Introduction

A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope, is a sighting device based on an optical refracting telescope. It is equipped with some form of graphic image pattern (a reticle) mounted in an optically appropriate position in the 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.

A thermal weapon sight (TWS) is a device combining a compact thermographic camera and an aiming reticle. As with regular thermal sensors, thermal weapon sights can operate in total darkness or through light concealment (smoke, haze, fog, light rain). TWS can be mounted on a variety of small arms as well as some heavier weapons.
(Excerpts from Wikipedia)

I’m sure most of you are already familiar with Live Resin, a resin company from Russia producing high quality weapon and accessory sets in 1/35 scale. This review covers their US Army scope set 3 (LRE-35028). For reviews of Live Resin first two scope sets, please check this link.

Review

The US Army scope set 3 is packed in a zip-lock bag and safely secured between a firm cardboard backing. The box art on the front shows all the kit parts, while the one on the back lists correct designation of each scope and displays several smaller CAD pictures of weapon mounted scopes from this set.

The kit consists of 5 different scopes cast on a single resin block… with 4 casting blocks supplied, this kit totals to 20 scopes per set. The parts are molded in grey resin and I found no imperfections in the cast. Here is a list and some information on the scopes included in this set:

Aimpoint CompM4 is a battery powered non-magnifying red dot reflex sight manufactured by Aimpoint AB. The CompM4 is optimized for use with all generations of night vision devices (NVDs), submersible to 45 meters and runs on a single AA battery. The aiming dot brightness is adjustable; it has 7 NVD-compatible brightness settings and 9 daylight settings making it ready for round the clock use. The sight features integral QRP2 weapon mount and high battery compartment. CompM4 is classified as the US Army’s new M68CCO.

ELCAN SpecterDR 1-4x is a dual field-of-view combat sight manufactured by Raytheon Company. Designed to meet the requirements of the USSOCOM, the SpecterDR combines the traditional benefits of a red dot sight together with those of a magnified telescopic sight, providing a wide field-of-view in 1x mode as well as target identification and accuracy at range in 4x mode. The version depicted in this set has an additional OP micro reflex red dot sight attached to the top of the SpecterDR scope, as well as kill flash anti-reflection device on the front lens.

AN/PVS-14 Monocular is a lightweight night vision device manufactured by Litton Industries / ITT Corporation and is in widespread use by US Armed Forces as well as NATO allies around the world. AN/PVS-14 uses a Gen 3 image intensifier tube featuring a manual gain control which allows the user to increase or decrease image tube brightness for greater image contrast in varying light conditions. It can be used in several modes: hand held, head mounted, helmet mounted or fixed and boresighted to a rifle behind the aiming scope.

Schmidt & Bender with Barrett Optical Ranging System (BORS) is actually a combo of a powerful Schmidt & Bender PM II optical sight and BORS ballistic computer. BORS mounts directly on the riflescope and couples with the elevation knob. The computer features internal sensors which measure air temperature, barometric pressure and inclination angle, and calculates a ballistic solution thus eliminating the need for “counting clicks”, calculating mil dots as target range changes, or using a handheld computer.

AN/PAS-13B Thermal Weapon Sight (TWS) is an infrared sight developed for the US Army by Raytheon Company. The sight is designed for use on small arms in the US Armed Forces inventory, but it can also be used as a standalone observation device. The AN/PAS-13B comes in two variants, the Medium AN/PAS-13B(V)2 and the Heavy AN/PAS-13B(V)3. The Medium has a smaller telescope attached, resulting in a 5x zoom compared to the Heavy's 10x zoom. The US Army designates version 2 as MTWS (Medium Thermal Weapon Sight), and version 3 as HTWS (Heavy Thermal Weapon Sight). The AN/PAS-13B version in this set is designated as (V)2 MTWS while it actually depicts (V)3 HTWS. HTWS can be mounted on the M2 .50 cal machine gun, Mk19 40mm grenade launcher, and on sniper weapon systems like modified M4/M16s, M24 sniper rifle and the .50 cal M107 long range sniper rifle.

Someone recently said the reviews I'm publishing on Live Resin offerings are too good to be true. Do these products really deserve all the praise? All the superlatives? Yes, they absolutely do. Live Resin is using CAD software and high-tech 3D printing technology to deliver incredibly detailed weapon and accessory sets in 1/35 scale. This scope set is no exemption; extensively researched and full of tiny details like knobs and buttons controlling the windage, elevation, magnification, illumination, parallax compensation... it is all there. As far as I can tell, these scopes are superbly rendered in scale. This kit, along with the other Live Resin US Army weapon accessory sets, provides modelers with enormous possibilities of customizing their modern US weapons.

Conclusion

This kit features 5 different rifle scopes commonly used by the US Army today: Aimpoint CompM4, ELCAN SpecterDR 1-4x, AN/PVS-14 Monocular NVD, Schmidt & Bender with BORS and AN/PAS-13B Thermal Weapon Sight. The scopes are perfectly cast with small but finely defined details. With 20 pieces all together (4 copies of each different scope), this set provides a great value for money.

Thanks to Yaroslav from Live Resin for this review sample.

References

Aimpoint
Elcan Sighting sytems
PVS-14
Schmit & Bender
Barrett
Raytheon