1:35 M68 Gun barrel with thermal sleeve for Bundeswehr M48A2G2 (for Revell kit)

The real subject

The American medium tank M48 formed the backbone of the armored forces of the Bundeswehr in the 1960s. Some of the vehicles were rearmed: instead of the original gun they received a rifled gun of 105 mm caliber, that is a weapon of the same family as the one the Leopard 1 carried. The gun with the American designation M68 is a licensed form of the same type, and with this modification the German M48s served long after more modern equipment was introduced.

The thermal sleeve

The barrel is made with a thermal sleeve. It is a light cover slipped over the barrel, which shields it from the sun, rain and its own heating from firing. Without it the barrel heats unevenly, bends slightly and the shot goes wide. On a model the sleeve is clearly visible by its clamps and lengthwise division, so a barrel with a sleeve and one without cannot be confused.

Building tips

First try the fit of the part dry and, if need be, carefully widen the opening in the gun mantlet, so that the barrel seats without pressure and stays on the axis. The part is not polystyrene, ordinary cement for plastic kits will not hold on it, so use super glue or epoxy. Cut excess material and traces of manufacture away with a sharp blade a little clear of the part and sand the remainder off. Wash and degrease the barrel before painting.

Who it is for

For builders of German M48 tanks in 1:35 scale. The barrel is built for the Revell kit, so with other kits check the fit dry. The package holds the barrel. The tank kit, paints and glue are not part of it, unless stated otherwise.