1:48 Russian 152,4 mm M-10S tank barrel for KV-II

The real subject

The KV-II is a Soviet heavy tank from the beginning of the Second World War. On the chassis of the KV heavy tank it carried a tall slab-sided turret and, in it, a howitzer of 152.4 millimeter caliber, that is, a weapon intended more for smashing fortified positions than for fighting other tanks. The silhouette with the tall turret and the massive barrel is unmistakable, and on a model it is exactly the barrel that draws the eye first.

What the set contains

A replacement barrel for a KV-II model in 1:48 scale, turned rather than split into two halves. It replaces the barrel from the kit, which on a part of this diameter is hard to glue and sand so that it stays perfectly round.

Building and painting tips

The turned part has a round cross-section along its whole length and no parting line, so gluing, filling and sanding the joint fall away, and on a plastic barrel that work always leaves a trace. The seating, and any widening of the opening in the turret, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Degrease the surfaces before gluing and use super glue; ordinary cement for plastic does not hold reliably here. While gluing, look at the model from the front and from above and make sure the barrel points straight and is not twisted to one side, because a crooked barrel is obvious at first glance on a finished model. Degrease the surface again before painting and spray on a primer, otherwise the paint holds poorly.

Who it is for

For modelers who want the main part of the silhouette free of a seam and with a crisp muzzle. The model, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.