Tamiya 12688 - 1:35 Hummel Metal Gun Barrel

Turned metal 15 cm howitzer barrel for the Hummel model (Tamiya 35367) in 1:35 scale

Tamiya 12688 is a metal barrel replacing the plastic moulding on the Tamiya 1:35 model of the German Hummel heavy self-propelled gun, late production (Sd.Kfz. 165, kit 35367). The box contains one 15 cm howitzer barrel turned from aluminium, 111 mm long, with reproduced rifling at the muzzle.

The swap solves a specific problem: in the base kit the barrel comes in two halves, so after gluing there is a seam running the full length of the tube that has to be sanded away without flattening its round section. The metal replacement eliminates the parting line altogether. The base model is sold separately - this box contains the barrel only.

What's in the box:

• One turned aluminium 15 cm howitzer barrel (111 mm long) with muzzle rifling

Specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Product number: 12688
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Dedicated model: Tamiya Hummel, late production (Sd.Kfz. 165) (35367)
• Type: metal gun barrel
• Material: turned aluminium
• Barrel length: 111 mm

Turned metal barrels - a quick upgrade

A lathe-turned barrel has a perfectly round cross-section and no mould parting line. On a two-part plastic barrel the seam has to be sanded along its entire length, which easily flattens the tube or damages the surrounding detail. The metal barrel comes with a hollowed muzzle, so no drilling is needed, and the muzzle rifling comes out crisper than injection moulding allows.

Metal needs different preparation than plastic: before painting we suggest degreasing the surface and using a primer intended for metal, which gives the paint a proper key. Cyanoacrylate glue works well for joining the barrel to the plastic parts of the model.

About the vehicle - Hummel:

The Hummel was a German heavy self-propelled gun built on the Geschutzwagen III/IV chassis, which combined elements of the Panzer III and Panzer IV. Its open fighting compartment housed a 15 cm sFH 18 howitzer.

Production began in 1943 and the vehicles were issued to armoured artillery units, where they provided indirect fire support for the panzer divisions. This allowed the artillery to keep pace with fast-moving armoured thrusts in a way towed guns never could.

Original vehicle specifications (Hummel):

• Type: heavy self-propelled gun
• Chassis: Geschutzwagen III/IV
• Armament: 15 cm sFH 18 howitzer
• Production from: 1943
• Role: indirect fire support for panzer divisions

About the manufacturer - Tamiya:

Tamiya is a Japanese company based in Shizuoka, active in the modelling industry since 1946. Alongside its plastic kits it offers detail-up accessories for its own models: turned metal barrels, photo-etched frets, detail sets and display stands. These accessories are designed for specific Tamiya kit numbers, so they fit without modification. The range is completed by Tamiya paints, glues and modelling tools.