Looking at my kits, I found Dragon's PaK 97 along with a white metal kit from Special Operations Group. One thing that struck me was the barrel, particularly the muzzle brake, needed work. When RB Barrels of Poland released a set, I placed an order form Old Dog Models and received the set.
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As usual for RB Barrels, the items come in © Ziploc bags with a self-adhesive label. It clearly shows the contents but the instructions are not included. For those, you must visit RB Barrels web site. There, photographs taken at various stages of assembly serve as instructions.
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The barrel is turned aluminum with a stepped section for the muzzle brake and lock to slip on. There is not simulated rifling at the end but it is drilled to a respectable depth and will look good after assembly. The dimensions match those in my Panzer Tracts plans. The locking ring comes next. Study the included photos to get the orientation of the machined slots correct. After this, slip on the locking section band. The muzzle brake proper and the machined end should be soldered together and the joint filled and sanded away. Last is the locking ring which is provided as a photo etched part.
/images/stories/img_pictures/sharkmouth_24/new_stuff_028_20100620_1953477729.jpg
Assembly of the locking section includes bending the photo-etched brass bracket, and soldering to the band. The actual locking rod is not included nor is the four bolts which secure the bracket to the band. See the photo of the actual gun. The PE is far too thin to represent the bracket correctly.
It did not take long to assemble the barrel. I used Gator’s Grip Hobby Glue for most of the parts since it works with dissimilar metals. However, I was not convinced by the photo-etched parts. Comparing them to my photos of the Aberdeen gun showed that the lock is incorrect in the photo-etched brass and is best replaced with thick sheet styrene. While at it, add the missing four bolts which can be seen in the image taken from below.
/images/stories/img_pictures/sharkmouth_24/new_stuff_025_20100620_1542948554.jpg
A close look at the muzzle brake does show the proper configuration even if the holes seem slightly too large. They are certainly better than the Dragon offering. Please note that the photographs are of Dragon’s initial release and not the premium kit. In the end, I am happy since the muzzle brake was the issue I had and it is resolved by this set. However, the PE is useless to me and a replacement must still be made by oneself.
/images/stories/img_pictures/sharkmouth_24/new_stuff_026_20100620_1197392030.jpg
As usual for RB Barrels, the items come in © Ziploc bags with a self-adhesive label. It clearly shows the contents but the instructions are not included. For those, you must visit RB Barrels web site. There, photographs taken at various stages of assembly serve as instructions.
------------------------------------
/images/stories/img_pictures/sharkmouth_24/new_stuff_027_20100620_1905921891.jpg
The barrel is turned aluminum with a stepped section for the muzzle brake and lock to slip on. There is not simulated rifling at the end but it is drilled to a respectable depth and will look good after assembly. The dimensions match those in my Panzer Tracts plans. The locking ring comes next. Study the included photos to get the orientation of the machined slots correct. After this, slip on the locking section band. The muzzle brake proper and the machined end should be soldered together and the joint filled and sanded away. Last is the locking ring which is provided as a photo etched part.
/images/stories/img_pictures/sharkmouth_24/new_stuff_028_20100620_1953477729.jpg
Assembly of the locking section includes bending the photo-etched brass bracket, and soldering to the band. The actual locking rod is not included nor is the four bolts which secure the bracket to the band. See the photo of the actual gun. The PE is far too thin to represent the bracket correctly.
It did not take long to assemble the barrel. I used Gator’s Grip Hobby Glue for most of the parts since it works with dissimilar metals. However, I was not convinced by the photo-etched parts. Comparing them to my photos of the Aberdeen gun showed that the lock is incorrect in the photo-etched brass and is best replaced with thick sheet styrene. While at it, add the missing four bolts which can be seen in the image taken from below.
/images/stories/img_pictures/sharkmouth_24/new_stuff_025_20100620_1542948554.jpg
A close look at the muzzle brake does show the proper configuration even if the holes seem slightly too large. They are certainly better than the Dragon offering. Please note that the photographs are of Dragon’s initial release and not the premium kit. In the end, I am happy since the muzzle brake was the issue I had and it is resolved by this set. However, the PE is useless to me and a replacement must still be made by oneself.