1:35 M72 LAW

The M72 LAW in 1:35 scale

An add-on set with the American single-use M72 LAW rocket launcher in 1:35 scale. It is not a vehicle kit but a weapon on its own: put it in a figure's hands, strap it to the gear, lay it on the vehicle bed or use it as a detail in a diorama.

The real subject

The M72 LAW (Light Anti-tank Weapon) is an American single-use 66 mm rocket launcher brought into service in the first half of the 1960s. Its characteristic feature is the telescoping tube of fiberglass and light metal: in the carrying position it is short and closed with end caps, and before firing it is extended, with the sights and the shoulder rest folding out. The weapon is meant for a single use and the tube is discarded after firing, so it also turns up in field scenes as a piece of litter. It replaced the older M20 series launchers and, in various upgraded versions, still serves with a number of armies today.

Building and painting tips

Choose the glue according to what you find in the set: a solvent cement for plastic, cyanoacrylate for resin and metal. Wash resin castings in warm water with detergent first. In color the weapon is rewarding: add yellow and black lettering along the tube to the olive base shade, which can be suggested with a very fine brush or with decals if you have them. Emphasize the difference between the composite tube and the metal parts with different sheens: the tube rather flat, the metal parts with a hint of satin. A fine wash settles the shadows in the grooves and a dust pigment ties the weapon in with its surroundings.

Who the set is for

• Builders of figures and dioramas in 1:35 scale
• Scenes from the 1960s to the present day
• Modelers who complete vehicles with the crew's gear
• Those who want to replace a coarsely cast weapon from a kit

The set is supplied unpainted and is not a standalone model. Glue, paints, figures and the base kit are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.