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In-Box Review
135
17cm Kanone
17cm Kanone Geschützwagon Tiger Barrel
  • 9237

by: Darren Baker [ CMOT ]

Introduction

The Geschützwagon Tiger für 17cm Kanone 72 (sf) (Grille 17) made by Trumpeter in 1/35th scale, reviewed here, has been on the market now for over a year and is a large and impressive AFV model. One of the favourite AM items for the AFV market is replacement barrels in turned aluminium and brass. Now, JB Models.eu have stepped up to the plate and offer a turned aluminium barrel with brass flash suppresser.

The product is supplied in a clear zip lock bag with the item number, description, and the manufacturers details on white labels attached to the bag. Inside there is another zip lock bag containing the additional pieces for the barrel.
Contents
  • 1 turned aluminium barrel
  • 1 turned aluminium base plate
  • 1 turned brass muzzle
  • 3 brass rings
  • 1 small PE fret
Review
I was unable to locate any useful reference material for this barrel, and because of that I resorted to comparing the metal offering against the plastic version in the kit. The length appears to be an exact match, as is the diameter of the lower half of the barrel. The upper half of the barrel is fractionally slimmer than the plastic version and the taper less pronounced. As I was unable to find reference material as stated earlier I cannot vouch for which is the most accurate, however as Herbert Ackerman has purchased this barrel and was impressed with it I am inclined to believe the metal offering is accurate.

The turned brass muzzle is a much improved offering over the plastic version, it is much finer with greater detail and has all the holes pre-drilled. The kit offering is marked as to where the holes need to be, however they all need to be drilled out and I feel the brass muzzle looks much better. The remaining pieces are the additional brass parts to finish the muzzle, and a turned aluminium base plate which connects the barrel to the plastic of the kit.
Conclusion

This product, in my opinion, is a far superior offering than the kit supplied barrel, both in terms of finish and detail, and I believe it offers value for the money which is a rare commodity these days. The packaging in which the product is packed is not good enough to protect the product through the postal system, although this has been overcome by the supplier as the product is shipped in a jiffy bag and the samples I received all arrived in perfect condition. The one weakness that could be difficult to overcome by the consumer depending on their knowledge, is the lack of any instructions. While most will not have any difficulties with this omission, it is an area of weakness that is easy to resolve.

I have been asked to make clear that sales within Europe incur a 20% VAT charge, this will make this product a little over 10 euros.
SUMMARY
Highs: The only after market turned metal barrel I am aware of for this vehicle, with very good detail and which represents value for money.
Lows: The lack of any kind of instructions could cause problems depending on the complexity of the product purchased, and knowledge of the consumer. This is the only real negative of this product.
Verdict: A very nice after market barrel which is a big improvement over the kit offering.
Percentage Rating
85%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 35B91
  Suggested Retail: 8.58 Euros
  PUBLISHED: Mar 02, 2009
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.04%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 91.28%

Our Thanks to JB Model.eu!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Darren Baker (CMOT)
FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM

I have been building model kits since the early 70’s starting with Airfix kits of mostly aircraft, then progressing to the point I am at now building predominantly armour kits from all countries and time periods. Living in the middle of Salisbury plain since the 70’s, I have had lots of opportunitie...

Copyright ©2021 text by Darren Baker [ CMOT ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Darren, your review is fair, accurate, and complete. I wouldn't change a thing. I was not disputing your rating in the least. I was just trying to convey my high enthusiasm for this product line and this dealer. I wanted to add a satisfied customer commentary. I mentioned the shipping cost because too many times I have found an exciting product at a great price overseas, only to find out that their shipping charge negates the value. What good is a $10 super deal on a barrel if they charge $30 to get it to you? $12 for 12 barrels was a steal. And it only took 11 days from date of order to my door, Austria to USA, so great service, too. Everything about this company was a win-win-win.
MAR 01, 2009 - 04:57 PM
Matthew no harm no fail, I did not take your comments as anything other than praise of JB Model. Thanks Jeff, and sorry Bill.
MAR 01, 2009 - 07:17 PM
just for the record, from what I heard here and there RB Model (as it is the real producer of those barrels) was (maybe still is) the subcontractor of Aber... It's even more possible as both companies are based in Poland. I have purchased many barrels since they appeared and must say that jb model has one of the finest client service. spit
MAR 01, 2009 - 08:20 PM
RB model produces all turned and milled brass parts for Armorscale see http://www.armorscale.com/
MAR 01, 2009 - 11:48 PM
Where is use this detail?
MAR 02, 2009 - 12:16 AM
yrq i believe it sits on the underside of the barrel and replicates some moulded detail on the plastic barrel, if I find that is the case I will be updating the review.
MAR 02, 2009 - 02:04 AM
That's a VERY important point, Matt. I have been told nothing can be done about the high shipping costs from the EU, but I wonder. Eduard, for example, is simply not worth bothering with because of the ridiculous shipping charges that cancel out their occasional sale offerings. I predict a "shake out" for some of these AM makers in the current, including Royal Model, whose prices are now so far out-of-line for some of their offerings that it's just not practical for all but the insane among us. Hey, I resemble that remark!
MAR 02, 2009 - 05:34 AM
You can find these tiny, tiny, microscopic PE parts on just about every AM German gunbarrel. It is the locker for the muzzlebrake. These are added to the base of the muzzlebrake. Extremely small "screws" that are nigh impossible to get out of the fret without sending them flying away. Check this Aber instruction for a Tiger-E barrel: http://aber.net.pl/pdf/a7b6f945f31d4098721081a6f3b55137.pdf Darren, did you actually fit this barrel to the Grille II kit yourself? Any indication as to how barrelheavy it is?
MAR 04, 2009 - 06:56 AM
Herbert I am afraid not as I have not had the time to return to the kit with everything else I have made myself a target for, If I do get a chance I will PM or E-mail you as the kit is partially built.
MAR 04, 2009 - 07:45 AM
   
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