Re: 1/16 PzKpfw III Ausf M - Trumpeter/Heller kit with Taigen hull integration - Build
Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2024 7:04 pm
Hello,
The following posts are for the AA machine gun and mount.
Although very rare on wartime pictures and never provided on 1/35 kits, the Panzer III can be equipped with an AA machine gun, as per the Achtung Panzer book below.
This is the type of mount on a Panzer III ausf L. It can be seen on some museum tanks and wartime pics.
And for the Panzer III ausf M, the book shows the same AA mount as used on the late Panzer IV, TIger and Panther. I like to have a cupola machine gun on my models and it is a good opportunity to make the model even more interesting.
I looked around for the best deal, including some 3D printed offerings of various quality and accuracy, available on eBay and elsewhere. With my experience with 3D printed fine items, i know that just touching the thin wire mount would probably break it, and if mounted with a MG-34 at the tip, it would not last long.
I therefore selected the Schumo MG mount in metal, available from Axel. It is about the same price as the others.
Some assembly skills are required.
Looking good, very accurate compared to the achtung Panzer image, and absolutely unbreakable. I am impressed.
I am equipping it with a regular MG-34, as seen on this museum image.
Reedees miniature has a nice one in resin available for a few dollars.
I am replacing the resin barrel by the ABER 16L-02 brass barrel that comes with photo-etched details and AA sight.
However, assembling this barrel is probably not for everyone. The photo-etched details are tiny and require concentration and some skills and luck to put together.
continuing on following post
The following posts are for the AA machine gun and mount.
Although very rare on wartime pictures and never provided on 1/35 kits, the Panzer III can be equipped with an AA machine gun, as per the Achtung Panzer book below.
This is the type of mount on a Panzer III ausf L. It can be seen on some museum tanks and wartime pics.
And for the Panzer III ausf M, the book shows the same AA mount as used on the late Panzer IV, TIger and Panther. I like to have a cupola machine gun on my models and it is a good opportunity to make the model even more interesting.
I looked around for the best deal, including some 3D printed offerings of various quality and accuracy, available on eBay and elsewhere. With my experience with 3D printed fine items, i know that just touching the thin wire mount would probably break it, and if mounted with a MG-34 at the tip, it would not last long.
I therefore selected the Schumo MG mount in metal, available from Axel. It is about the same price as the others.
Some assembly skills are required.
Looking good, very accurate compared to the achtung Panzer image, and absolutely unbreakable. I am impressed.
I am equipping it with a regular MG-34, as seen on this museum image.
Reedees miniature has a nice one in resin available for a few dollars.
I am replacing the resin barrel by the ABER 16L-02 brass barrel that comes with photo-etched details and AA sight.
However, assembling this barrel is probably not for everyone. The photo-etched details are tiny and require concentration and some skills and luck to put together.
continuing on following post