Maybe the most well known rifle name all over the world. We're talking about a whole family of Russian originated rifles, that through the years saw many modifications and changes, but always remained, a fighter’s closest and more dependable friend. Easy to use, with minimum care and good scores!
Historical and Technical Notes
AK –47 was designed by Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov as a replacement for the SKS and as a rifle that the tank crews could use. In 1949 the Soviet Army accepts the AK 47 as the standard rifle, and from this time on till today a number that reaches 45 millions copies of every variation are estimated to have been produced.
Chambered in 7.62 x 39 features hardwood furniture, weighs 4.300 grams and has a 600rpm rate of fire. It has an 800 meter leaf sight and the effective killing range goes to 1500 meters. Usually it's used in a range of 400m for single shots and in a range of 100m for bursts.
Initially, it was not designed to hold a bayonette but after demands, was modified to do so.
The kit
Tankmaster company from Russia are selling some remarkable products, and some of them I would dare to say are rare and very useful. This 120mm kit from OA-Models comes in a small transparent plastic bag, and the 2 pieces (rifle and magazine) from soft white metal, are backed on a hard carton piece to avoid bending and breaking.
As I am not an expert on the rifle, I had to run through some Bibliography and good, large pictures and make a point by point comparison to evaluate the kit.
Well I have to say that in my eyes the 1/1 and the 120mm look identical. The representation is pretty good, and the rifle will add a lot to a figure of the scale carrying it or just have it somewhere on the base. Sculpted detail is fine and on the right amount. The surfaces are clean and the casting is good. A few strokes with the x-acto and some fine steel wool will be your two minutes preparation before painting it.
No more to say for this 2 piece kit. If you need a 120mm AK-47, this is the one to look for!! Get it!
Resources
Book :Legends and Reality of the AK – Val Shilin and Charlie Cutshaw
www.sovietarmy.com
www.ak-47.net
Thanks to Tankmaster for supplying this review sample.
