Hey fellas, got a question.
I am thinking about making the cupola MG34 flashing (firing) just like the hull mounted MG. Would there be any problems splicing the wires together from both and then connecting it to the MFU? BYA is getting the MG34 (metal) in the next couple of weeks.

Took me a moment to figure out what you're asking about splicing together but it should pose no problems.

How do you plan to "light-up" the MG34? I can see you drilling it out to accept some optical fiber but hiding the LED seems a bit problematic. Now the LED can be mounted low in the tank and out of sight so it would seem necessary to drill out the pistol grip and feed the fiber in from there.

However, in the instance that you can find a proper tanker figure that can be posed to shoulder and fire the MG, then you could feed the fiber through a hole drilled straight through to the buttstock, on through to his shoulder, down his body and down through the cupola hatch.

Apologies for the excessive problem solving... Seems I'm overly concerned with scale issues.

-Harquebus

Exactly what I had in mind Harq, I've started getting (different) figures together and plan on modifying so that the figure is leaning into the gun (like he's firing). I'm either going to modify the MG34 (try drilling a hole through it) or using the hull MG Barrel, lengthen it, and then attach it to the rear portion of the MG34. Don't know yet, still have to get everything together. The MG34 won't be here until a couple of weeks.

It is an interesting idea, Dave. I considered the same thing for my Hummel, since it has no machine gun mounted in the hull, but I could not find a small enough drill bit for the MG that I have.

If you get the hole drilled and the optical fiber inserted, I guess you are home free. You could even use the insulation from a wire (experiment with different gages, I guess) over the fiber, so that it would only flash at the end of the muzzle.

I'm looking forward to seeing the results....................so I can copy.

Good Luck!
Jason

NO WAY DUDE! Of course, if it works out, I will post some pics and let everyone know. My tendencies are to probably take the barrel from the KT hull machine gun and add some brass tubing. It'll look pretty close to an MG34. When I receive the MG probably cut the barrel off and attach the "modification." We'll see if it works.

It is more possible than you may think, icecreamslick. I think I've got the answer for you in regards to drill bits; they come in very small sizes typically for use in a pin vise.

Just bought an extra set of bits from Tower Hobbies in sizes 61-80, this set in fact: http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXFJX5&P=ML

Now these are quite small and the smallest bit is thinner than a straight pin. Now a problem with drilling deep is that the smaller you want the hole, the shorter the bit is. GD Dave, you might have to chop the MG34 into sections or drill from both ends to get the hole to go all the way through.

If you have access to some mold making RTV silicone (even modeling clay would work) and some resin (or some other thermoplastic), you could clone several MG34's to experiment with.

Also, you do not need jacketed (insulated) optical fiber to get really good light transmission or have it flash only at the end (muzzle). The hobby grade fiber, sometimes called mere "light guides" transmits light very well, even better if the light source is from a super-bright LED.

Hope this helps and I too look forward to your progress.

-Harq

Thanks Harq, I will take all the advice/help I can get. I've got a friend who manufactures drill bits. He is TRYING to make some small skinny ones now. I will keep everyone posted.