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In-Box Review
135
QF 25pdr Barrel
Gun Barrel for QF 25pdr Field Gun Mk II/I
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by: Darren Baker [ CMOT ]

Introduction

The 25pdr Field Gun needs little introduction, being an easily identifiable Artillery gun that came into service with British and Commonwealth armed forces during World War Two. The 25pdr is still in service with some countries around the world, but finished service with the British Army in the 1980’s. Models of the QF 25pdr are currently available from Bronco Models, Dragon Models, Tamiya and I believe one is due from AFV Club. RB Models recently released the front portion of the barrel and muzzle brake for the QF 25pdr Mk II/I.

Contents

  • Turned aluminium barrel
  • Brass muzzle brake
  • Brass collar
  • 4 Brass securing bolts

Review

First impressions of this barrel from RB Models are very good as most of the detail present on the QF 25pdr has been faithfully replicated in the scale metal barrel offering. The aluminium barrel has had rifling replicated and too a reasonable depth, it should be explained though that the rifling is not rotated around the inner face of the barrel but goes straight down, for what can be seen this is perfectly adequate. The muzzle brake is very nice with the exception of the ridge detail on the flat surfaces; I do not know if this is by design or due to the milling process, but this detail is not present on any of the 25pdrs in use with The Garrison. The collar is very finely detailed and from what I can see accurate. There are also four bolts supplied with the barrel in brass; however only one of these is needed, not two as indicated on the RB Models website. A bolt should only be added to the top of the muzzle brake and not the bottom. The capture device for this nut is not supplied in the kit and can be replicated with a thin piece of plasticard and a small punched nut.

I checked the measurements of this barrel against one of The Garrisons 25pdrs and the results are below;
  • The brake portion is 1 scale mm too long
  • The full muzzle brake is 1.5 scale mm too long
  • The overall length of the barrel is 3.5 scale mm too long

If I am honest this inaccuracy does not bother me and is more than made up for by the improved look of the barrel. The fact that there is no clean up means there will not be any flat spots to worry about and the muzzle brake will do away with the need to hide the usual join.

Conclusion

Depending on how important accuracy is to you and whether 3.5mm is going to be obvious to your eye, I do feel this is a worthy addition to any 25pdr model as it will improve the overall look of the finished artillery gun. In fairness to RB Models it is possible that there are differences in length depending on where the gun was upgraded and what renovation has taken place to it.
SUMMARY
Highs: This barrel does look better than the plastic barrels and muzzle brakes supplied with kit offerings.
Lows: The scale size would appear to be 3.5mm adrift.
Verdict: A worthy consideration for a 25pdr or one the Sexton kits available.
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 35B134
  Suggested Retail: 7.44
  PUBLISHED: Aug 03, 2014
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.04%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 88.18%

Our Thanks to RB Model!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Darren Baker (CMOT)
FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM

I have been building model kits since the early 70’s starting with Airfix kits of mostly aircraft, then progressing to the point I am at now building predominantly armour kits from all countries and time periods. Living in the middle of Salisbury plain since the 70’s, I have had lots of opportunitie...

Copyright ©2021 text by Darren Baker [ CMOT ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Thanks for the review! It's a quite large dimensional discrepancy for a relatively short barrel I think. Would be interested to know RB Model's answer, they possibly used innacurate line drawings or dimensions? I don't think there would be different versions of the gun with different dimensions, or maybe a badly restored gun was used as reference? Inquiring minds want to know! Cheers, Christophe
AUG 04, 2014 - 07:46 PM
For some reason, if I remember correctly, that is what the Dragon 25 pdr was off by too. Maybe they used the same drawings?
AUG 05, 2014 - 01:47 AM
You can see from the included pictures where my measurements came from and not everyone would have that opportunity. I have said there may be differences as I have no way of knowing if guns around the world have slight changes dimension wise. If there is one thing I have learnt it is to never say" That would never happen" as someone else on the site will post up a picture top prove otherwise.
AUG 05, 2014 - 03:56 AM
Darren, you are probably pretty safe. I believe the tolerances for 25 pounders were reasonably tightly controlled, insert the usual apocryphal tale of being able to assemble a working breech block and ring from parts made in different countries. There are some additional measurements here. Plates on that gun were General Motors Holdens, from memory.
AUG 05, 2014 - 06:51 PM
I am taking some better pictures of this portion of the gun barrel to send to RB Model should they wish to refine the barrel. I will also seend them images of the barrel from the version minus the muzzle brake should they wish to make one available.
AUG 06, 2014 - 08:13 AM
   
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