Gas Patch Models 1/72 3D Printed Guns
By Matt Bittner
Overview
Here's another area where 3D printing has truly excelled. When you think of aftermarket guns in the past, you were dealt with things like white metal or "chunky" resin. As things progressed, we had 3D printing, but it would be hard pressed to have something like what we have today. For one thing, in the "early days" of 3D printing you had to deal with rough striations. The way the printer worked was to print in "layers", and the resolution of those layers was very rough and the striations had to be sanded away. But with the latest 3D printers, those "layers" are far thinner and the resolution is outstanding. These guns attest to that higher level.
The Guns
Gas Patch Models was kind enough to send us a number of 1/72 guns to review. All are very well printed, with no dithering at all and the only clean up will be removing - carefully, very carefully - the guns from their print stubs. The guns Gas Patch Models supplied for review are:
| Browning Cal. 50 Flexible |
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| Browning Cal. 30 Flexible |
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| Lewis MKI Stripped Full Heat Sinks |
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| Vickers MKI |
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| Vickers French Modified |
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| Spandau 08-15 |
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| Spandau 08-15 Fokker Version |
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| Marlin M1917 Early Type |
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| Vickers French Extended Loading Handle |
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Each package comes with two guns and accessories. By accessories I mean such things as ammo collection bags for the Lewis MKI Stripped Full Heat Sinks, ammo belts for all guns, etc.
These are very delicate and first-rate looking guns and the detail is outstanding. We finally have replacement Spandaus where we don't have to roll a photoetch cooling jacket. That right there is worth the price. Plus guns that haven't been produced as aftermarket until now. So if you want a first-rate, replacement gun for your model, you can do no wrong with these from Gas Patch Models.
Huge thanks to Gas Patch Models for allowing us to review their superlative guns.