1:72 AN/M2 Browning for B-17 Mk.III

The real subject

The AN/M2 machine gun of 12.7 mm caliber made up the defensive armament of American bombers of the Second World War. On the B-17 the weapons were distributed all over the fuselage: in the nose, in the upper and lower turrets, in the waist positions and in the tail position. The barrels stick out of the fuselage and are therefore conspicuous on a finished model from every angle. The AN in the designation refers to the fact that it was a weapon adopted jointly by the ground and the naval forces.

What the set offers

The set brings AN/M2 machine guns in 1:72 scale meant for a model of the four-engine B-17 bomber in the Mk.III rendition. It serves as a replacement for the weapons on the model where the modeler wants more finely rendered barrels and muzzles, that is, in the places that are most visible and that at the same time are the easiest to damage on a finished build.

Building tips

The parts are not of polystyrene, so use cyanoacrylate glue. Cut the surplus material away with a sharp blade a little from the part and sand the remainder carefully. Wash and degrease the parts before painting, otherwise the paint will not hold. The barrels are thin and fragile, so it pays to handle them with tweezers and to fit them right at the end of the build. They are easier to paint while they are still loose. The particular procedure is given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Who it is for

The set is meant for modelers who build bombers in 1:72 scale and want to raise the level of detail in the places where it shows most. Paints, glue and other materials are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.