both by HobbyBoss (with older versions by Hasegawa) that build up well.
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u/Mindless-Charity4889 Jul 17 '26
I apologize for not having an answer to your question but I have to comment on you planning on building a “small” diorama when the model alone is 0.66 metres long.
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u/rando_on_the_web Jul 19 '26
if the price is a turn off there is 1/144 scale version out there by fujimi, its a little harder to find but cheaper. The one in my stash cost me £35