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 SAG Shield Mount (Window Version).

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.

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 sighting system provided with this release would appear to be an infra red system with a light source hung beneath the barrel on the correct mounting arm, the sight is mounted on the slide on the top rear of the MG, when positioning the sight remember to take into account the need to lift the breech cover for loading and misfires.

The ammunition box is nicely done but would benefit from some decals that would be present. The ammunition belts are well done and pre-shaped for use with the model. Legend Productions has also included 10 rounds individually with the connector rings in place; I would have preferred these to have been spent rounds or just the rounds connectors. The mount for attaching the ammunition box to the gun is an odd one to me as the angle of the ammunition box is unusual; I am also used to seeing elements like this in a skeletal form to reduce weight.

The armoured shield has been well tackled with very good detail present. The bracket that secures the shield to the weapon mount has been designed in such a way that you will achieve a positive location for it. The mounting frame itself is quite complex and is surprisingly a single piece. The elevation connecting point is a weak area of the model, not in terms of the detail but the strength of the area will make it an easy area to break. The swivel point of the mount has been well tackled and allows the modeller to easily swivel the MG to the angle they prefer. The locking elements of the mount are all present and add a very nice level of detail that is often missed or simplified in injection moulded offerings. A final nice touch here is the elevating screw that enables the weapon to fire on a set horizontal setting.

The text below and the image of the rounds are from the Northrop Grumman Website and I have included it in 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

I think this is a great little offering for modellers looking to lift the detail on many armoured vehicles. The detail is such that it should draw the eye of other modellers and will likely catch the eye of those who know no different. Assembly being guided by a photograph is a pain, but this example should be a fairly straight forward assembly. One area that is very nice is the sighting and lighting combination that I really like.