M o d e l W a r s h i p s . c o m 3D Model Parts 1/700 IJN 12.7cm 40 Type 89 Guns, SKU #N705

3D Model Parts 1/700 IJN 12.7cm 40 Type 89 Guns
SKU #N705

Reviewed June 2020
by Dan Kaplan

Background

The standard heavy anti-aircraft weapon for the Imperial Japanese Navy leading up to and during the Second World War was the Type 89 12.7cm/40 caliber gun. Introduced in 1932, it was typically mounted on an partially open mount utilizing twin barrels. As such, it could be found on almost all aircraft carriers, battleships, heavy and some light cruisers. A single mount version, along with the double mount, was used to equip the late war Matsu and Tachibana class destroyers. Other versions were mounted in enclosed blast/smoke shields aboard the Yamato class battleships and aircraft carriers.

This was a high angle weapon used most effectively against aircraft, though it doubled as a dual purpose, low angle mount against surface targets. It is not to be confused with the true low angle 12.7cm/50 cal. Third Year Type gun mounted as the main battery aboard most IJN destroyers.

Resin

3D Model Parts offers these partially shielded mounts in orange resin as a package of four. That’s enough to complete the secondary armament for almost all IJN heavy cruisers, and half the complement aboard large aircraft carriers. There are two thin wafers, one carrying the actual open mount, the other wafer carrying barrels and recoil tube/carriages. The wafers come inside a standard, capped clear poly tube, as do most 3D Model Parts. Extra care is recommended in removing the pieces off the wafers. (Know that five mounts, five recoil tube/carriages, and 10 barrels are supplied. The extras are just that, extras, which is a nice touch in case something gets damaged or lost.)

The detailing is extremely nice, including open viewports for the gunlayer, mounting racks for the recoil tube carriages (which are never seen on styrene versions) stiffening bars on the sides, lightening holes, and small access hatches and access ladders. The barrels and recoil tubes are scaled extremely well.

The guns can be posed at any elevation. CA glue or PVA is recommended.

Instructions

It consists of a simple sheet with illustrations as well as basic cleaning and assembly steps.

Final thoughts

These are extremely well done, and worth replacements for any kit part. Apologies for the iffy photography; I found it difficult to get good contrast and detail from such small pieces.

This is set # N705, which retails for $5.50 US. It’s a very good price; a set of 4 such mounts from Finemolds in styrene is almost twice as much, before shipping. These are available directly from 3D Model Parts at: http://www.3dmodelparts.com/

Review sample courtesy of 3D Model Parts