1:16 Barrel cleaning rods with brackets for Tiger I –very early model 1240mm

Aber 1:16 barrel cleaning rods with brackets, Tiger I, very early version

An add-on set for a model of the heavy Tiger I tank in 1:16 scale. It replaces the plastic imitation of the set of barrel cleaning rods and of their brackets, which on kits are usually molded with thick walls or simply rendered flat on the hull. It is an aftermarket accessory for a modeler who already has the kit, not a model of the vehicle.

Why replace the plastic part

Thin long rods belong among the parts on which plastic is recognizable at first glance: they tend to have an oval cross-section and a mold parting line, and once cut off the sprue they bend easily. A metal part holds its straight shape, after painting it looks like metal and it can be worked even where plastic would crack. The brackets with their straps also look far thinner in 1:16 scale in a metal version.

Fitting and painting

• Wash the parts before gluing in warm water with detergent and let them dry, as metal tends to be greasy from manufacture.
• Carefully cut the original plastic fittings off the hull and sand the area perfectly smooth.
• Bond with super glue, and on larger areas rather with a thicker gel, which gives time to align the position.
• Apply a primer intended for metal before painting, otherwise the paint rubs off during handling already.
• Check that the rods are level against the edge of the hull before the glue cures.

Who the set is for

• Modelers building a large model of the Tiger I in its very early version.
• Those who want to replace the most conspicuous plastic imitations with metal in a large scale.
• Builders with experience of super glue and of working with metal accessories.

This is an accessory for a model, not a kit of the vehicle. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package.