Black Cat Models Review - AC350213 Canvas Tops 5in/38cal

Reviewed by Martin J Quinn
June 2026

Black Cat Models from France has added another offering to its stable of US 5 inch/38 caliber enclosed gun mounts, this one being AC350213, 5in./38 gun single mount with canvas top. These particular mounts were found on the earlier US Destroyers, especially the Benson/Gleaves and Sims class. According to Wikipedia, "Among naval historians, the 5"/38 gun is considered the best intermediate-caliber, dual purpose naval gun of World War II".

Click to enlarge images

THE PARTS

The packaging is Black Cat's typical plastic clamshell container. The 3D printed runner containing the guns and barrels is secured to the bottom of the packaging with thick double sided tape, which prevents the runner from moving during shipping.

My package is a pre-production sample, with 6 mounts included, as I have been pestering poor Ben from Black Cat to make these versions of the mounts for some years now. Thanks to some hi-resolution photos supplied by Sean Hert and Tracy White, Ben was able to produce these unique mounts.

The production product has two mounts in the package. The mounts come with barrels and blast bag printed integral to the part.

As expected with Black Cat parts, the detail is exceptional. Some of the details that stand out are the delicate grab handles and the individual ladder rungs on the mounts, all of which actually stand off from the turret itself. The gun barrels have open muzzles, while the canvas top sags nicely to represent the real thing. Contrast the Black Cat parts with a Dragon canvas topped turret in some of the photos below.

INSTRUCTIONS

There are no instructions in the package. You simply remove these from the print raft.

CONCLUSIONS

These canvas covered 5in/38cal 3D printed mounts are a welcome addition to Black Cat's extensive line of accessories. The print quality is very good, the details are outstanding. I'm especially impressed with the individual ladder rungs and the way the canvas top has been rendered. These will be a big upgrade to the kit supplied versions of these mounts on the Dragon Benson/Gleaves-class kits, as well as those found in the old Classic Warship/Yankee Modelworks Sims-class kits.

This is Black Cat Models set AC350017e, 5in./38 Mk.30 gun on close mount single knuckle. The pair retails for about $14.70 USD, and are available directly from Black Cat Models. Highly recommended!