1/350 Richelieu 152 mm/55 (6") Model 1930 Guns

1/350 Scale Richelieu 152 mm/55 (6") Model 1930 Guns as seen when launched. These are incredibly highly detailed parts modelled using dimensions from the ship builders plans as well as many photographs to make these the most accurate and detailed Richelieu turrets available. These parts are NOT lifted from computer game models like some other Shop Owners parts. Check to see which sellers show separate renders of their items not just the Shapeways default render. Also available Mid War versions with AA Platforms. If building the Trumpeter 1/350 kit then you will also need the 1/350 Trumpeter adapter for these guns (this is printed in WSF material to keep cost down):

Details include:

• 3x Mountings with 9 separate barrels and can be angles as desired
• accurate Rivet and Hex nut placement
• Rangefinders printed separately to keep roof of Turret Smooth, 2 different types of Rangefinder:
  2x for Port and Starboard Turrets and 1x for Amidships Turret
• Rangefinder ans Sighting Hatches, Blast Bag Hood Fasteners, accurate Venting and
  Access Hatches

The first French cruiser guns to use cased ammunition, these were introduced as SP guns on light cruisers and proved to be quite successful in that role. However, the DP version built for the Richelieu class battleships was too ambitious for its time and was generally conceded to be a failure, with some of the mountings being replaced by smaller AA weapons.

The guns were in individual cradles, with training and elevation supplied by electric motor with hydraulic drive and RPC.

The DP mountings for the battleships were designed to load at any angle and were provided with triple-hoist systems, one for surface projectiles,one for AA and one for cartridges, so that the weapons could quickly convert between the different shell types. Unfortunately, this system proved to be a source of jamming and the ROF figure, low as it was, could not be maintained. The low train and elevation rates of these mountings meant that they could not track fast-moving aircraft targets, further degrading their usefulness in the AA role. In 1939, it was decided to replace some of Richelieu's DP mounts with 100 mm (3.9") guns in order to improve her mid-range AA capability.

These guns were built with autofretted jacket, breech ring and loose barrel and used a vertical sliding block.

During the war guns of monobloc construction were manufactured in Canada to rearm cruisers and three of these were used post-war on Richelieu in Turret VII. The six remaining guns in her Turrets V and VI were relined at Ruelle.

Actual bore size was 15.24 cm (6.0").

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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