Master Barrels B-17 Brass Gun Barrels (for HK Models) 1:32

[Mike]

B-17 Brass Gun Barrels (for HK Models)
1:32 Master Barrels

Cleverly, HK have moulded the barrels for their new and immense 1:32 B-17G as separate parts from the breeches of the .50cals, so they can be added later to avoid knocking them off. As you can imagine, the styrene barrels can be bettered by the use of brass parts, and of course Master were always going to make replacements. It was inevitable.

This set arrives in their standard package, with an inner bag heat sealed into three sections for the barrels, cooling jackets and flash-hiders. There are thirteen barrels, onto which thirteen flash hiders slide, to be fixed with a little dab of CA on the mating points. You will need to insert them carefully the first time to clear the swarf from the drilling process, but once that has been cleared out, they slide in and out nicely. If you have a piece of 1.1mm brass rod nearby, it might be wise to ream them out before inserting the barrels, which are thinner in the middle, so may conceivably bend under extreme pressure if you encounter a log-jam of brass shards.

Four of the barrels are supplied with large flash-hiders that slide over the tip of the barrels to both protect the operator from the blinding flash of their weapons, and to act as an intimidating sight for enemy aircraft attacking from front or behind, by giving the impression of larger calibre guns in those positions. A scrap diagram shows the correct positioning of the parts, and a little scraping of the diagonal cut will result in a better looking finish.

Conclusion
There is little more appealing on a model than a set of brass barrels, and a large model like the Fortress deserves only the best aftermarket thrown at it. Because the B-17 bristles with guns, it makes sense to replace the kit parts with these brass beauties, as they are a focal point in themselves. They aren't cheap, but they're worth it.

Very highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of Piotr at