6pdr OQF Mk.V
barrel for British Tanks
Armorscale Set No. B35-019
1:35th Scale
Review by Terry Ashley
The set consists of one aluminium barrel and the two brass counterweights as well as resin replacement mantlet and Besa machine gun. The length and contours of the barrel match available information well as do the counterweight profiles with the mantlet being the later style and has subtle cast texture included with just a small casting block to be removed before use.
Fitting the Besa which has the muzzle hollowed out slightly into the mantlet is a simple matter of slipping the MG through the cradle from behind and gluing in place, nothing could be easier.
The counterweights required a little trimming to fit by opening up their respective hole a little with a fine needle file as well as the diameter of the barrel tip being reduced slightly again with a fine file. These reductions are only very small and test fitting will determine the best fit, but once done the counterweights fitted snugly as did the barrel through the mantlet opening.
Checking references will determine the counterweight style best suited to the model you are building and some modifications will be required to fit the mantlet to whichever kit you are using with the instructions showing those for the Italeri Crusader and Tamiya Cromwell.
Conclusion:
Another well made and proportioned barrel that will add additional detail
on whatever kit it is used with a minimum of work needed. It also offers
alternatives for resin kits and conversions such as the Churchill III and
IVs from Cromwell and IMA.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to armorscale for the review set.
Page created November 20, 2005