Random Ship Details

Reviewed by Timothy Dike

The 3" 50 cal. Mk 33 Twin gun was the replacement for the quad 40 mm gun mount. These automatic rapid firing guns were designed to provide close in anti aircraft protection. These guns saw were installed on most post WW2 ships. Often replacing quad 40 mm mounts when ships were refitted and updated. These important gun mounts are accurately reproduced in 1/96 scale white metal in amazing detail.

The 3" guns are pretty complicated and this kit does not simplify them at all. Rather small parts are sharply reproduced from the recoil springs on the guns to the teeth on the small gears. Casting is very nice with barely a trace of flash to remove.

The platform has nice diamond plate tread cast to the surface for a most realistic appearance. You will find even the small foot pedals for steering the guns in manual mode included.

The instructions are seven pages of photos that shows the building process in a series of step by step in progress pictures. These are easy to follow and should be all you need to build your gun mount.

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I find it helpful when modeling in smaller scales to have a nice 3D representation of items like this to better visualize what the smaller components are supposed to look like. Additional photo's and drawings of this gun mount can be found in Classic Warships Warship Pictorial #8 USS Salem CA-139.

Conclusions:

Anyone who has ever scratchbuilt a 1/96 scale ship knows that the amount of time and effort needed to scratchbuilt this director would be a time consuming affair. This kit will greatly reduce the time needed to produce a large scale ship and allow more time to be devoted to other projects. A file, hobby knife, sandpaper and super glue is all that is needed to complete assembly of this gun assembly.

This is set # JD-01, Priced at $35.00. A great accessory and a nice standalone gun kit. Click the logo to go to the J&D Productions website to see their full line of products and services