PMMS
Armour Workshop
76mm M1A1 Sherman Barrel
LionMarc Model Designs Set No. LM20003
1:35th Scale
Review by Terry Ashley

This simple replacement M1A1 76.2mm Sherman barrel was originally designed by Tiger Model Designs and now also packaged by Lionmarc with three machined parts for the barrel plus the end collar and thread protector.

The three types of 76mm Sherman barrels were the M1 without muzzle brake, the M1A1 with threaded tip that was fitted with a thread protector cap before the muzzle brake became available and the later M1A2 barrel that was always fitted with the muzzle brake and had the rifling bands in a tighter twist which produced a slight increase in penetration at longer ranges. (see armorscale set #B35-028)

This barrel is the correct length and fixes the perennial problem with the Italeri and other plastic barrels having the incorrect step part way down the barrel.

Lionmarc three part metal barrel
LionMarc Model Designs
Thread protector
LionMarc Model Designs
Assembled barrel
LionMarc Model Designs

The end collar and thread protector are a perfect fit and just a small drop of cyanoacrylate is all that is needed to assemble the barrel, nothing could be easier. The only minor point is the barrel opening is quite shallow and you may want to carefully drill this out further for a better appearance.

Fitting the barrel to any Sherman kit is easy but the barrel only has the section outside the mantlet collar extension and to fit you first have to assemble the plastic barrel/mantlet as per the kit instructions. From there just cut off the plastic barrel level with the collar and drill a 2mm hole to take the small pin on the end on the LM barrel.

LionMarc Model Designs

Conclusion:
A simple update for any applicable Sherman kit to add a correctly dimensioned 76mm barrel with minimal alterations required to the target kit which will greatly improve the barrel appearance.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Leo from LionMarc Model Designs for the review set.



Page created January 8, 2006

Click Browsers BACK button to return to list
Home / Reviews / Vehicle Reviews / LionMarc Model Designs