1899 Lorraine Class land cruiser

[stevegallacci]

As we all know, the four crude "land monitors" that broke the siege of Petersburg in the fall of 1864 were the progenitors  of the great land cruiser fleets that commanded the great continental plains through to the end of the century, and the French Lorraine class were among the last of that august line. I'm building the "Provence"  as she appeared during the Third Franco-Prussian war of 1899 as part of a group build for Galaxy Hobby's (of Lynnwood WA) SciFi model contest. As she was originally built with the intent of being posted in Algeria, she had the longer prow and retractable spike/skid of those hulls in colonial service, but was held back for the Alsace Fromage Crisis of 1898 and was then on-hand for the ensuing Third Franco-Prussian war.  All I have done so far is the basic hull, a scratch-built vac piece with evergreen scribed sheet for the deck effect, while the main turret is still on the lathe for final finishing. As it is in 1/160 scale, the model measures out to about 9 1/4 in./23.5 cm.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Your description of this project in our recent telephone conversation had me wondering what this Land Cruiser would look like.  Now that I see the WIP I am quite impressed once again with your creativity and ability to build things from scratch. 

[stevegallacci]

I've just finished the patterns for and will be casting up all the tracks for it too. Four main sets and two smaller sets for fore and aft uneven ground clearance.

[stevegallacci]

The main turret is basically done, turned out of wood and coated with CA to seal and smooth. The gun is turned aluminium, the sighting copula is turned sprue. The aft elevated gun turret is made from turned acrylic and also has a turned sprue copula.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Looking quite Steam-Punked!

[Brian da Basher]

Looking quite Steam-Punked!

Concur! That elevated turret is some excellent thinking!

Brian da Basher

[stevegallacci]

Today's progress.

[stevegallacci]

More progress on the build. The bridge .

[Brian da Basher]

The new superstructure really looks the business, Steve!

Brian da Basher

[finsrin]

Love the Lorraine class, it has class    At 123ft long they were intimidating.
Such a build you got going --- look forward to seeing it in person.

[stevegallacci]

More intimidating would have been the earlier, larger classes. The Lorainnes were among the last of the era, though more in terms of economics than their increasingly questionable military value. Like any number of arms races to follow, the various Great Powers had over-extended themselves and were looking for a face-saving withdraw, and the appearance of the attack Zepplins that broke the stalemate and ended the war was their way out.

[finsrin]

Was a 1930s movie based on the gallant French stand on plains NE of Starbucken in 1899.  Lorraine Class land cruisers were depicted well considering special effects of the time.  Though eventually losing to larger German forces, the Lorraines along with supporting artillery and troops drew General Von Bageldunker's forces into a trap.  Covered by artillery fire which screened approach of the Lorraines as they emerged from behind berms and drove full speed toward the Germans.  When Von Bageldunker's land cruisers and troops were within range the barage let up and the Lorraines opened direct fire by surprise on German land cruisers.  For each Lorraine lost, three German land cruisers of various classes were lost.

This battle of Starbucken is what convinced German planners to build attack Zeppelins (as Steve pointed out) and decrease reliance on land cruisers.

Along with eventual German victory came occupation of the rich coffee growing region in mountains above Starbucken.  During the intervening years before WW I, Germany found that exporting the coffee to a buyer-distributer in Seattle so profitable it helped fund a build up of forces used in WW I.  Same business arrangement was repeated between WW I and WW II.

[stevegallacci]

Could not have said it better.

[Buzzbomb]

Was a 1930s movie based on the gallant French stand on plains NE of Starbucken in 1899.

Funny, just been to the Musee de la Armee in Paris today and that campaign did not feature 

Liking this build a Lot.

[stevegallacci]

Some more progress. Tracks are cast and will be added today. Hotchkiss guns are built and will be set on the bridge.

[Camthalion]

Thats very cool.  Nice work so far, look forward to seeing ti finished.

[stevegallacci]

Basically done.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Looks good Steve. 

Now you need to build a coal carrier land cruiser for UNREP of your fleet :)

How about a pirate land cruiser so it can have a worthy adversary?

[finsrin]

Beautiful land cruiser Steve.
Hotchkiss guns at bridge corners, voice tubes, and crew look right :)
I second UNREP suggestion.  Considering an UNREP diorama ?

[Rickshaw]

Not sure how it's powered, whether it's coal or oil fired or even steam at all!   

[Brian da Basher]

Wow that's a real stunner, Steve! I really like the crew you added which makes this one look like it's headed in harm's way. I give this one an E for Excellent!

Brian da Basher

[stevegallacci]

Were I to do any more with landcruisers, it would be to build the USS Bellingham, a sidewheel type from the 1870s.  No funnel? Then what is that black-capped tube coming up through the center of the bridge platform?

[elmayerle]

Side wheel?  As in one large single wheel on each side or with several on each side like steam locomotives?  If the latter, I could see work being farmed out to Lima, Baldwin, or Alcoa (to name some of the biggest names in steam locomotives).

[Rickshaw]

Side wheel?  As in one large single wheel on each side or with several on each side like steam locomotives?  If the latter, I could see work being farmed out to Lima, Baldwin, or Alcoa (to name some of the biggest names in steam locomotives).

Aluminium boiler?

[jcf]

I believe Evan was referring to ALCO, rather than Alcoa. 

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alco

 

Very cool Steve.