Well I need a bit help with this one. I got the RB models barrel but didn't like it so I'm going with the kit part for my Zvezda T-90. The question I have is about alignment.
The barrel end has a flat spot (figured for some kind of a bore collimator device) but if you align that to the turret axis then those rib thingies are off center.

Now I have found some pics (although probably not the same barrel) with those ribs off center as well as dead center with the axis so I want to know what is right or it's what Russian tank crews feel that works-goes

Any thoughts on this one?



second barrel in line

Well, this is only a guess, but ...

If you look at those two pictures together you can see three conditions. The top one has the rib on the inner end to the right and, presumably, the one on the outer end to the left. Of the two in the bottom picture, the nearer one has the inner rib slightly to the right and the outer rib nearly on top. The further one has them both to the left, and just about aligned.

I'm fairly sure these ribs are where the thermal sleeve sections close up. I'd be surprised if they had to be aligned a particular way to be effective. As you have evidence that three tanks can have three configurations, and it's hard to say that one is "right" and the other two wrong, I'd say you shouldn't worry.

Hi Mario

Nice catch. They are off-centered.

Over at ML this was pointed as a mistake and resultant discussions cleared thing out.
I was looking for references and found this..




Have a Great Day
Mukund

Is a thermal sleeve, the rib is for the bolts. It doesn't matter where you put it, but most of the time it's off centered and on the right side

You can find many other pics here

http://army.lv/ru/t-90/foto/631/12/1

cheers

Yes Mauro. You'a right. As always.

Thanks guys for confirming this. I've been looking around a bit and also found a couple nice pics of the various positions of the ribs.

Mainly right side positioning though:

No, I sometime make some HUGE mistakes!

Anyway Thanks a lot Olegas