DML 1/35 U.S. Army Fire Support and Accessories First Look
By Cookie Sewell
| Date of Review | February 2009 | Manufacturer | DML (cyber-hobby.com) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | U.S. Army Fire Support and Accessories | Scale | 1/35 |
| Kit Number | 3879 | Primary Media | 72 parts in grey styrene |
| Pros | Weapons sprues from recent kits permit upgrading older DML or other manufacturers’ kits; good selection and reasonable numbers make for a good mix | Cons | Some complaints about recent DML kits not providing these weapons with the kit |
| Skill Level | Intermediate | MSRP (USD) | $8.95 |
First Look
Recent DML M4 medium tank kits, both US and Commonwealth versions, have caused a bit of disappointment as they did not come with either an M2HB .50 caliber machine gun and mount or in lieu of that an M1919A4 .30 caliber machine gun and mount. Modelers with rather skimpy or threadbare parts chests may rejoice here as now DML’s cyber-hobby.com affiliate is releasing a weapons set to compliment their other kits.
Basically composed of the “weapons” or J sprue from the M2 and M3 halftrack kits and the weapons sprue from Kit No. 6198, US Army Support Weapons Teams, it provides the following weapons and mounts: 1 x M2HB machine gun with “slide molded” bore, 1 x M2HB machine gun with “you drill it” bore, 1 x .50 caliber vehicle mount, 1 x open .50 caliber tripod, l x closed .50 caliber tripod, 2 x .50 caliber ammo boxes, 1 x .50 caliber belt, 1 x 57mm recoilless rifle, 1 x 57mm round, 1 x 60mm mortar, 3 x 60mm mortar bombs, 2 x M1919A4 machine guns with “slide molded” bores, 1 x M1919A4 with a “you drill it” bore, 1 x open .30 caliber tripod, 1 x folded .30 caliber tripod, 1 x .30 caliber ammo belt, 2 x .30 caliber rocker mounts, 2 x .30 caliber ammo boxes, and an axe, shovel and pick.
This set thus gives the modeler a state-of-the-art .50 caliber for the DML kits that are missing one or a .30 caliber for the Commonwealth tanks, or upgrades of extra weapons for any other American armed vehicle. The parts are well chosen to provide the largest possible amount of flexibility and use to the modeler.
Overall, while some may argue that DML should have included a weapons sprue with several of its recent kits, this upgrade set does permit modelers to provide better weaponry to older DML or other manufacturers’ kits for a reasonable amount.
Thanks to DML for the review sample.
Sprue Layout:
- J 37 M2/M2A1 Weapons Sprue
- 6198 35 Ground Support Weapons