Black Cat Models
1/350 40mm Bofor Single Mount

 
Reviewed by Martin J Quinn
September 2019
Black Cat Models of France continues to release new 3D printed subjects.   Among the latest releases is a set of 40mm quad gun single mounts, 40mm Bofors quad Mark VII single mount.  This weapon was a "single barreled, hydraulically powered mounting that superseded the Mark III and entered service in 1945", according to Wikipedia.   The Black Cat website describes the weapon as "mostly used by the Royal Navy, Canadian Navy, Commonwealth Navies during the later stages of WWII".

Click to enlarge images
THE 20mm GUNS
The packaging is a plastic clamshell container, with three 3D printed runners secured to the bottom of the packaging with thick double sided tape.   This prevents the runner from moving during shipping.  As with other Black Cat products, to avoid breakage while taking photographs, I left the parts affixed to the tape.

There are enough parts for four single 40mm weapons, with the parts spread over three runners.   One runner has the mounts for the weapons, one has the barrels, the last has four Mark 51 directors.   As with everything else I've seen from Black Cat, the detail on the parts is superb, with fine hand rails, thin barrels with flash suppressors, and ammo storage racks that appear to have rounds stacked in them. 
Close ups of some of the parts details.
INSTRUCTIONS
There are no instructions in the box, but the packing directs you to the Black Cat Models website.   There, on a data page for the particular item, you will find instructions on how to remove the printed supports that are part of the 3D printing process.
CONCLUSIONS
These 3D printed 40mm guns are very well done.   The print quality is first rate, with excellent details.  I'm especially impressed with the rails on the mount and the gun sights on the barrels.  You'll have to research which particular Royal Navy ships carried this weapon, but once you do they'll make an excellent addition to those particular ships. 

This is Black Cat Models set AC350001a, 20mm Oerlikon Mk4/0 Standard shield. . They retail for about $11.50 USD, and are available directly from Black Cat Models.   Highly recommended.


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