Paper Naval gun barrels

[wildweaselnz]

OK, potentially stupid question here, but I've been given a number of the GPM 1:200 scale naval vessel models; including Bismarck and Prince of Wales among others.

Making the barrels for the main and secondary armaments looks like world-class frustration material. The only tutorial on making long THIN paper tubes I can find appear to roll the paper on a shallow angle (I am assuming this is to make sure you get the tubes long enough).

Unfortunately, that technique looks to me like it would have a net result of a 'spiral' pattern along the length of the barrel...not something I want to achieve.

Can anybody assist, or is my only solution to seek refuge in the brass aftermarket part sphere?

[cardist]

Hi Wildweazelnz,

I have made my own gun barrels from cigarette paper rolled around a thin wire mandrel. The paper is cut to the required length with a slight curve so as to produce the taper.
Check out this thread here of my build of HMS Conrad.

JSC Conrad 1/400 scale

For thicker paper, i.e. normal kit-paper, check out this thread;

Mk1 Male

[Siwi]

Have you considered making a series of shorter sections which can be sanded or otherwise refined and don't have to have a straight seam, sticking them in series and then putting skin over the top? As only the opening need be visible it's not essential for a gun barrel to be hollow all the way.
Spaghetti can be a useful diameter to roll a thin tube around. So can thicker wire.

[John Wagenseil]

Best way to make small tubes/rods from paper is to cheat and turn them from wood or plastic.
If you do not have access to a lathe, a variable speed electric drill clamped in a vice will do, and the work piece can be shaped with files, or sandpaper glued to popsicle sticks.

[Knife]

For barrels with no taper, I use the paper stem from Q-Tips. I cut off the cotton tips, then use a knife to slice lengthwise into the stem and unwind it until I get to the diameter I need for the barrel.



For tapered barrels, I dampen the paper to make it easier to bend and form it around an appropriate diameter shaft (pin, needle, Q-Tip shaft, interior parts from ball point pen, etc).

[Knife]

Here are some of the 6” guns from the 1/250 USS Arkansas that I’m currently working working on. Both the main guns and secondary guns have tapered barrels.

[Sakrison]

I posted this way back in 2013. For my money, it's still the best way to make small-scale gun barrels.
Rolling Gun Barrels and Masts - Another Approach