1:35 Mk.45 Mod 4 5"/62 Naval gun

The real subject

The Mk 45 is a lightweight naval gun mount of 127 mm caliber that the US Navy introduced as the main gun armament of destroyers and cruisers. The Mod 4 rendition is its most recent form: the barrel is 62 calibers long, that is noticeably longer than on the older versions, and the shield of the mount received faceted sloping walls that reduce the reflection of a radar signal. Nobody stays inside the shield during firing, the loading is seen to by a mechanism and the crew works below deck. The mount serves for firing at surface targets and for the support of units ashore.

What the model offers

The 1:35 scale is unusually large for naval hardware, and that is exactly where the charm lies: the mount comes out as a model of its own, on which the hatches, the gaps of the shield and the shape of the muzzle end of the barrel are all legible. What arises is therefore not a small item lost on a deck but a display-case piece that holds its own by itself.

• The Mk 45 Mod 4 naval gun mount of 127 mm caliber in 1:35 scale
• A barrel 62 calibers long according to the newer version of the weapon
• The faceted shield of the mount with its reduced radar reflection
• Suitable for display on its own and on a base with a caption

Building and painting tips

Wash the parts and degrease them before painting, so that the paint holds on the smooth surfaces of the shield. Cut the excess material away with a sharp blade a little way from the part and sand the rest off; the particular building sequence is given in the manufacturer's instructions. A gray finish on a large flat area does not need variety but graduation: brighten the base on the upper surfaces, lay a dark wash into the gaps and keep the traces of service restrained, because a deck weapon tends to be well kept.

Who it is for

For modelers of ships and modern naval hardware and for collectors looking for a striking piece in its own right. Paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.