1/192 French 37mm/70 (1.46") AA Gun Model 1935 x6

1/192 French Navy 37mm/70 (1.46") AA Gun Model 1935 x6. Modelled from plans and using known dimensions to create a highly detailed version of this gun that never made it into widespread service. These were to be used on the Battleship Alsace and other proposed French vessels. Was prototyped on the French sloop Amiens.

Details include:

• 6x Mountings
• Barrels are printed separately and can be angled upto their maximum 85º
• Accurate Rivet and Hex nut placement
• Sighting Port Hatches, Spent Shell and Access Hatches

Historical Data:Recognizing that the semi-automatic 37 mm Model 1933 AA gun was not an effective weapon, the French started work on a much improved fully automatic 37 mm gun which was designed by the Artillerie Navale at Ruelle. However, this weapon did not finish development before the French surrender in 1940. One of the few prototypes was mounted on the old Patrol Sloop Amiens and was apparently successfully used during the Dunkirk evacuation.

Each gun had a pusher hoist for the six-round magazines. A remote director with a 2-meter rangefinder was used for RPC together with Sautter-Harlé electric servo-motors. However, the guns were controlled only in train, elevation was still manually operated. For some ships, including the battleship Richelieu, it was planned that each director would control two twin mounts.

A note on sources: In "Naval Weapons of World War Two" this gun is described as being 48 calibers long. Official Artillerie Navale documents show that the gun was 70 calibers long.

There was one further 37 mm gun that was under consideration at the time the war started, the 37 mm zénithaux (zenith). This was a Hotchkiss design for a quadruple mounting intended for use against dive bombers. This mounting was unusual in that its platform was tilted at an angle to facilitate high-angle firing and as a result the guns could not depress past +45 degrees. The mounting would have been countersunk in the deck and loaded from beneath, similar in concept to the British BD (Between Deck) designs. The surrender of France in 1940 halted development and this weapon never made it off the drawing board.

Unless otherwise noted, the data that follows is for the 37 mm Model 1935.

Cleaning Information
Some part cleanup will be necessary. The 3D printing process uses a waxy substance to support certain part features during the printing process. Although the parts are cleaned by Shapeways, some waxy residue may remain.  It can be safely removed with water and a mild aqueous detergent like "Simple Green" using an old, soft toothbrush, Q-tips or pipe cleaners. During the printing process, liquid resin is cured by ultraviolet light. Microscopic bits of resin may remain uncured.

Let your parts sit in direct sunlight for a few hours to fully cure the resin.  
Water-based acrylic paints meant for plastics is strongly recommended. Other paints, especially enamels, may not cure on Frosted Detail 3D-printed plastics.
Use dedicated model sprue cutters to remove parts to minimise the risk of damage to parts.
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