Formations

Early .50 caliber Machine Guns
1/35 #F019
Review by Terry Ashley

This new set from Formations contains two M2 .50 calibre Machine Guns with the early type mount and square ammo can.

The set has two complete guns with a total of 22 cleanly cast resin parts in light cream resin that contain some very finely cast parts.

The standard of casting is excellent considering the very small and finely cast parts included but there were two small air holes in one of the MG firing handles, I only mention this as it very unusual to see this in Formation sets and is probably due to the finesse of the parts, apart from that there was the usual casting blocks to be removed and some minor flash again due to the fine parts.

Due to the very fine parts there is an additional “sprue” with the finer parts in case of mishaps which is a nice touch by Formations and of course care will be needed when removing the parts from the casting blocks but by taking my time and a fine sharp blade I was able to assembly the sample gun without the lose of any parts.

Each gun has the main body with cradle and firing handles included and separate barrel with cooling jacket plus additional parts for the cocking handle, barrel changing handle, pintle mount, ammo can belt guide and the early square ammo can.

Assembly was straight forward but I did insert a small metal pin in the breech end of the barrel to fit into a corresponding hole drilled in the front of the body for a more secure join with the rest of the parts fitting easily using cyanoacrylate and of course the barrel tip was drilled out as well as pin added to the pintle mount to make fitting to the target kit easier without the need for glue. The pintle mount arms have two small pins that fit into indentations on the cradle to allow the gun to pivot after assembly and will make posing the gun easy.

Conclusion:
Very detailed and easy to assemble guns that will add another fine touch to any of the Formation conversion sets or any Allied kit and it will be easy to add the later style factory .50cal ammo box from any available source to use the guns in most situations.

Highly recommended.

Check the Formations website for details of other update sets available and thanks to Formations for the review sample.

Page created 16 April 2004

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