Master Model Review

Master Models
1/700 USN 14in/50 Barrels, For Turrets With Blast Bags

Reviewed September 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 700-051. These guns were the main battery armament on the New Mexico and Tennessee class battleships. This set is for turrets with blast bags. Previously, Master Model released set SM 700-050, which are also 14in/50 caliber barrels, but for turrets without blast bags.

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 kit blast bag, once you've removed the plastic barrel and drilled a hole into the kit blast bag on the Trumpeter kit.

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 are an improvement on the plastic barrels found on the Trumpeter/Pit Road kits. If you properly remove the plastic barrel per the instructions, these fit quite nicely. I personally like these better than the set for turrets without blast bags. I think they look - and fit - better than that set.

These brass barrels will make your New Mexico and Tennessee class battleship turrets standout from the rest of your scale fleet. They retail for around $5.95, and are available from many of our fine sponsors. Thanks to Master Models for the review sample. Highly recommended.