MiniArt M4 Quad Maxim AA Machine Gun (35211) 1:35

[Mike]

M4 Quad Maxim AA Machine Gun (35211)

1:35 MiniArt via Creative Models Ltd

 

 

The Maxim machine gun was developed during WWI into a capable weapon, and was used by a number of nations, sometimes on opposite sides of no-man’s land with different names.  By WWII it had been replaced to an extent by other more modern designs, but it still saw some use, often in Russian service as an Anti-Aircraft gun.  One such use was a quad mount that were seen in use on trains, mounted to open wagons to defend against incoming air attacks.  Mounted on a conical base that was fixed to its intended carrier, it was able to pivot and elevate as one, with the cooling jackets linked to one reservoir for ease, and the guns controlled by one trigger while the operator leaned into a pair of braces that allowed quick repositioning to track an enemy.

 

 

The Kit

This kit from MiniArt is intended to be used with your own choice of mount, be it a railway wagon, a truck or even a horse-drawn carriage with pictures existing that back up that unusual option.  It arrives in a figure-sized box with painting guide on the rear along with a suggestion for a possible mount.  Inside are ten sprues in grey styrene, plus a fret of Photo-Etched (PE) brass in a protective card envelope.  A small instruction sheet is also included to guide you through the complicated build process.

 

 

 

 

Construction begins with the base, with a three-arm mount at the very bottom, and bracing struts helping reduce flex.  The height adjustment wheel and locking mechanism are mounted, the latter being higher up near the pivot.  The four ammo cans are all made up identically with a grab handle and feeder chute with PE guide at the bottom.  They are linked together by a box-shaped bracket with PE stiffeners running across all four, then the gun frame is made up in preparation for the weapons.  These are each made up identically from a main breech and barrel/cooling jacket part, to which mounting hardware are added, in order to correctly mount is on the frame, then link the cooling jacket hoses into the frame and add the lead-adjustment wheel that moves the ring-sight from side-to-side according to the operator’s estimate of the speed of flight of the bullets and movement of their target.  The operator’s yoke is added, flip-off muzzle caps are installed on PE chains dangling from the barrel, then the magazines are offered up from underneath with a few small parts added to finish off, including the important ammo belts.  In addition, there are 15 spare magazine boxes to clutter up your mounting area.

 

Markings

There are none, but the mount, ammo cans, framework and cooling jackets were painted Russian Green, while the breeches were a dark metallic colour that I think we should call Gun Metal.

 

 

 

Conclusion

It’s a cool looking item to put in the back of a truck or wagon, but that horse-drawn option would be a bit unusual to depict, but you’d best release the horses before setting it up to fire.

 

Highly recommended.

 

They’re currently on discount at Creative as I type this, so hurry up!

 

Review sample courtesy of