Introduction

A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope, is a sighting device based on an optical refracting telescope. They are equipped with some form of graphic image pattern (a reticle) mounted in an optically appropriate position in their optical system to give an accurate aiming point. Scopes are classified in terms of the optical magnification and the objective lens diameter, e.g. 10x50 which denotes 10 times magnification with a 50mm objective lens.

A reflex sight is a non-magnifying optical device that allows the user to look through a partially reflecting glass element and see an illuminated projection of an aiming point superimposed on the field of view. The most common reflector is a "red dot sight", a configuration with a compact mirror reflector design with a bright red LED illuminated dot at its focus. The US military noted reflex sights are suitable to use on the M16 back in the 1970s, however did not introduce first reflector sights until 2000.

Holographic weapon sight (HWS) is similar in layout to reflector sight but does not use a projected reticle system. Instead, a reticle is recorded in three-dimensional space onto holographic film at the time of manufacture. The viewer looking through the glass mirror sees an image of the reticle that stays in alignment with the device the sight is attached to regardless of their eye position, removing most of the parallax error found in simple sighting devices.
(Excerpts from Wikipedia)

Live Resin is a resin company from Russia, specialized in producing high quality weapon and accessory sets. This review covers their 1/35 scale US Army scope set 2 (LRE-35008).

Review

The US Army scope set 2 is packed in a zip-lock bag and safely secured between a firm cardboard (9X10cm). The box art on the front shows all the kit parts, while the one on the back lists correct designation of each scope and shows the weapon mounting procedure.

The kit consists of 4 resin casting blocks with 7 pieces each... 28 parts in total. The parts are molded in grey resin and again, as with all Live Resin offerings I reviewed so far, the cast is wonderful. Here is a list and some information on the scopes included in this set:

Trijicon ACOG sights are internally-adjustable, compact telescopic sights that use tritium illuminated reticles for target acquisition in all light conditions - even total darkness. Designed for use with M16 family, manufactured and tested to exceed military standards, the Trijicon ACOG model was chosen by U.S. Special Operations Command for all Special Forces Units. Both Trijicon ACOG 4x32 and Trijicon ACOG 3.5x35 are available with the popular Bindon Aiming Concept which is achieved using a unique combination of advanced fiber optics and self-luminous tritium. Using dual-illumination technology, originally developed for the military and proven in combat, the fiber optic light collector illuminates the aiming point automatically balancing the brightness with the shooting conditions. The tritium illuminates the aiming point even in total darkness. Trijicon ACOG 4x32 in this set is depicted with KillFlash anti-reflection device.

EOTech 552 is by far the most popular Holographic Weapon Sight (HWS) model from EOTech, Inc. Powered by AA batteries, the HWS employs a true Heads-Up Display that eliminates blind spots, constricted vision, or the tunnel vision associated with tubed optical sights. It mounts to any Picatinny or Weaver rail and is compatible with Gen I-IV Night Vision Systems (tandem operation).

EOTech 3x magnifier w Twist QD Mount provides extended range for the aiming device. Mounted to standard rail system behind the aiming scope, the magnifier offers split-second transitioning from close quarter to medium range targeting. Quick Detach (QD) mount provides a solid quick detach system for the magnifier.

ELCAN Specter (M145 Machine Gun Optics) with KillFlash is an optical 3.4x sight developed specifically for the US Army and is in wide service on M240 and M249 machine guns, but can also be used on M4 carbines with the special M4 reticle option. The M145 can be mounted on any Picatinny rail or receiver. This particular model is equipped with anti-reflection device (KillFlash) designed to eliminate potentially compromising reflections from the objective lens.

Sniper Night Sight (SNS) AN/PVS-10 8.5x Day/Night Weapon Sight is a lightweight, weapon-mounted, self-contained image-intensified passive device designed primarily for use by snipers for day and night operations. Along with the day/night lever which enables the user to alternate between day and night modes, the SNS employs a variable-gain image intensifier which can be adjusted by the user depending on the ambient light levels. Originally produced for M24 sniper rifle, it can be fitted to any rifle with Picatinny-style rails via rail-mounting interface integrated into the base of the sight. An eyepiece diopter adjustment is provided so the SNS can be used without corrective glasses.

The details on these scopes are astonishing. I tried taking photos which would show the set well, but I really feel the camera can't grasp all the tiny features in the resin... the knobs and buttons controlling the windage, magnification, illumination, parallax compensation... it is all there! I added the pictures of real scopes to the review; as far as I can tell, Live Resin 1/35 scopes are superbly delivered in scale. Combining this kit with other Live Resin US Army weapon accessories (AN/PEQ target designators, forward grips, Harris bipod/tactical weapon lights and even other scopes from US Army scope set 1), is going to give modelers everything they would ever need for customizing their modern US weapons.

Conclusion

This kit features 6 different rifle scopes commonly used by the US Army today: ACOG 4x32 with KillFlash, ACOG 3.5x35s, EOTech 552, EOTech 3x Magnifier, ELCAN Specter (M145 Machine Gun Optics) with KillFlash and SNS AN/PVS-10 8.5x Day/Night Weapon Sight. The resin cast is flawless and features incredibly well defined details. With 4 copies of each scope, this set is pretty comprehensive even for the most dedicated modern figure and AFV modelers.

Thanks to Yaroslav from Live Resin for this review sample.

References

Trijicon

EOTech-inc

Raytheon ELCAN Optical Technologies