USN MK37 Mod 4 Director

Gold Medal Models No. 350038, 1/350th Scale Printed Resin

Reviewed by Devin Poore, October 2025


 
The MK 37 fire control director was an updated version of the MK 33 gun director. Used heavily during WWII by the US Navy and many of its allies, the fire control system was used for both air and surface targets. Continually improved throughout its life, the director stayed in service well into the Cold War.

Gold Medal Models is now owned by Squadron. After acquiring the older Gold Medal Models photo etch, they've expanded the accessory line, now with 3D printed accessories. One of the first pieces to be released is this set of four MK37, Mod 4, directors. The Mod 4 differed in appearance from previous models with a different radar screen layout, and a flat back to the director housing.

The directors are quite complex little prints, with everything attached to the director housing, including ladders, hand and foot rails, radar support, and the radar screen. The radar screen is especially impressive, as the mesh screen is truly meshed all the way through, and not a solid facsimile. There are very slight layer lines visible on the prints from the printing process, but very faint; they're visible in my photos, but those are taken with a macro lens, so you're seeing a lot more that you do with the naked eye. There are supposed to be very fine supports (or maybe additional antenna aerials?) that run from the four opposite corners of the radar screen to the center, but only a couple of them came out in the print, as they're so fine. They can be replaced with extremely thin wire, or even fine paint brush bristles.

 
CONCLUSIONS
These are cool little accessories. One piece replacements for lesser detailed styrene kit parts. The detail is great, and that actual mesh radar screen is impressive. Highly recommended for someone who's looking to replace kit parts, or for those who just don't want to deal with folding a photoetched brass radar screen. The directors also remove easily from the printing raft without damage.

You can find the Gold Medal Models line at Squadron.com, which you can get to by clicking on the logo to the right. At the time of this review, I couldn't find these listed as for sale, but they should be available soon. Thank you to Squadron.com for the review samples.

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