Scratch-built MG34 tripod (update 07/05: more sample infantry)

[FramFramson]

I've mentioned I made my own Copplestone-based Germans. Had to make my own MG34 so it would properly match the Copplestone/Reaper Kar98 rifles I'm using. Moulded the butt end of the Reaper MG42 and did up a barrel. So far so good.

I bought the Tamiya infantry kit to use the bodies for MG gunners and other poses but realized that under Pulp Alley rules a prone MG34 gunner with gun wouldn't work (too large as a single base and a mess with separate bases). So now I needed a tripod mount, which neither Tamiya nor WG provided in my spares. So it was DIY time.

Half built to show how it fits together:



Completed and shown next to one of my landsers (haven't assembled the actual dedicated gun crew yet):

[Johnnytodd]

NIce!!!

[Ultravanillasmurf]

That is excellent.

[Sunjester]

Looks great.

[FramFramson]

Thanks guys!

[Ragnar]

Amazing work on the MG and rifleman.

Are you actually mixing Tamiya and Copplestone figures?  Or just using the bodies and adding metal heads?  Curious to see how this works out.

[Tim]

Good work, but it seems very, very high compared to the figure?

[FramFramson]

Amazing work on the MG and rifleman.

Are you actually mixing Tamiya and Copplestone figures?  Or just using the bodies and adding metal heads?  Curious to see how this works out.

I'm mixing the two. Tamiya with bolt action arms and equipment isn't that far off Copplestone. I'm also using 1:48 Combat, and other manufacturers.

I'm using a variety of heads. Some GW empire, some random Germans from various manufacturers, some Copplestone.

[Larry R]

Very cool!

[Ragnar]

Thanks for the response Fram!

[FramFramson]

Does anyone have any suggestions for the easiest way to make a cone-style ammunition drum for this thing?

I tried having my support guy feed ammunition, but that really didn't work and limited the figure's use, so (since it's prewar) I want to mount one of the early ammunition drums to it. Bizarrely, none of the BA Blitzkrieg Germans, BA Panzergrenadiers, or Tamiya infantry came with drums, though they all have MG34s and the drums were used for the first year or two of the war (maybe longer, I'm not sure) until they were phased out.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

The new Rubicon motorbike has drums.
http://forum.rubiconmodels.com/index.php?topic=624.0
Though they are true 1/56.

[tin shed gamer]

Matt,
You've answered your own question.
Just roll a cone(ish) shape in clay,and cut the end flat.Don't get hung up on the angle of the sides,It's a visual approximation your aiming for.
Or just make a stamp mould by pushing the nib of a biro pen into some clay.
It'll take minutes.

[FramFramson]

Yeah, I want the side ridges. Just doing one in putty probably is the easiest, I suppose.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Depending on the angle, you might be able to use plastic rod in a pencil sharpener or you might be able to sand the rod down (careful use of a drill as a lathe?).