Building Artillery & Heavy Weapons Crews in LEGO
Artillery is the most underbuilt corner of military dioramas, and one of the most effective. A gun with a crew around it tells a story of effort and coordination that a line of riflemen cannot. This guide covers the tow-and-deploy sets we sell, how to crew a gun, and how to lay out a firing position.
The short answer
Buy a tow-and-deploy set, not a loose cannon. The WWII American Artillery Jeep with Tow Cannon ($29.99) gives you a vehicle and a gun that can be shown moving or in position, so one purchase supports two scenes. Check the product page for availability.
The artillery sets in our range
- WWII American Artillery Jeep with Tow Cannon ($29.99). A green jeep with 82nd Airborne-style markings, roll cage, spare wheel and tow hitch, plus a towable field cannon.
- Green Armored Tractor with Field Cannon ($29.99). A tracked armored tractor with a long-barrel cannon and split trail legs that give the gun a deployed look.
- WWII Katyusha Rocket Launcher Truck ($24.99). A 201-piece truck with a gray rocket rack that can be raised, two minifigures included, about 16 cm long.
More vehicles are in vehicles. Stock varies, so check each page.
Crew roles
- Gun commander. Standing slightly back, pointing or holding a radio.
- Loader. Beside the breech, carrying a round or crate.
- Gunner. Seated or crouched at the sight end.
- Ammunition carrier. Between the crates and the gun.
- Driver. With the tow vehicle, if shown.
Four or five figures is a full crew. Pick figures that fit the era: the WW1 and WW2 Historical Figures singles start at $5.99, and the Modern Military set ($24.99) suits modern scenes. See the loadout cheat sheet for role gear.
Two scenes to build
- On the move. Vehicle towing the gun along a road, driver in the cab, one figure walking alongside. Simple and quick.
- In position. Gun detached and angled toward the target, crates stacked behind, crew spread around it, vehicle parked at the rear. Add sandbags in front for cover.
Use a baseplate large enough to leave open ground in front of the gun, since the empty space is what shows it is firing. See how to build a realistic battlefield diorama base for terrain.
Budget
- Gun and tow vehicle, $29.99. Either the Jeep set or the Tractor set.
- Two gun positions, $59.98. Both tow-and-deploy sets, for a battery of two.
Common mistakes
- Gun with no crew. It reads as a prop.
- Crew all facing the gun. Vary the poses so it looks like work, not a photo.
- No empty ground in front. A gun pointing at a wall looks wrong.
Where to start
Buy one tow-and-deploy set and build the in-position scene first. Browse military for crew, and read how to build a military diorama for layout.