Tank main gun detailing

Hello Don!

I don't know if it's worth it, on the few real tanks I've seen that rifling wasn't all that noticeable (and most of them had a muzzle brake anyhow). I've seen something to show rifling on some metal barrels - like this one here:

- but they are axial, not helical (that would be OK with me).

I hope this helps you - good luck with your builds and have a nice day

Paweł

Thanks Pawel.  I am probably trying for too much detail.  I'd probably be better off scratch building interiors and leaving the hatches open.

Don

Years ago, one of the Aftermarket companies sold photo etched sheet that had the rifling on it and you could use to line your model's gun barrel. I don't recall which company or know if it's still available. But at one time, such a product was available.

Depending on the caliber of the gun, the rifling may or may not be visible in scale. Something larger like a 90 mm, 105 etc. Sure.

A smaller barrel like a 50 or 76, maybe not in 1/35 scale.

A DIY method of the product Stikpusher mentioned is to use lead foil, (I have a large stash from old wine bottle hoods). Scribe parallel groves in foil with a ruler and X-Acto blade to represent the rifling. Cut foil into a suitable rectangle, in which the length matches the gun's diameter when rolled-up, (C=2πr). It will take some test fitting to get the length just right. Give the rifling a black wash to make it stand out and insert the rolled rifling into the barrel, seam side up and glue with CA. Burnish the outside edge with a round, pointed tool to blend the edge into the barrel. I've used this method on larger guns, it may be rather tricky on a barrel his small. If the thickness of the foil is a problem, you can drill out the barrel to ensure the correct diameter.