Trumpeter Railway gun Leopold 280mm K5 (E)

Trumpeter model kit in 1:35 scale of the German railway gun K5(E) Leopold, a historically significant artillery weapon from World War II. This detailed model kit includes 1140 plastic parts on 26 sprues, as well as photo-etched parts for enhanced realism. The Leopold railway gun was one of Germany's most impressive artillery weapons and could fire 280 mm shells over distances of about 29 km. The model accurately replicates the massive 21.5-meter-long barrel, the 360-degree rotating platform, and the complex recoil mechanism with hydro-pneumatic cylinders. The complete assembly represents the imposing 230-ton original on its special railway chassis with 24 support wheels. This scale replica captures the characteristic design features that made the Leopold effective for rapid deployment and camouflage in mountain tunnels during combat operations. The kit offers a challenging building experience for model enthusiasts interested in military history and detailed reproduction. All components are precision-molded from high-quality plastic with fine surface textures. The photo-etched parts allow for realistic representation of finer elements and mechanical assemblies. Suitable for advanced to experienced model builders aged 14 and up, this kit requires standard modeling tools and adhesives for assembly. The finished model measures approximately 78 cm in length when fully assembled, illustrating the impressive scale of this historical artillery piece. The Leopold remains historically significant as one of the few surviving German railway guns from World War II, with the original preserved at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. This modeling project offers both technical challenge and historical education for military modeling enthusiasts.