1:35 BMP-3 barrel

A turned gun barrel for the BMP-3 in 1:35 scale

This is not a kit but a replacement gun barrel for a model of the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle in 1:35 scale from the Polish manufacturer Aber. A turned metal barrel solves two things that always have to be fought with on a plastic part: it has no longitudinal parting line that has to be sanded away while the surrounding detail is destroyed, and it is perfectly straight, so it carries its own weight and does not sag even after years in a display case. The muzzle is also turned with an opening, so no drilling is needed.

The real subject

The BMP-3 is a Soviet and later Russian infantry fighting vehicle with combined armament in the turret: the main weapon is the 100 mm 2A70 low-pressure gun, which can also launch guided missiles, and it is complemented by a coaxial 30 mm 2A72 automatic cannon. It is precisely this array of projecting barrels that makes the silhouette of the vehicle unmistakable, and it is a detail by which the quality of a build is judged. The vehicle also reached export versions in a number of armies, so the range of kits and accessories is wide.

Fitting and painting tips

Degrease the metal part with alcohol before gluing, otherwise not even a primer will hold on it. It is glued with super glue, or with a two-part epoxy, which gives more time to line it up. Check the seating of the barrel in the turret dry and only then glue it, as a straight metal barrel will mercilessly show any misaligned joint. It is best painted over a primer intended for metal; then bring out the muzzle with a dark shade, so that the opening looks deeper.

Who the barrel is for

• builders of modern Russian vehicles in 1:35 scale
• modelers bothered by a parting line and a bent plastic barrel
• builders of contest models, where accuracy of detail is judged
• those who want to improve a model with a single part and no major rebuild