Yep, DD, those were the good old days, they don't do the reenactments any more! Sounds like you lived on the edge back then, that was a bit of a dangerous one you built there! Mine is built to the specs from BuckSticks, 12pound Mt. Howitzer, except everything in half. My "tube" is a lenght of aircraft Hydraulic line picked up from CalAero in Paramount, Ca, (80,000psi), so, no worries there! Like him, I had professional welding done on all necessary areas, worth the extra effort. Hydrafluxed clean, no voids, and ready to mount, except...the mount. I like the Steens Dalgren Boat Howitzer deck mount, with the added mobility of wheels. Talk about Hybrid! I'll keep you posted! Great site!