1:32 Set of barrels for 20 mm gun M61A1used in modern US Force aircrafts

Barrels of the 20 mm M61A1 Cannon 1:32 (Aber)

A set of turned metal barrels in 1:32 scale from the Polish manufacturer Aber. It is not an aircraft model but an accessory for a kit of a modern American combat aircraft. The package contains the barrels of the 20 mm M61A1 rotary cannon. It is precisely the bundle of slender parallel barrels that comes out coarse in injection-molded plastic and warps easily when sanded; the metal version holds both shape and alignment. The exact breakdown of the parts follows the contents of the particular package.

The real subject

The M61 Vulcan is an American 20 mm rotary aircraft cannon of the Gatling type with six barrels and a very high rate of fire. The introduction of the M61A1 version made it the standard gun armament of American fighter and attack aircraft from the 1960s. The weapon appears in the armament of types such as the F-4, F-105, F-14, F-15, F-16, F/A-18 and F-22, on some of them in a built-in installation with a barrel fairing, on others in external pods.

Building and painting tips

Handle the bundle of barrels carefully so that they stay parallel; when seating it, it pays to check the angle against the fuselage from several directions. Degrease the metal and go over it with a base coat of primer. On modern aircraft the barrels tend to be in a dark metallic or graphite shade, and the area around the muzzle and the gas outlet is brought out with a dark wash or a faint hint of soot, which stands out markedly on light gray camouflage.

Who the set is for

• Builders of modern American combat aircraft in 1:32 scale
• Modelers who want a faithful bundle of barrels instead of a coarse plastic part
• More experienced modelers working with metal parts
• Collectors of modern aircraft armament accessories

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.