1:72 Soviet tank barrel 85cm ZIS-S-53 L/54,6 T-34/85

The real subject

The T-34/85 is a Soviet medium tank of the Second World War, the later form of the famous T-34 with a larger turret and a more powerful main weapon. That weapon is the 85 mm ZIS-S-53 gun. The figure L/54.6, which the name of the item also carries, is not a second caliber figure but the barrel length expressed in multiples of the caliber, that is, the ratio of the length of the barrel to its diameter.

What is on offer

A turned metal barrel of the ZIS-S-53 gun for a T-34/85 model in 1:72 scale. The barrel is turned from metal and replaces the plastic part from a kit. A metal barrel is perfectly straight and round in cross-section, its muzzle is crisp and thin-walled and nothing on it has to be cleaned up. In a small scale, where the plastic barrel is the thinnest part of the whole kit, that shows at first glance.

Installation and painting

Cut the plastic barrel off with a saw as close to the mantlet as possible and level the surface. If need be, widen the hole for the barrel carefully with a drill bit held in the hand, so that the pin seats without play. Before you glue the barrel in, seat it dry and check from a distance that it points straight and is not twisted; once the glue has dried it cannot be corrected. It is glued with super glue applied with a needle. Degrease the metal with alcohol before painting and prime it with a base color intended for metal, otherwise the coat will not hold on the smooth surface and will rub off during handling.

• 1:72 scale
• a turned metal barrel of the 85mm ZIS-S-53 gun
• for a model of the T-34/85 tank
• bonded with super glue
• the metal has to be degreased and primed before painting

Terms of supply

The tank kit, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.