Introduction

Legend Productions has dipped their toes and now jumped in when it comes to 1/35th scale weapons systems. These small arms offerings are 3D scanned and then cast in resin in order to provide highly accurate representations for the modeller to satisfy their need for accurate and well detailed elements on their models or with their figures. The item from Legend Productions is of the M2A1 QCB Browning .50 Cal HMG on M3 Tripod.

The following portion of the introduction is from the General Dynamics website:

M2A1 .50 caliber (12.7mm)
Heavy Machine Gun
Highly Accurate and Effective Heavy Machine Gun
The M2HB .50 caliber (12.7mm) Heavy Machine Gun is a beltfed, recoil operated, air-cooled, crew-served weapon capable of right or left-hand feed. The weapon’s lethality, durability and versatility make it ideal for offensive and defensive operations. The M2A1 offers the proven performance and in-place logistics support of the existing M2HB machine gun, along with the new features and design improvements of the quick change barrel (QCB) system and flash hider. These upgrades increase the performance of the battle-proven M2 ad are adaptable to existing M2HB weapons. The M2A1 fires a variety of NATO .50 Caliber ammunition to include: ball, tracer, armor-piercing, incendiary, and saboted light armor penetrator. The M2A1 will deliver lethal effects against multiple target types. The maximum effective range of the M2A1 is 1,830 meters for area targets and 1,500 meters for point targets.

Review

This offering from Legend Productions is packaged in one of the end opening card boxes; in my case this is further protected by a stiff plastic that is shrink wrapped on the box making it stiff and improving its strength overall. Inside is a single sheet of glossy paper that covers construction of the elements of this model. Lastly there is a Ziploc bag containing the resin parts and a length of fine wire.

Looking at the resin castings leave me with a very positive opinion of the product in that respect as all elements look to be fully cast and have the crisp detail present that resin offers. The only complaint that it is possible to make as far as the casting goes is that there is a lot of clean up required as Legend Productions has used a spiders web of vents to ensure full casting of the parts.

The machine gun and the parts attached to it will result in a very nice looking element, but I would have liked to see the end of the barrel with at least a recess to make drilling the muzzle easier for the modeller. The mounting frame is nicely detailed which while a small part is an important one. The cocking handle and handle for changing the barrel are very nicely represented in this release.

The ammunition box supplied with this release is one that I was unable to locate images of; it appears to open at both ends and beyond my ability to find, but I expect someone on the site will quickly point us in the right direction. Legend Productions has supplied a short shaped length ammunition belt that feeds into the gun and a number of loose rounds with belt clips that need to be added to the other end of the ammunition box. The rounds look very good but I would have liked Legend Productions to have supplied some spent rounds in the set.

The sighting device provided with this release is a monster that I was again unable to identify or find images of it attached to this weapons system. On a more positive not the sight mounting bracket is very well done and looks a perfect match for the real item.

The tripod has been very well done replicating all aspects of the tripod in miniature. The front leg could be folded in a stored position should you want to show a weapon in its various parts during transport. I will say that I would have liked the rear legs to have been cast as a single piece, but that is not the end of the world. The adjuster for setting the height of the weapon has been well replicated and is one of the aspects of resin kits that look so much better than injection moulded plastic.

The text below and the image of the rounds are from the Northrop Grumman Website and I have included it is order that the modeller can see what differences they would like to represent:
M33 Ball
The M33 has a 660 grain projectile with no tip identification. The cartridge has a soft steel-core bullet and is mainly used for engaging soft targets or training.
M17 Tracer
The M17 has a 618 grain projectile with brown tip identification. This cartridge has a pyrotechnic charge which permits observation of the round's trajectory from 91m to 1460m. The M17 is effective against soft targets and is frequently linked for use in automatic weapons.
M8 Armor Piercing Incendiary (API)
The M8 has a 662 grain projectile with gray tip identification. The projectile has an armor piercing hardened steel core, a point filler of incendiary composition and a lead-antimony base seal. The cartridge can perforate armor plate 2.2cm thick at 91m. This cartridge is used to engage armored targets.
M20 Armor Piercing Incendiary Tracer (API-T)
The M20 has a 619 grain projectile with gray and red tip identification. The projectile has an armor piercing hardened steel core, a point filler of incendiary composition and a pyrotechnic charge which permits observation of the round's trajectory from 91m to 1460m. This cartridge can perforate armor plate 2.2cm thick at 91m and is used to engage armored targets.
MK257 Armor Piercing Incendiary Dim Tracer (API-DT)
The MK257 has a 619 grain projectile and gray/lavender tip identification. The projectile has an armor piercing hardened steel core, a point filler of incendiary composition and a pyrotechnic charge which permits observation of the round's trajectory from 91m to 1460m. The MK257 can perforate armor plate 2.2cm thick at 91m and is used to engage armored targets. This cartridge reduces the possibility of locating the weapon when paired with night vision devices.
MK263 Armor Piercing (AP)
The MK263 has a750 grain projectile and black tip identification. This projectile is armor piercing with a specialized hardened core and can perforate multiple armor plate arrays at 365m, 732m and 1097m.This cartridge is used to engage armored targets.
MK211 Armor Piercing Incendiary (API) Mod 0 & Mod 1
The MK211 has green/gray bullet tip identification. The projectile has an armor piercing hardened steel core, a point filler of incendiary composition and an energetic composition. The MK211 can perforate armor plate 2.2cm thick at 91m. This cartridge is used to engage armored targets.
M1A1 Blank
The M1A1 has purple lacquer on the rosette crimp. This cartridge is used to simulate firing in training exercises when equipped with blank firing attachments. The cartridge works with the M2, HB, Flex Weapon and Turret Type Weapon with the M19 Blank Firing Attachment.
M2A1 Dummy (Inert)
The M2A1 is an inert cartridge with a 660 grain projectile identified by nickel plating and a fluted case. This round will freely cycle and eject easily making it a great training tool.

Conclusion

This is another great addition to the range of weapons being released by Legend Productions. I only have one complaint and one observation: the muzzle of the barrel would have benefit from a guide for the modeller to drill the muzzle and clean up of parts. My wish list for this item is some spent rounds, but in all other respects I like what is being offered.