Salutations,

I was rummaging through the stash looking for something to start so I can add to my bookcase of procrastination and dug up the Italeri Crusader III in 1/35. I thought maybe it could use a nice after market barrel since the kit one was a split affair. I found that RB Models offers two 6 pdr barrels but I am not sure which one to use. I made the attempt to google (even bing) to find my answer but alas I was not successful so I decided to post my question here.

The two options for a 6 pdr barrel for Crusader III on RB Model's site are:

57mm OQF 6 Pdr Mk.III L/36.5
for tanks: Crusader Mk.III, Cromwell Mk.I
Churchill Mk.III, Churchill Mk.IV
and
57mm OQF 6 Pdr Mk.V L/50
for tanks: Crusader Mk.III, Cromwell Mk.I
Churchill Mk.III, Churchill Mk.IV

Hopefully someone will have an answer for me. If not, I will just flip a coin.

Thanks in advance and as usual double cheers

Robbie,
The answer depends on what Crusader Mk III you intend to build. The L/36.5 is very common on the Crusaders used in North Africa as can be seen in many pictures which show it's smaller diameter muzzle counterweights.

The L 50 has counterweights of larger diameter and is readily visible if fitted as the shape of the muzzle is much bulkier.

As always, I'd advise you to pick your subject, and match the barrel purchase to that. Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Paul H

Thanks for the reply. I do plan on doing a North Africa Crusader. As you mentioned it depend on the counter weight. Both RB Models barrels come with two counter weight styles. Now that you mention the it from the pics it looks like the L/50 has a larger size weight. I included a link to both options and at least now I have a better choice on which one to pick.

L/36.5
http://www.rbmodel.com/picture.php?dir=35B17

L/50
http://www.rbmodel.com/picture.php?dir=35B23

Cheers

The Italeri kit seems to include the shorter barrel OOB. I'd go with that just to be safe.