Aber barrel reviews:
Aber 35 L-21 German 50 mm KwK 39/1 L/60 (for 234/2 Puma); Aber 35 L-19 German 75 mm PaK 40 (early model); Aber 35 L22 German 128 mm PaK 44 (80) L/55 (for Sd.Kfz.186 Jagdtiger)

by Lester Plaskitt

Nowadays the use of replacement metal gun barrels has become commonplace amongst modellers, but one of the problems encountered is either having to use the kit's muzzle break or trying to eliminate the joint line from the two part metal muzzle break supplied with the replacement barrel kits. Aber of Poland have produced an answer to the problem by not only producing expertly turned aluminium barrels, but also now supplying the barrels with turned brass muzzle breaks – which eradicates the need for diagonal joint lines. Listed below are reviews of the latest barrel releases.

Aber 35 L-21 German 50 mm KwK 39/1 L/60 (for 234/2 Puma)

This barrel is designed to improve the Italeri 234/2 Puma kit and as described above comes with a delicately turned barrel with four separately turned brass components that make up the muzzle break assembly. The finesse of the turned brass has to seen to be believed - even holes for the muzzle break screws on the mounting collar. Along with these items there is also a small etching brass sheet, which provides the slotted rings that fit on the inside and on the outer face of the muzzle break. The components will require no cleaning up and fit without modifications to the kit's mantlet.

Aber 35 L-19 German 75 mm PaK 40 (early model)

This barrel set follows very closely the above Puma set, again having an exquisitely turned barrel featuring turned brass muzzle break components with the distinct winged sides of the early pattern muzzle. There are four turned brass pieces to the muzzle break and a turned brass ring that slips over the barrel to form the jointing collar where the barrel mates to the breech block. In addition to the slotted rings, as provided with the Puma set, Aber also provide on the etch brass sheet all the parts needed to construct the barrel slide mounting, even down to the securing bolts. This barrel set will vastly improve both the Tamiya and Italeri Pak 40 gun kits and also any of the Pak 40 armed open to vehicle kits from Italeri.

Aber 35 L22 German 128 mm PaK 44 (80) L/55 (for Sd.Kfz.186 Jagdtiger)

This barrel at first sight appears quite plain given the turned brass items included in the two previously reviewed barrel kits. It has the same level of expert turning as do all of the Aber barrels but what sets this one aside is it features extremely fine rifling cut into the muzzle of the gun. This is a detail which would be clearly seen given the size of the barrel's muzzle and until now would only be possible to add by using a etch brass rolled sheet (not the easiest job in the world). The barrel is designed to fit the Revel and Dragon Jagdtigers (really the same kit) with very little modification and will no doubt enhance the kit.

In conclusion, these are excellent A.F.V. add on and replacement parts that will enhance any kit they are used on