https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/198815#1663487
As a result of building the Live Resin set, I became curious as to what the MK. 19 GMG’s looked like from some of the other manufacturers in my stash. So, I decided to build a MK. 19 GMG from Academy (M998 IED Humvee kit), Bronco (M1114 Armament Carrier), and Tamiya (M1025 Armament Carrier).
I don’t know much about the MK. 19 Grenade Machine Gun but one difference that I’ve noted amongst the manufacturers is two different styles of flash suppressors. There is an ‘angled’ version that is bulbous in shape at the muzzle and then narrows toward the tip of the barrel. There is another version of the flash suppressor that is straight along its entire length. You see the 1st version represented in the Academy, Live Resin and Tamiya kits. The Bronco kit MK. 19 has the straight flash suppressor.
I’m not going into the history or technical aspects of the MK. 19 GMG here. I’m just trying to give you the model builder an idea of what each manufacturers version of the MK. 19 looks like.
I will point out some things that I think are issues with specific assemblies. Here is a part count for each MK. 19 assembly/set:
Academy- 10 parts not including the Gunner Shield and M6 pedestal mount included in the
M998 HMMWV IED kit.
Bronco- 15 parts. I did not use the mount for the Gunner Shield Kit or the Gunner Shield.
Live Resin- Roughly 22 parts
Tamiya- 7 parts
When I assembled these weapon systems, I did not clean them up much. They are probably 90% of their original condition off the parts sprues. I wanted to the model builders to see what they were getting right out of the box without it being dressed up and pretty.
We will start off at the front of the grenade machine guns….
In this front profile you see the front detail of the mounts. Live Resin and Tamiya have done the best job in my opinion with the weapon mounts. Also, notice the different orientation of the ammo can holders.
Academy Front
The big problem with the Academy MK. 19 is that the ammo can holder does not mate correctly with the weapon. Academy depended on the ammo belt to secure the ammo can to the weapon instead of having the angled surface of the can holder connect to the weapon mount.
Bronco Front
Live Resin Front
Since doing this photo comparison was a follow-up thought to building this Live Resin MK. 19, you will be unable to see the detail of the assembly from the front.
Tamiya Front
Right side of the MK 19 Grenade Machine Guns.
Academy Right Side
Bronco Right Side
Live Resin Right Side
Tamiya Right Side
Rear of the MK 19 Grenade Machine Guns
Rear side detail is where the Live Resin grenade machine gun really stands out. The other three manufacturers did not really provide any rear detail to their weapons.
Academy Rear Side
Bronco Rear Side
Live Resin Rear Side
There is a lot of detail to be seen on the rear of the Live Resin MK. 19. Very well done.
Tamiya Rear Side
Left Side of the MK 19 Grenade Machine Guns
The big glaring differences between manufacturers weapons on the left side is with the detail on the end of their ammunition cans. Tamiya did not put any detail on the outside end of their ammo can. Bronco and Academy have lightly cast, inaccurate detail. Live Resin, has well defined, accurate detail.
Academy Left Side
Bronco Left Side
Live Resin Left Side
Tamiya Left Side
Top Side of the MK 19 Grenade Machine Guns
The big detail that stands out in the ‘top’ views is the visual effect created by the ammo belts for the weapon. Each manufacturer used different dimensions for the rounds on the ammo belts. Overall, I like the detail and scale of the Live Resin ammo belts. I want to give recognition to Bronco for actually representing two layers ammo belts in their ammo/can assembly.
Academy Top Side
Bronco Top Side
Live Resin Top Side
Tamiya Top Side
Bottom Side of the MK 19 Grenade Machine Guns
The bottom side of the weapons were not really detailed at all by Academy, Bronco or Tamiya. Live Resin has not left any detail out in all aspects of their product development and casting.
Academy Bottom Side
Bronco Bottom Side
Live Resin Bottom Side
Tamiya Bottom Side
Overall, its hard to compare the weapons to each other in way. I say that as a result of each weapon coming from a totally different cost perspective. Of the four kits I used, the US dollar value breaks down as such:
Academy M998 IED HMMWV kit- Roughly $20.00
Bronco M1114 HMMWV kit- $50.00
Tamiya M1025 HMMWV kit- $35.00
Live Resin LRE 35076 kit- $19.00 for the weapon/shield kit only
Manufacturers must spread their development dollars across the entire kit design so it limits how much detail they can put into each area of the kit. If their development costs go too high, their retail costs is too high and retail sales suffer.
If you look at the weapons only, the Live Resin MK. 19 beats all of the others hands down. Keep in mind that the Live Resin product is focused solely on the weapon system, thus it is going to be a better product. In my personal opinion after considering part detail, assembly, and fit, I rank the four weapons in this order….again, this is just my personal opinion:
1. Live Resin
2. Bronco
3. Tamiya
4. Academy
Crew served weapons on wheeled fighting vehicles are usually the focal point of the model unless there is visible interior. Even then, the interior is only a partial distractor. The eyes always seem to drift back to the visible weapon system and its detail…or lack there of. If you’re a model builder on a budget or you just don’t want to spend the extra money, you can build a good representation of the MK. 19 Grenade Machine Gun with the weapons provided in the represented kits. Some aftermarket photo-etch sets even include pe parts to detail the MK. 19’s that come in the model kits and they dress the weapon up very well. But, if you want to take your crew served weapon system representation the next level and make it really stand out, I highly recommend investing in one of the many Live Resin sets available.
I apologize for the inconsistent photo quality(I working on this) and lack of additional detailed narrative but I’ve been very short on hobby time. I hope you have found this useful.
