Well the majority of the paint work is done!
So here she is!!!
First my apologies for how grainy the pictures are; I was taking them without a flash so the colours, and matt/shiny portions would show as close to how it looks in reality as possible.
The shrouds are Testors OD. The ammo box is Krylon OD. The gun is two tone flat black and platinum (Duplicolour car paint).
I made the muzzle gray instead of black- this was meant to be along the lines of pics I saw of the Mk 47 grenade launcher:
However I still think the gray is too dark- I haven't permanently attached it yet so I might repaint it a lighter gray.
These next pics are to show the satin black grips- this was meant to be like different materials used on the gun such as high impact plastic:
So that's it for pics for now. I still have to weather it and give it some graffitti (don't we all just love graffitti?
).
So now that that's out of the way...
Here's some data and nomenclature!
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M279 Auto Grenade Launcher
Caliber: 30x63mm M-series grenades (various)
Type: Electrically operated, air cooled, belt fed, automatic grenade launcher
Overall length: 774mm
Weight:11.6kg
Effective range: up to 700m (point target); 1200m maximum range, 30m minimum safe distance
Rate of fire: 180 rounds per minute
The M279 began development in the late 2170s by the US Army out of experience from the Helene 219 campaign. During that conflict US forces used multi shot grenade launchers integrated with the M-41A pulse rifle. However the M-41A’s grenade launcher was single action and limited to only four rounds per reload; the ability to provide continuous medium range area suppression with a variety of armour piercing to high explosive ammunition led to the production of a fully automatic grenade launcher.
The first XM279 trials began as auxiliary roof mounted weapons for the M577 armoured personnel carrier. Eventually the design was reduced to a weight and configuration that could be carried by ground troops. Official field service began in 2180. Originally developed by ARMAT, the manufacturing contract has been granted to MatsuCorp Defence Products. By the year 2182, 25,000 M279 grenade launchers were in service with all branches of the US armed forces.
The M279 is an air-cooled, electrically powered, fully automatic grenade launcher. It fires from an open bolt, with an electrically driven feed mechanism (further details are classified). The weapon accepts linked ammunition from a left side mounted detachable box magazine. The first "round" on every ammunition belt is a dummy round specifically for the weapon’s feed system. All standard ammunition for the M-41A 30mm grenade launcher are interchangeable with the M279. The weapon can be fired single action with its cocking lever, or full auto by activating the autoloader system switch located directly above the rear grip. The M279 is equipped with a standard forward flip up sight, however the weapon is capable of mounting additional sighting equipment (such as night vision, and range-finding electronic sights). The weapon package also includes a detachable tripod.
As the M279 is a stand alone weapon the operator (grenadier) will require an additional personal defence weapon such as the standard VP70 pistol. It should be noted that the M279 has always been intended as a supplementary support weapon and not a replacement of the M-41A’s current underbarrel 30mm grenade launcher. Distribution is at least one M279 issued per infantry squad.
Reception of the M279 has been moderate at best.
Quote:
I love my M279! I make my own belts. Not those standard 25 round M40s or M38s. Nah I start my belts with a couple of M72s (star flares), then an M61A (CS gas), and then a bit of this and a bit of that; like a few M40s (high explosive) and M51s (bounding fragmentation). If anything’s still moving after that I always have three M60 (phosphorous) rounds on the end of my belt. I call it my bowl of Cajun mixed nuts!
- Pvt. Carlos Estefan, USCM
Quote:
It’s a piece of junk! The Army Brass loves coming up with reasons for all the money they’re spending. So they threw this thing together before the end of fiscal term. Gotta show for something right? Now the damn thing’s been dumped in the Corps’ lap. I’ve never seen it feed a complete belt of ammo without jamming! I’d rather throw the M40s myself!
- L/Cpl. William Conroy, USCM
Quote:
One time the tech staff was showing us how to un-jam the launcher. Mr. Tech Guy goes through the 8 steps one by one. By the book. Makes it looks easy. What a load of bullshit! They showed us how to do it like we go to war in a vacuum or something. I’m laughing loud enough that the Gunny pipes up and asks if there is anything I’d like to add...
So I ask Mr. Tech Guy to go through the 8 steps again. Only this time I’m right beside him screaming in his ear, “GET THAT THING WORKING! JESUS CHRIST THAT TANK’S RIGHT ON US!! OH MY GOD THEY’RE GONNA F--KING KILL US ALL!!”, and pounding my fist on the desk as hard as I can.
He couldn’t get past step two. I sat back down with a big o’l grin on my face.
- Cpl. Martin Alcott, USCM (retired)
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Very pleased so far with how this has turned out!
Kevin
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