Introduction

Legends Productions new detailing set for the Academy Magach 7C.
The Magach 7C is the last version of the M60 that the IDF used. It looks completely different to a stock M60, with the armoured slabs on the turret side and front, large rear basket and deep side skirts along its flanks.

Contents

The contents are supplied in a small box that we have come to see Legends Productions use. This type of box holds up very well through the postage system. There are two ziplock bags in the box, one holding the resin parts, and the other with the 3 PE frets and some string and wire. There is one large and one small double sided instruction sheets.

Review

Turret
I will start with the area that most modellers may struggle with, the photo etch for the rear basket. You have to cut the perforated floor of the basket away, just leaving the round bar. It will need great care when removing this, but the end product looks just like the real thing. They also give you small photo etch grab handles that go along the top of the basket. There are several photo etch items to add onto the rear of the turret inside the basket, consisting of searchlight holder, jerry can holders and a support for I think the camouflage net, but I am not 100% sure of this.


Other items on the turret consist of photo etch ammo can holders with the resin 7.62mm ammo cans, a couple of photo etch crew personal weapon holders that are in several pieces, various photo etch pieces to detail the two hatches, resin 60mm mortar and its base mount, resin fire extinguishers and a spring base for the antenna mount. The final items for the turret are the two fn-mags (7.62mm GPMG’s) and the 50cal heavy machine-gun that goes over the main gun. The FN’s are far better than the kit ones, and come with the gun, ammo box, small search light and light holder and the photo etch u-bend to hold it to the base mount. There is a resin swing arm mount for the loaders gun and a small resin pieces to add to the commanders gun mount. One FN has a stock which is for the loaders mount, and the other FN which has no stock is for the Commanders mount. I have photo evidence of Magach 7C’s with both FN’s with stock and no stock, so you can mix and match. One of the FN’s in this set has a very slightly warped barrel. Although that can easily be taken care of with the heat from your fingers, I know as I have had to do this with a couple before. The 50cal comes in several resin parts. It also has a very nice set of photo etch and resin pieces that make up the device for the remote control firing of the weapon. The ammo box and ammo can come in one resin piece which is perfect.


Legends Productions give you new resin smoke pots for the side of the turret, along with a small photo etch step up and support for the towing cable ends. There are several of these supports that go around the lower part of the turret basket as well. Resin tow cable ends and some string for the cable are also supplied.

Hull
The hull is where the most work is needed and Legends Productions have not let us down. I’ll start from the rear, where you are given a new set of engine doors with photo etch slats. Many modellers will dread the thought of attaching these. They look easier than I first thought as there is a ledge to fit them to. New square armoured light boxes are supplied with the lights inside, as well as lower hull towing hooks. There are two photo etch side mud guards supplied as well.


The track fenders are not left out as you are given photo etch and resin fender supports, photo etch stretcher supports along with a beautiful resin stretcher, resin front rubber mud guards, resin rear telephone box and large oil can box are also supplied. There are several small rain pieces to replace the movable joints that hold the slatted engine deck doors to the hull sides. The hull glacial plate has photo etch pieces for the light clusters and three resin periscopes.

Conclusion

This is another great set from Legends Productions. I really had hoped for new side skirts, as the kit ones are wrong and the detail in not strong enough, especially the rivets on the two front side skirt sections. Maybe we will see some in the near future. If you are thinking about buying the Academy Magach 7c, then this is a very worth while purchase to enhance the kit by a long way.
Dessert Eagles Magach 7C book will be a good purchase as well to help with the building of this model.