1:72 Wellington Mk. I C gun barrels (oval)

The real subject

The Vickers Wellington was a British twin-engined bomber with a characteristic geodetic fuselage structure designed by Barnes Wallis. It served from the first months of the Second World War, and the Mk.IC version carried defensive gun turrets in the nose and in the tail. The machine gun barrels are a small but conspicuous feature, and you can tell at first glance whether they are thin and straight enough.

What the set contains

Replacement machine gun barrels for a model of the Wellington Mk.IC in 1:72 scale. They replace the parts from the base kit, which tend to be thicker than the scale calls for and to carry marks from manufacture. The word in parentheses in the name distinguishes a variant within the range; which particular turret configuration it belongs to is specified by the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

The parts are not polystyrene, so glue them with super glue. Cut the excess material away with a sharp blade a little clear of the part and sand the remainder carefully, so that the barrel stays straight. Wash and degrease the surface before painting. A metallic look is achieved with a dark undercoat lightly polished with graphite or a metallic paint, and the muzzle is then suggested with a dark dot. Fit the barrels only at the end of the build, so that they do not snap off while you handle the model.

Who it is for

The set suits modelers who are finishing a Wellington and want the turrets to stand up to close inspection. The work is short but calls for tweezers, a sharp blade and a little care. The model, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.