1:35 U.S. 76,2 mm M7 gun Barrel for M10 Tank Destroyer

76.2 mm M7 barrel for the M10 tank destroyer 1:35 – a turned set from Aber

This turned metal barrel from the Polish maker Aber in 1:35 scale replaces the plastic barrel part of the American M10 tank destroyer. The part is machined on a lathe, so it has no seam from the mold parting line, it keeps an exact circular cross section and the muzzle is drilled out. The set serves as an accessory to the vehicle kit and does not hold the model itself.

The real subject

The M10 was an American tank destroyer of the Second World War period built on the chassis of the M4 Sherman medium tank. What marked it out was the open pentagonal turret with a counterweight and the lightly armored hull with sloped plates, which put mobility ahead of protection. The main armament was the 76.2 mm M7 gun, that is a three-inch gun derived from an anti-aircraft piece, with good penetrating power against the German tanks of the day.

Building and painting tips

The turned barrel is fitted in place of the plastic part, which usually has to be cut off, and the hole in the mantlet or shield carefully opened out with a round file. It is glued with cyanoacrylate glue or two-part epoxy, and on heavier parts it is worth reinforcing the joint. Degrease the metal with alcohol before painting and apply a primer, otherwise the paint holds badly. We recommend blackening the muzzle and knocking back the inside to a matte finish; the outer surface takes light drybrushing with a metallic pigment and some wear at the muzzle.

Who the set is for

• Modelers building the American M10 tank destroyer in 1:35 scale
• Builders of Allied Second World War vehicles
• Anyone who wants to get rid of the parting seam and the inexact cross section of a plastic barrel
• Advanced modelers working with metal accessories

This is a detail set, not a model of the vehicle. The base kit, glue, paints and other accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.