Master Model Review

Master Models
1/700 USN 14in/50 Barrels Without Blast Bags

Reviewed June 2018
by Martin J Quinn

Master Model has released a set of 1/700 brass barrels in their Sea Master series, for United States Navy Battleships with 14in/50 caliber main guns, set SM 700-050. These guns were the main battery armament on the New Mexico and Tennessee class battleships.

Click to enlarge images

THE BARRELS

There are twelve barrels included in the package. They are very finely machined, with the muzzles of the barrels open and a small raised ring around the muzzle. The breech end of the barrel has a pin to insert into the turret face.

INSTRUCTIONS

The instructions are on one small piece of paper, folded into the package. They tell you which ships carried these weapons, and how to replace the plastic barrel with the brass barrel.

CONCLUSIONS

These barrels are very nice. As the photos show, they really are an improvement on the plastic barrels found on the kit parts. However, it does appear that you'll have to do some filling to get them to fit snuggly against the turret faces.

If you want to up-gun your USN battlewagons to fight a scale two-ocean war, you'll want to refit them with these barrels. They retail for around $5.95, and are available from many of our fine sponsors. Thanks to Master Models for the review sample. Recommended.