New From Jeff Shiu's Miniatures 200mm Wwii Ss German Mg34 Machine Gunner, 1942 Winter Eastern Front.

[Figurenfreund66]

Wow, he really looks fantastic.

But I hope he does not want to shoot with the hand on the barrel!

Cheers

Hendryk

 

[Martin64]

Wow, he really looks fantastic.

But I hope he does not want to shoot with the hand on the barrel!

Cheers

Hendryk

The soldier is not holding his hand "on the barrel". The barrel is sitting inside the housing (Gehäuse) and while I can confirm by own experience that the barrel of a machinegun is not nice to touch with your hand when changing it after it was fired (because it gets really really hot) the housing can be touched without problems at any time.
Some more thoughts on accuracy and realism:
This is an outstanding sculpt in respect to details etc. I am just not sure if the bipod lacks some minor details which are anyway easy to add. The equipment on his back indicates that the soldier is on the move - maybe out on a patrol. Therefore the long ammo belt hanging down from the MG 34 might get in the way and an ammo drum magazine would be a good alternative. When on the move usually the quite heavy MG would not be carried with its strap hanging down - the forward end of the strap could be attached by the carbine hook to the upper side of the housing and could be removed from the rearward attachment point of the grip. Then the carrying strap formed in its middle a sling that could be put around the neck (with the rearward attachment point sitting behind the neck). Now the weapon could be carried in an alert position in front of the chest and could be easily fired from the hip in an emergency.
This 200mm-release seems to be one of the first German soldiers that are wearing regular Wehrmacht equipment (not Fallschirmjaeger or Waffen-SS) and so I think it is not so boring to see "another German" release. A 200 mm soldier wearing regular Wehrmacht uniform (not in winter and not carrying a MG) would be as new to the market as other allied themes.... so keep them coming Jeff!
Enough said - if you are reading this Jeff, excellent release and you will get my order very soon.
Cheers, Martin

 

[Mirofsoft]

Nice work
Next will be a 900mm

 

[Figurenfreund66]

HI Martin64

I am aware that he holds the gun on the cooling jacket, I was in the Army -
However, the MG 34 has a very high rate of fire and the barrel gets very hot, and the cooling jacket!
On all I know the MG images is held during firing from the hip at the bipod!
I let myself but like to disabuse!

Cheers

Hendryk

 

[Martin64]

HI Martin64

I am aware that he holds the gun on the cooling jacket, I was in the Army -
However, the MG 34 has a very high rate of fire and the barrel gets very hot, and the cooling jacket!
On all I know the MG images is held during firing from the hip at the bipod!
I let myself but like to disabuse!

Cheers

Hendryk

Hi Hendryk,
so both of us were in the Army - but I guess that both of us are not Wehrmacht-veterans. I had to operate a MG 3 ( very close to the former MG 42) during my service with the paratroops. I admit that I never had access to a MG 34 because this MG was no longer in use when I was a soldier. Talking about firing rates the MG 34 had a theoretical firing rate from 800 to 900 rounds per minute. The MG 42 had a theoretical firing rate of up to 1500 rounds per minute which was reduced for the MG 3-version to 1200 rounds per minute. After permanent firing of 150 rounds the barrel of the MG 3 had to be changed (therefore we are talking about theoretical firing rates) what should have been the same for the other MG`s mentioned and as said I can confirm that the barrel gets very very damn hot . The cooling jacket instead was never a problem. Maybe things with the MG 34 were different but I doubt it.

I agree to your remarks about the firing techniques while standing:
Firing the machinegun from the hip should be conducted by grabbing the bipod to hold the barrel down because it tends to go up if you fire a burst. As explained it is not because you cannot touch the cooling jacket but you will have more control - especially if you use the carrying strap in the way described in my last post. Whatever - under field conditions sometimes you do not abide to the recommended drills of the manuals.
Take a look at the wartime picture below (sorry for the quality of the scan). It is taken from squadron signal publications "German Infantry in action".

Cheers, Martin

 

[Figurenfreund66]

HI Martin64

now serve as a good proof, the image can not really, because you can only see out the grenadier in the forward movement.
Behind a tank and I think it is to my knowledge hnadelt even a propaganda photo, so to put!
The loose bipod suggests that he sees are in, so when enemy contact, immediately goes down, the strap confirms this!
So be it, I have not shot it, but I know from my grandfather, that the cooling jacket was hotter than when the `34` 42!
The handling of the 34 is in the position shown by Jeff Shiu pose rarely, if perhaps not impossible. For a great fire burst, it was thought at the bipod.

Cheers

Hendryk

 

[Martin64]

Hendryk - I do not know if you fired the MG 3 when you were in the German Army - I just tell you from own experience. If I got you right it remains a mystery how soldiers could conduct the regular quick barrel-change of the MG`s (34 - 42 etc) because they would have had to wait until the cooling jacket has cooled down (and get killed by the enemy in the meantime) or burned their hands when opening the cooling jacket. - Just in case: The Asbest-glove provided with the tool-box-kit is only to protect the one hand that is needed to grab inside and remove the barrel.
If the picture I attached is a propaganda shot is unknown to me. But you are right- the soldier is running forward and if he is fast enough the cool airflow will prevent his left hand from getting burned.
Anyway - Jeff Shiu`s Gunner is wearing woolen gloves as an additional protection and most probably will listen to you and change his pose before pulling the trigger. So back to the topic of the thread - great sculpt.
Cheers, Martin

 

[Figurenfreund66]

HI Martin64

I completely agree, great sculpt!

Cheers

Hendryk

 

[les_berryman]

I have just ordered mine can't wait to get it

 

[kiwi45]

Great sculpt, just bought one as I just couldnt resist, even after dropping German figures/vehicle from my modelling stocks. It will go well with my Maurice Corrie 82nd Airborne 200mm figure. The price is awesome value!! now Jeff a couple of Allied figures ???
Les

 

[Carlos69]

Mine turned up today and can confirm what an awesome piece it is ! and also great value which is very refreshing

Roll on a free slot at the bench

 

[MrBMB]

Mine turned up today and can comfirm x2 it is an awesome piece
Jeff does great figures!
http://www.brisbanemodelbuilder.com/

 

[les_berryman]

Got mine last Friday looks great.
Hope Jeff does more 200mm figures.
Just one question me being new to this please help.
Can this figure be used as heer and what makes him waffen ss.

 

[Carlos69]

Got mine last Friday looks great.
Hope Jeff does more 200mm figures.
Just one question me being new to this please help.
Can this figure be used as heer and what makes him waffen ss.

Hi,as this figure stands without paint the only thing that determines him as part of the Waffen-SS is his belt buckle. But looking at the figure you may get away with it though as his MG34 hides it !

The helmet looks to be an M-35 which would of probably been a double decal helmet. So you can add Heer Army decals rather than the SS versions again making him Whermact.I cant really see much else to be honest and I have seen his kit on his back on both.

Carlos

 

[kiwi45]

Recieved my figure while at the Brisbane QMHE, and wow!, what fast delivery and outstanding value!!! Thanks Jeff.
Les

 

[les_berryman]

Thanks series 7 I was thinking the the same thing. I was thinking of adding this figure to a other figure in 42/43.
I say the same the thing for Jeff for a speedy service and detail being a first time buyer .I will order again.
Once more to series 7 for your help.