16mm scale crane model

It all started with the the Péchot system. This was designed to supply the artillery of the 1880s in the field. In 1888, it was adopted by the French Army for defensive uses. Over the next 25 years, military firepower increased, as did the guns.  Even carrying their monster shells became a problem. In the 1890s, special 60cm rail-mounted cranes/grues were developed to handle these massive but delicate weights. These cranes were absorbed into the existing Péchot system.

This drawing by Henri Cheffer was made, probably from a photograph. It shows a Péchot system grue roulante carrying a 700kg shell. Picture from 'Illustration' courtesy M.D. Wright

The system he had created anticipated the standard problems for a portable, temporary railway. The track his bogies ran on might well be uneven. Their springing was superb for the time. The solidity of the bogies was unequalled; though well over a century old, examples survive in good condition. Best of all, the brakes were reliable and could be screwed down securely. Such basic reliability was appreciated by the squaddies charged with moving vast and sensitive loads in deplorable conditions.

A Wrightscale 16mm model of a Péchot system crane

We first noticed the cranes when reading through Dr Cénac’s  excellent ‘60cm pour ravitailler l’Armée francaise’ (60cm railways used for supplying the French Army during the First World War) They are also mentioned in Voie Etroite issue number 84 pages 30 and 31. Our thanks go to both these experts. I devote some pages to the 5-tonne bogie and the crane in ‘Col Péchot: Tracks To The Trenches’ chapter 8.

A smallish crane, often called the grue roulante - the moving crane - was developed. It ran on a single bogie and was held in position by the brake-wheel, assisted when necessary by chocs. It carried shells for the big guns when they operated out in the field; the weight of a shell designed for the 370mm Schneider gun was 700 kg, not including the bagged charge.

A mobile crane, stabilised by a counterweight, which could be operated by one man was much appreciated. A number were built to service the Schneider 370 towards the end of the First World War. One can be seen in the photograph on page 31 of VE no 84. Pictures also appeared in the album produced by Illustration magazine between the wars.

Exploded diagram of the instructions for a Wrightscale 16mm model of a Péchotbogie. Even at 16mm scale, the sturdinessand massive springs of the original can be appreciated

It was a challenge to create the kit for a model crane. Malcolm was keen to have one which would rotate on its bogie, like the prototype. He wanted the cable drum to work. There is no use having a handle if it doesn’t operate something. Most of all, he wanted a functioning counterweight.

The crane must rotate, the pulleys must work, the cable drum must rotate, the gears must mesh in good order and the counter-weight must run correctly.

The crane is mounted on a base-plate above a sub-base which is secured to the bogie by a nut, enabling it to rotate. The assembly must be well balanced. The jib, and load, must be in equilibrium with the counter-weight and track. The instructions, therefore, repeat what cannot be said often enough. ‘Become familiar with the parts before beginning’ ‘Fit twice, glue once’ ‘Trial assembly will result in a working model’ ‘Repeat trial assembly if necessary’

The model makes use of various materials, each fit for purpose. White metal provides sufficient strength for jib, pulleys, gears and other working parts. Pivots, pins and bolts are made of steel or brass as necessary. Malcolm and Adrian Swain worked out the white metal bits over a year of friendly argy-bargy. When Adrian retired, Sarum Castings were able to take over.

Wrightscale 16mm model of a Péchot system crane, showing the counter-eweight on its track and the pulleys

Sourcing the cable was quite a story as a working model needs something flexible, with adequate tensile strength and which could generate some friction.

This being Deeside, we started with fishing twine; many Wrightscale cranes operate well on this ‘cable’ Unfortunately, our source, Alan Brodie, a well-respected local character died. We then went on to button twine, bought at our local general store. This served well but unfortunately, the local store burnt down (look for ‘Strachan’s fire’ on U-tube). As well as sewing notions, they sold everything from paints to fine spirits. One day, the paraffin stove, a necessity in the Scottish winter, got a little too friendly with the White Spirit – hence the conflagration. They restocked, but not, alas, with button twine. We seemed to be stuck, but then the distaff side of the family came to the rescue. Someone wanted her bead necklace restrung and Malcolm discovered Tiger Wire. It comes in various colours, handy for representing fresh steel, rust, or mould. It has high tensile strength, is flexible and creates an acceptable degree of friction. Our wheels were in motion once more.

The model delights and intrigues. What a shame that we do not know of any extant versions! The fate of the originals was sad. After World War 1, the French Army kept its Péchot material, including the cranes. For its own reasons, the government and Press did not want to celebrate the role of 60cm, and so the public were encouraged to forget that the trenches were fed, armed and housed by the little portable railways. One example is the picture by Henri Cheffer of the 370mm gun being supplied by a Péchot system crane.

370 mm mortar being supplied by a crane. This is clearly a Péchot system crane and the lines of two 60cm railway tracks can be made out though the artist, Henri Cheffer has seen fit to erase the actual rail. Collection MD Wright

Although the crane is there, and a trail of material stretches along the line which could best be described as a railway track, the 60cm railway has been removed.

In World War 2, almost all Army material fell into hands of the Nazis. By the end of the War, it was being scrapped to keep their fearsome war machine in operation.  We are proud that our little model is keeping this intriguing machine alive, at least to the imagination.