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Mini World 1/72 Machine Guns Part 3

By Aleksandr Serebrov

Here is the last part where I combined the "Big guns" Ane the very first item of this category would be a very welcome set for all Japanese WWII builders this is A72 15 Japanese 20mm Type 99 Mk1 Cannon almost all late Japanese bombers were equipped with this weapon

Type 99 20mm canon

This item closing available line of aviation guns produced currently by Mini World and I’m going to review “Ground” series and will start from WWI A72 12 Hotchkiss Mle1914 machine gun which was used widely by Allied ground troops as well as choice for the first tanks and other armored fighting vehicles

Hotchkiss

The next one is Russian DShK 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, this gun was introduced in 1938 served through WWII, Korean, Vietnam wars, Soviet invasion into Afghanistan, Iraq war as well as almost all local conflicts in Africa and Asia. Durable, reliable, deadly it was served as infantry heavy machine gun as well as tank’s turret gun. Nick named “welding torch” due to the bright muzzle flush by Soviet pilots in Afghanistan where it was used as AAA by gorilla warriors. Mini World makes it as kits A72 19 and ?72 20 respectively as DShK 1938 and DShKM. Both versions could be made ether with or wheels and shield or standing tripod. The differences between these modifications are minimum and mostly limited to different shape of ammo belt feeder and muzzle.

DShK on tripod at firing position

DShK ammo belt feeder variants

DShK and DShKm differences

DShK on tripod at firing position

DShK on wheels at firing position

DShK on tripod at firing position

DShK both variants

A72 17 Browning M2 cal.50 no need to represent this US equivalent of Soviet DShK, this gun is needless to represent and its list of application can compete only with Russian DShK or German MG42

Browning M2 cal.50

Browning M2 cal.50 with ammo belt

Although this company is very new and just made its first steps with rather extensive variety of sets, it still actively expanding its list, there are at least 4 more sets coming soon: A72 18 MG-34 machine gun, A72 21 MG-15 machine gun, A72 22 MG-42 machine gun and A72 23 MG-42 machine gun.

Conclusion

Well, there is pretty much nothing to say (the pictures are self explanatory) except that this is definitely top of the line aftermarket sets, very finely done, made from very strong and durable media. There are pretty much no cons on these sets, well except that due to their size it will require some skill to handle such small parts, another thing although most of the sets have muzzle opening, some might be deeper to my taste and that could be challenging. I hope we will see more exciting news from this very skilful and talented producer. But over all I’ll give these sets 10 out of 10 and will highly recommend them to all modelers.

Here is Mini World vs. Aeroclub

Mini World vs Aeroclub