CMK Bofors 40mm AA/AS Gun PT Boat Weapon Set #6 (N72044 for Revell) 1:72

[Mike]

Bofors 40mm AA/AS Gun PT Boat Weapon Set #6 (N72044 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 six of a growing series of sets that are now available for the basic kit, and it depicts the Bofors 40mm Anti-Aircraft cannon that saw extensive use both at sea and in the air during WWII, which was based upon a Swedish design that had been instigated as an improvement on previous Vickers designs.  They were often seen mounted on the foredeck of PT boats on a substantial boxy installation, and the gun was used almost ubiquitously by WWII Allied Navies.

 

The set arrives in a white cardboard box with a captive top flap and sticker showing the contents.  Inside are three bags of parts, the traditional cast resin in grey, and the 3D printed parts in a bright orange colour.  Additionally, a small fret of Photo-Etch (PE) provides more parts, and all this is protected by the instruction sheet and a few polystyrene foam peanuts to increase stability of the parts during transport and storage.  The resin parts are attached to their casting and print bases in sensible locations to reduce clean-up work, and once the parts are liberated, they can be put to good use.

 

 

Construction begins with the resin base, onto which the rotating floor and rear rails are added from the 3D parts, fitting PE foot rests and orange resin seats with PE backrests.  A curved 3D profile is fixed to the rear of the floor, then the gun is built up based upon the breech, two of which are included, one for horizontal and one for elevated poses.  Your choice of breech receives the barrel at the front, a resin ammo feeder that locates in a recess in the top of the breech, plus a PE twin ring-and-bead sight so that both crew members can sight the gun.  It is mounted between two trunnions with PE elevation winder handles that should be glued in opposition to each other, adding twin elevation pistons under the front for the elevated option, and a curved resin part to the rear.  The horizontal breech also has a choice of installing a covered ammo feeder instead of the open feeder that has rounds ready for firing.  The base of the completed gun assembly is then plugged into a recess in the centre of the floor of the rotating portion to finish off, and a replacement stowage box has been included to improve details on the deck as a bonus.

 

 

Markings

There are no decals in the box, and no painting instructions are provided, as these will be found in the base Revell kit.

 

 

Conclusion

If your kit comes with a 40mm Bofors, this is a great way to upgrade the detail simply.  If it doesn’t, you can install it on the front deck to add some individuality to your model.

 

Highly recommended.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of