Introduction

General Dynamics’ Mk19-3 Automatic Grenade Launcher and Mk47 Advanced Lightweight Grenade Launcher (ALGL) are both 40mm belt-fed automatic grenade launchers. Both weapons use standard disintegrating ammo belts supplied in 32 or 48 round boxes.

Live Resin offers a number of accessory sets for 1/35 scale Mk19 and Mk47 weapon sets. This review covers their Mk19-3/Mk47 M548 48 Cart Ammo Boxes, Ammo Belts (LRE-35082).

Review

The accessory set is packed in a zip-lock bag safely secured between a firm cardboard backing. The boxart image on the front shows all the kit parts, while the one on the back displays some of the possibilities of using the set. The box states this accessory set is compatible with all Live Resin kits featuring Mk19/Mk47 grenade launchers, but also with any 40mm grenade machine guns produced by other manufacturers.

The set contains 12 pieces cast in grey resin. The cast is really good and I found no imperfections in the resin whatsoever. The casting blocks are pretty big, so I would suggest patience when cleaning the pieces.

This set depicts M548 ammo can, one of the most common 40mm ammo containers in the US Army inventory. M548 measures 18,6' x 8,5' x 14,6' and holds 48 rounds of 40mm cartridges linked into belts. The M548 is often deployed with the Mk19/Mk47 40mm Grenade Machine Guns, either sitting on the ground or in the ammo can holder on the left side of the weapon. Four M548 ammo cans in 1/35 scale are included in this accessory set: two are depicted closed with their lids on, one opened with its lid cast separately, while the last can is shown in 40mm ammo can holder with the 4 pieces of the holder supplied on a separate casting block. The 40mm ammo can holder is designed to function with the MK93 Machine Gun Mount and can be attached to the MK93 mount in two directions, one to position the 32 round can and the other to position the 48 round can for proper feeding. Three 7-round 40mm ammo belts are included in the set as well. The belts in this kit feature pivoting coupling: the design is essentially a metal plug and metal loop that fits around the 40mm grenade round, allowing soldiers to easily re-link and de-link 40mm grenade belts. Soldiers can even use the pivoting coupling to attach partially used ammo belts or single rounds in a process that requires no tools and no special training or skill. The 7-round ammo belts in this kit fit perfectly to the opening of the M548 ammo can.

The M548 ammo cans in this set are accurately sized and the details are well rendered. They feature nicely defined handle and quick-release latch mechanism on each end. The ammo belts look really good and the details on both the ammo rounds and pivoting coupling are masterfully executed in 1/35 scale. The only thing this set craves for are the stencils, which are available from various decal manufacturers.

Conclusion

This accessory set represents one of the most common 40mm ammo boxes in the US Army inventory: the M548 ammo can. The set includes four cans in slightly different setups and three short 40mm ammo belt segments. Whether you are thinking of displaying your 40mm grenade machine gun fed from the ammo boxes on the ground or in the ammo can holder on the left side of the weapon, this is the set for you.

References

Olive-drab.com
Browning MGS
Military Systems Group