CMK PT Boat Weapon Set #1 Mk.4 20mm Oerlikon Cannon (N72030 for Revell) 1:72

[Mike]

PT Boat Weapon Set #1 Mk.4 20mm Oerlikon Cannon (N72030 for Revell)

1:72 CMK Navy Series by Special Hobby

 

 

The American PT boat series were fast, agile and well-armed to deal with the Japanese enemy in the Pacific theatre for the most part.  Revell’s kits of these famous sea-borne warriors are quite old now, so upgrades to the level of detail to modern standards is a worthwhile proposition.  This set is number one of a series of sets that are now available for the basic kit, and it depicts the much-used Swiss developed Mk.4 Oerlikon 20mm cannon that saw extensive use both at sea and in the air during WWII, ironically based on a WWI German design.  They were often seen mounted on the foredeck of PT boats, and in a circular ‘band-stand’ installation on the British MTBs amongst many other uses.

 

 

The set arrives in a white cardboard box with a captive top flap and sticker showing the contents.  Inside are three bags of resin parts, the traditional cast resin in grey, and the 3D printed parts in a light orange colour.  Additionally, a small fret of Photo-Etch (PE) provides more parts, and all this is protected by the instruction sheet and an additional glossy sheet that advertises some of Special Hobby’s other maritime upgrade sets.  Construction begins with creating the conical mount, which starts with a flat circular base onto which the riser fits, adding a 3D printed adjustment wheel and the trunnion on a circular base that holds the cannon in position.  A 3D printed magazine and twin shoulder rests finish the cannon, adding the two-part PE ring and bead sight on a tapering mount between the magazine and rear of the breech.  There is also an upgraded rectangular locker included in the box to replace the kit part with additional detail.

 

The detail that resin and 3D printed parts bring to the installation will be a huge improvement over the original.

 

Highly recommended.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of