Introduction

The General Dynamics’ Mk47 Advanced Lightweight Grenade Launcher (ALGL), also called Striker 40, is short recoil operated, locked breech weapon that fires from a closed bolt for improved first-shot hit probability. Like other grenade machine guns, it’s air-cooled and belt fed, using standard disintegrating belts supplied in 32 or 48 round boxes. The key feature of the Striker 40 system is its integrated computer assisted fire control system: the AN/PVG-1 Lightweight Video Sight (LVS) linked to a ballistic computer, image intensified night vision and laser rangefinder, enables the operator to identify and accurately engage targets. The fire control system can be used to fire 40mm programmable air-bursting ammunition as well as conventional high velocity 40mm ammunition. The Mk47 also features a Picatinny rail for mounting additional thermal night sighting equipment.

The standard Striker 40 ALGL is mounted on a tripod but the weapon has also been installed on 4x4 light reconnaissance vehicles and can be installed on light armored vehicles as main or secondary armament. When compared to the current 40mm Mk19 the new Striker 40 ALGL is not only much lighter and more compact but has a greater effective range, increased accuracy and a quicker response time.

The Mk47 had originally been designed specifically for the special operations community and it is replacing the Mk19 Mod 3 in US Special Operations Command inventory since late 2004. Currently the system is in combat use by some US Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan. As of 2012 the Mk47 is also fielded by the Israel Defense Forces, replacing the Mk19 in service.

Review

This review covers one of Mk47 sets in 1/35 scale available from Live Resin: Mk47 Advanced Lightweight Grenade Launcher [ALGL] Striker 40 on Vinghog ICSW mount and classical GPK armour shield with AN/PVG-1 Light Video Sight LVS Fire Control (LRE-35072). Other kits featuring slightly different Mk47 mount/shield setups can be seen on Live Resin website.

The set is packed in a hard cardboard box. The box features CAD boxart images; the one on the front shows the diagram of all the kit parts and lists accessory sets that can be used with the Mk47 (LRE-35028, LRE-35080, LRE-35081, LRE-35082, LRE-35083, LRE-35084 and LRE-35091), while the one on the back shows different views of the Mk47 ALGL setup which can be built using the parts provided in this particular set.

The box contains a zip-lock bag with resin parts and an instruction sheet. The kit consists of 30 resin parts; the smaller pieces are organized on 3 long casting blocks, while the larger pieces are supplied individually, each on its own carrier block. The pieces looks really good and, other than some thin flash residue leftovers from the casting process, I did not find any imperfections in the resin. Again, as with all Live Resin sets, the parts display impressive details wonderfully executed in 1/35 scale.

The Mk47 ALGL features the AN/PVG-1 LVS fire control system installed on the right side of the weapon. The system is controlled by the buttons and joystick located at the rear of the receiver, above the spade grips. Live Resin did a great job on reproducing the AN/PVG-1 LVS in scale; the whole assembly is made of 6 super-detailed resin parts with the detachable flat screen heads-up display attached to the LVS system. The top of the LVS also features tiny, but incredibly well defined rail system, for mounting additional thermal night sighting equipment (i.e. AN/PAS-13 TWS which is available separately from Live Resin).
Mk47 ALGL is belt fed from the left, using standard disintegrating belts with the ammo belts usually supplied in 32 or 48 round boxes. The Mk47 in this kit features PA120 ammo box in a 40mm ammo can holder. The 40mm ammo can holder is designed to be attached to the weapon mount in two directions, one to position the 32 round can and the other to position the 48 round can for proper feeding. The holder in this particular kit is carrying PA120 ammo can which holds 32 rounds of 40mm cartridges linked into belts. 40mm rounds in the kit are supplied as 11-round belt (slightly bent to fit both the ammo can opening and weapon feed throat assembly), 7-round belt (which fits ammo can opening), a single 40mm round and a part of the 40mm round. For the ultimate representation of the Mk47 ammo feed, I would suggest deepening the PA120 ammo can cavity, adjusting the 7-round belt inside the opening and then fitting the larger belt on top.
The Mk47 ALGL in this set is depicted on an Improved Crew Served Weapons (ICSW) mount and with Gunner's Shield Kit. Produced by Vinghog AS, Norway, the ICSW mount utilizes soft-mount technology to improve accuracy, increase first hit probability and reduce recoil forces. Gunner's Shield Kit (GSK) is a part of Gunner's Protection Kit (GPK), a system providing protection for the gunners who are otherwise exposed to small-arms fire. The complex shape of the steel shield is well represented in this kit.

Building

For tips on building this kit, check out my review of a slightly different Mk47 ALGL system from Live Resin (LRE-35073). The kit reviewed here features different ammo feed system and gunner's shield configuration, so besides these small variations the linked build log and the photos of a finished model should be of help.

LINK

Conclusion

Live Resin released several slightly different Mk47 ALGL systems in 1/35 scale and this review describes Mk47 on Vinghog ICSW mount and GPK armor shield. The kit consists of 30 resin pieces cast to perfection. The build may seem complex, but with great engineering of the parts and easy to follow instructions, I'm sure most modelers would enjoy this model. Although I didn't build this kit and thus cannot comment on the fit of the pieces, I did assemble a slightly different Mk47 setup from Live Resin which definitely builds into an impressive 1/35 scale replica of Mk47 ALGL.

References

General Dynamics ATP
Vinghog
AUSA Army Magazine
Defense Industry Daily
Global Security
World Guns