1:700 Set of 9 pcs 152 mm barrels for ships Richelieu, Jean Bart

Aber 1:700 set of 9 barrels of 152 mm caliber — Richelieu, Jean Bart

A set of nine turned metal barrels of 152 mm caliber in 1:700 scale from the Polish maker Aber. It is not a kit of a ship but replacement parts for the plastic barrels of the secondary armament of the French battleships. A turned barrel is perfectly straight, it has a circular cross section and a drilled muzzle — and on small guns of this caliber the difference against a plastic casting with a parting groove is especially noticeable.

The real subject

On the ships of the Richelieu class the 152 mm guns made up a dual-purpose secondary armament usable against surface and air targets alike. The Richelieu and the Jean Bart both carried nine of these barrels in three triple turrets, so the count of nine pieces in the set matches the complete armament of one ship. The layout of the turrets changed over the course of the service of both ships along with the changes to the superstructures and the anti-aircraft armament.

Usage tips

Cut the plastic barrels off as close to the turret face as possible and drill the holes left behind out with a micro drill to the diameter of the pin on the metal barrel. Glue with cyanoacrylate glue, applying the drop with the tip of a wire. Small barrels are easy to lose, so work over a mat with a rim. Degrease the metal, spray it with a base coat for metal and paint it together with the turret so that the shade matches.

Who the set is for

• Builders of French battleship models in 1:700 scale
• Modelers adding metal barrels to the secondary armament as well
• Anyone interested in display models with a high level of detail
• More advanced modelers used to working with very small parts

This is an accessory set of turned barrels, not a standalone model. The base kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.