This set of finely turned stainless steel gun barrels for early U.S. Navy 8” gunned cruisers and carriers is the latest in a long line of superb replacement parts for 1/350 naval vessels. Each of the open-ended barrels is slightly tapered with very finely defined segmentations. The short stubs at the end of the barrel allows for easy insertion into the kit’s turret or blast bag. The accompanying comparison photos show the Master metal barrels next to the 8”gun kit parts from the Trumpeter Saratoga. The Master barrels are noticeably longer and, no doubt, more accurate than the kit parts.

With nine barrels included in the package, these parts would be used with kits of the pre-war Treaty classes of U.S. heavy cruisers - the Pensacola, Northampton, Portland, and New Orleans classes, as well as the Lexington and Saratoga carriers before their 8” gun turrets were landed. So far, only the New Orleans class cruisers, as well as the Lex and Sara, are available in plastic (by Trumpeter), but other cruiser classes are available in resin. Keep in mind that the Pensacola (and sister Salt Lake City) had ten 8-inchers, so you’ll be one gun short if you use this set on either of those ships.

My thanks to Master Model for providing IPMS with the review set, and IPMS/USA for providing me with the review space.