1:35 NATO 12.7 ammunition belts (All kits)

12.7 mm ammunition belts in 1:35 scale from Quinta Studio

Quinta Studio builds on a single technology: color 3D printing laid down on decal paper. The result is applied like a decal but has real three-dimensional depth, so the individual rounds in the belt are not merely painted on but stand proud. On ammunition belts that is particularly effective, because the belt is seen close up on the model and is hard to make out of plastic. The set is meant for 1:35 scale, and the designation for all kits means that it is not tied to one particular kit.

What the set is for

The belts match the 12.7 mm ammunition used in NATO countries, that is, the most widespread heavy machine gun caliber on Western-built armor and vehicles. You will use them at the machine gun positions on tank turrets, at the ring mounts of armored personnel carriers and on vehicles with a roof-mounted weapon. Because the set is not tied to one kit, it can be shared among several models.

Usage tips

The surface should be smooth and sprayed with gloss varnish, so that no air is trapped under the decal. Cut the individual belt out close to the edge, soak it in lukewarm water for fifteen seconds and slide it off the backing paper. Embossed decals cannot take a decal softener or a decal fixer: the chemistry attacks the printed resin and ruins the element, so leave them out altogether. Once dry, the belt can be gently shaped so that it follows the curve of a box or a feed chute. After drying, even the surface out with matte varnish and add a fine wash if you wish.

Who the set is for

• For builders of armor and vehicles in 1:35 scale
• For modelers who want well-drawn detail at a weapon position
• For anyone building dioramas with a crew at the weapon
• For everyone who does not want to make or paint the belts by hand

This is an accessory, not a kit. The model itself, paints and glue are not included in the package.