1/72 USN Single 40mm Bofors

1/72 USN Single 40mm Bofors: The Silent Service's Surface Punch

Bolster the surface-running capabilities of your WWII fleet with the meticulously engineered 1/72 Scale USN Single 40mm Bofors. While most famously known as a "kamikaze killer" on destroyers and carriers, the single-mount Bofors became a vital upgrade for US Navy submarines in the Pacific. Mounted on the cigarette deck or the main deck during late-war refits, this weapon provided Gato, Balao, and Tench-class boats with the rapid-fire punch needed to shred Japanese escort vessels and low-flying aircraft. At this substantial 1/72 scale, this replica captures the rugged mechanical soul of the Bofors with museum-grade precision.

Engineering Precision & Tactical Fidelity

High-Fidelity "Sub-Mount" Detail: In 1/72 scale, the mechanical nuances of the Bofors—the weapon often called the best anti-aircraft gun of WWII—are on full display. This model captures the single-mount architecture with exquisite fidelity, featuring the iconic flash hider, the cooling ribs on the barrel, and the specialized sights used by submarine crews during surface actions. Every line is rendered with architectural sharpness, reflecting the high-stakes engineering of the US Navy’s Bureau of Ordnance.

Historically Accurate USN Configuration: Meticulously researched from original WWII technical manuals to ensure a seamless, flush fit with your 1/72 scale submarine deck.

• Intricate Breech & Feed Detail: Captures the complex rear-loading mechanism where the 4-round clips were fed into the weapon for 1/72 scale realism.
• Specialized Submarine Mount: Faithfully reproduces the compact, circular mounting platform designed to withstand the harsh salt-spray and pressure of repeated submersions.
• Hollowed Engineering: Expertly designed to optimize material usage—significantly reducing top-side weight to maintain your model's stability—without sacrificing the robust, forged-steel appearance.

Premium Material: High Detail Resin (Grey/White)

To ensure your submarine’s deck armament showcases the finest industrial textures, this gun is crafted from professional High Detail Resin, offering the ultimate surface for discerning shipwrights:

• Exceptional Feature Definition: The resin captures minute details—from the structural rivets on the gun shield to the delicate elevation and training wheels—with surgical precision.
• Professional Smooth Finish: Provides an ultra-smooth, non-porous base optimized for high-quality primers and specialized Measure 32 or Dull Black submarine palettes.
• Dimensional Stability: Ensures that the long, powerful barrel remains perfectly straight and true for a flawless silhouette on your conning tower.

Key Features & Specifications

• Accurate 1/72 Scale: Precision-scaled for a massive and historically proportional presence on 1/72 scale Gato or Balao class kits.
• Museum-Grade Detail: Captures the unique industrial aesthetic of WWII Pacific theater weaponry with architectural clarity.
• Unpainted Finish: Provides a blank canvas for your artistic vision. Recreate the factory-fresh Ocean Gray or the salt-crusted, sun-bleached look of a boat returning from a long patrol in the South China Sea.
• Easy Integration: Specifically designed for a seamless, centered fit on conning tower platforms or main deck mountings.

A Canvas for Naval Artistry

Unpainted for Total Customization: Arriving in its raw resin finish, the Single 40mm Bofors serves as the ultimate starting point for advanced weathering:

• The "Lifeguard League" Look: Apply a base of Navy Blue or Dull Black. The high-relief detail is ideal for pin-washes, allowing dark oils to define the individual gun mechanisms and highlighting the Bofors' mechanical complexity.
• Realistic Weathering: The 1/72 scale is the ideal playground for detailing. Apply subtle metallic "polishing" to the breech block and light rust-streaking around the base to achieve high levels of authenticity and realism.

Upgrade your submarine model with this impressive and historically accurate 1/72 USN Single 40mm Bofors.