1:35 Gun barrel D-81TM (2A46 ) 125 mm without thermal sleeve (for Trumpeter)

The real subject

The designations D-81TM and 2A46 belong to the Soviet smoothbore tank gun in 125 mm caliber, which became the main armament of postwar Soviet tank vehicles. On the machines the barrel appears in two strikingly different forms: bare and with a thermal sleeve that protects it from uneven heating. This item is the version without the sleeve, so the outline of the barrel itself is visible.

What the set contains

This is a replacement barrel for 1:35 scale, made as a direct swap for the part from the Trumpeter kit. A replacement barrel deals with the two things that are hardest to fight on split parts from a kit: the longitudinal joint, which sands away poorly on a cylindrical surface, and the accuracy of the outline on a long, slender component that is the first thing seen on a model. The manufacturer states the scope of supply and the number of pieces on the packaging.

Building and painting tips

• Cut the original barrel off and level the surface in the mantlet so that the replacement seats without play.
• Check the seating and above all the direction of the barrel dry, from the front and from above; a crooked barrel shows at once.
• The part is not polystyrene; it is glued with super glue.
• Wash and degrease the barrel before painting, otherwise the paint will not hold on the smooth surface.
• Darken the muzzle and leave sooty grime on it, and add dust toward the mantlet instead.

Terms of supply

A replacement barrel is supplied. The model of the tank, paints, glue and further accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.