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Review
Legend: Dragon M50 .50 Cal HMG
CMOT
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ARMORAMA
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Posted: Sunday, June 02, 2019 - 04:05 AM UTC


Darren Baker takes a look at one of the Legend Productions 3D mastered releases in the form of a Dragon M50 .50 Cal HMG Body Replacement Set in 1/35th scale.

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
HeavyArty
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Posted: Monday, June 03, 2019 - 03:35 AM UTC
Looks good, but the name is wrong.

Don't know where Legend got the nomenclature from. It is an M2 .50 cal MG, not an M-50. No idea what an M-50 is, but it is not a US MG.


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Posted: Monday, June 03, 2019 - 04:31 AM UTC
Gino: As I understand it it is a newish lighter version of the M2, but I have not seen anything about it being accepted into service. That is why I was curious what the membership had to say about it
Littorio
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Posted: Monday, June 03, 2019 - 04:43 AM UTC
No expert but from what I understand the lightweight version as used on US helicopters is the M3
18Bravo
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Posted: Monday, June 03, 2019 - 04:56 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Looks good, but the name is wrong.

Don't know where Legend got the nomenclature from. It is an M2 .50 cal MG, not an M-50. No idea what an M-50 is, but it is not a US MG.




That is indeed the nomenclature given by the company that produces it. While based on the M2 design, it's got too many changes to still be considered an M2. It's also known as the M3D.
Tank1812
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Posted: Monday, June 03, 2019 - 05:00 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Looks good, but the name is wrong.

Don't know where Legend got the nomenclature from. It is an M2 .50 cal MG, not an M-50. No idea what an M-50 is, but it is not a US MG.




That is indeed the nomenclature given by the company that produces it. While based on the M2 design, it's got too many changes to still be considered an M2. It's also known as the M3D.


What he said...http://centralwisconsinarmory.com/content.cfm?PageID=1
HeavyArty
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Posted: Monday, June 03, 2019 - 05:26 AM UTC
Thats a new one for me. What will it be called if/when the US military accepts it?
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Posted: Monday, June 03, 2019 - 05:28 AM UTC
So is it correct that this weapon has not been accepted into service with possibly the exception of helicopter mounted weapons?
Trisaw
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Posted: Monday, June 03, 2019 - 11:24 AM UTC
Isn't the M3 used on the Avenger Stinger turret, or is that a different M3? The M3 is supposed to be lighter weight and have a faster firing rate than the M2HB.
Taeuss
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Posted: Monday, June 03, 2019 - 11:45 AM UTC
I agree with you Darren: it's kind of critical that we as modellers and history buffs know something about the pretty new offerings before we make use of them. Sounds like the Dragon variant of Ma Deuce is still in trials pending evaluations and tentative possible acceptance. The Defense budget more than the effectiveness of the weapons system is actually the big concern here.
HeavyArty
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Posted: Monday, June 03, 2019 - 12:52 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Isn't the M3 used on the Avenger Stinger turret, or is that a different M3? The M3 is supposed to be lighter weight and have a faster firing rate than the M2HB.


This is not the same gun. The M3 is the aircraft version of the M2 with a lighter barrel that has an air-cooled (perforated) sleeve. The M3 has also been in use since WWII on aircraft.

"The M3-series is used by the U.S. military in two versions; the M3M and M3P. The fixed, remote-firing version, the FN M3P, is employed on the Avenger Air Defense System, and was used on the OH-58D...The M3M flexible machine gun has been adopted by USN under the designation GAU-21/A for use on helicopters. The GAU-21/A is also being used by the USMC to upgrade from the XM-218/GAU-16 .50 cal. machine gun for the CH-53E, on the UH-1Y Venom, and on the Canadian Forces' CH-146 Griffon via the INGRESS upgrade"

M3P .50 cal. fixed, remote fire


M3M .50 Cal flex mount, GAU-21
CMOT
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Posted: Tuesday, June 04, 2019 - 01:12 AM UTC
Thank you for the information and images Gino. I am now wondering if this weapon is used by anyone in any form. I do know that information on it is very hard to find beyond what looks like trials and promotional information.
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Posted: Wednesday, June 05, 2019 - 12:48 AM UTC
I'm not a fan of new Legend products... They now became "Live Resin v2.0"...

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Posted: Wednesday, June 05, 2019 - 05:57 AM UTC
I am aware that there are other sources for these items and the one you have mentioned has been in the business of providing this sort of item for longer. I myself I seeing competition as it keeps the prices down and availability better.
Vodnik
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Posted: Wednesday, June 05, 2019 - 07:16 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I am aware that there are other sources for these items and the one you have mentioned has been in the business of providing this sort of item for longer. I myself I seeing competition as it keeps the prices down and availability better.

As far as I know the designer who worked for Live Resin now works for Legend, so it's not just a matter of competition - these new products are most likely based on these same source CAD files...

Anyway, I don't mind such competition, but in my opinion the Legend portfolio has changed... In the past they released a lot of excellent conversions, update and accessory sets for armor models. Now they mostly release weapon sets - most, if not all, of which were already available earlier from LR...
Maki
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Posted: Wednesday, June 05, 2019 - 07:51 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Anyway, I don't mind such competition, but in my opinion the Legend portfolio has changed... In the past they released a lot of excellent conversions, update and accessory sets for armor models. Now they mostly release weapon sets - most, if not all, of which were already available earlier from LR...


I agree. Writing the news on Legend products for the site I noticed a dramatic change in the company scope. While I think it is great that another company is doing 3D stuff, I really miss Legend's larger conversions and upgrades.

Don't get me wrong, I love Peter Samofalov's 3D work and hope for some of his more extensive releases appearing under Legend label. I just think there is still room for traditionally sculpted stuff in company's portfolio as well.

Mario
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Posted: Wednesday, June 05, 2019 - 09:30 PM UTC
Yes I also miss the mix of conversion and upgrade sets.
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