US Navy 40mm Quadruple Bofors

Plastic model kit for building a Bofors 40mm quadruple anti-aircraft gun of the U.S. Navy

• Scale 1:35
• gun barrels made of aluminium
• unbuilt, unpainted
• Paint and glue not included

The U.S. Navy's 40 mm quadruple Bofors was a four-barreled anti-aircraft gun used on numerous U.S. warships during World War II. Based on the proven Swedish 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun, it was considered one of the most effective medium-range anti-aircraft weapons of its time. The combination of four guns in a single mount allowed for a very high rate of fire, significantly facilitating the engagement of enemy aircraft.

Operation was carried out by a crew of several men who aimed the gun, fed the ammunition, and monitored the fire control system. Later versions were often coupled with radar- or computer-aided fire control systems, which significantly increased the probability of hitting fast-moving aerial targets. The 40 mm shells possessed sufficient range and penetration to effectively engage aircraft even at medium ranges.

The quadruple Bofors gun mounts were installed on battleships, aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, and numerous other ship types. They played a particularly important role in the Pacific War, defending against Japanese air attacks and later against kamikaze attacks. Their high reliability, effective firepower, and large number of available guns made them an essential component of American naval anti-aircraft defense.

The 40 mm Bofors complemented the heavier anti-aircraft guns of large warships and bridged the gap between long-range heavy anti-aircraft guns and light, close-range weapons. As a result, it contributed significantly to the defense of American fleets and became one of the best-known and most successful naval anti-aircraft weapons of World War II.