ABER [ MORE REVIEWS ] [ WEBSITE ] [ NEW STORIES ]

In-Box Review
172
Jagdpanzer IV L/70 Barrel
German 75mm Pak 42 L/70 barrel for Jagdpanzer IV
  • 1_Aber_Inst

by: Mike High [ TACFIREGURU ]

Introduction
Polish manufacturer Aber has introduced a 1/72nd scale turned aluminum barrel for the Dragon Jagdpanzer IV. In this instance, the barrel will replace the kit barrel of the “Command Version,” kit number 7238. The set is simple and consists of a single aluminum turned barrel and a small, simple to follow instruction sheet.

The Review
Aber’s instructions are simplicity; cut, drill, attach. Aber has you cut off the small round half-tab on the “breech” (kit part D9) and, using a 1.5mm drill bit, drill out the hole for the barrel’s small shank. The shank is inserted into the “breech” and secured with CA glue. The resulting assembly is then slid through either part B6 or B9 (depending on version) and finally, slide the mantlet over the barrel and snug it up. The kit barrel and “breech” are approximately 56 mm and the Aber barrel and “breech” are approximately 58 mm in length, so it's recommended that you check references for which is the correct length.

I do find that the very light recessed band near the business end of the Aber barrel looks much better than that of the kit barrel. Additionally, the barrel end is adequately bored out and the wall of the barrel is much thinner than the plastic barrel and is a more realistic representation.

Conclusion
I probably spent half again more time gluing and aligning the kit barrel to the “breech” than I did removing the tab, drilling for the shank, and putting the Aber barrel in. I did not bother to clean the seam lines on the kit barrel as it will not be used on this vehicle. The upgrade is simple, quick, and easy to install to produce a more scale effect vs. the kit-supplied item. Recommended.
SUMMARY
Highs: A very simple, quick, and easy modification for the Jagdpanzer IV L/70.
Lows: None that are apparent.
Verdict: An exceptionally nice turned aluminum barrel. Well worth the very minimal bit of time and effort to replace the kit’s plastic barrel.
Percentage Rating
95%
  Scale: 1:72
  Mfg. ID: 72 L-31
  Suggested Retail: $6.25
  PUBLISHED: May 29, 2008
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 88.85%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 90.73%

Our Thanks to Aber!
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.

View Vendor Homepage  |  More Reviews  

About Mike High (TacFireGuru)
FROM: COLORADO, UNITED STATES

Like most, I started out in my young years; building Monogram armor and aircraft. Joining the Army at 17 in 1981 put a stop to my building for many years, I retired in 2001 and ran across Armorama....I've been re-hooked since. I'm a notoriously slow builder and seem to have more than one buil...

Copyright ©2021 text by Mike High [ TACFIREGURU ]. All rights reserved.



   
ADVERTISEMENT


Photos
Click image to enlarge
  • 1_Aber_Inst
  • 2_Aber_Turned_Barrel
  • 3_Aber_Barrel_and_Toothpick
  • 4_Aber_and_Kit_Barrel
  • 5_Kit_Barrel_and_Mantlet
  • 6_Aber_Barrel_and_Mantlet
  • 7_Kit_Barrel_and_Breech
  • 8_Aber_Barrel_and_Breech
  • 9_Gun_System_and_Aber_Barrel
ADVERTISEMENT