scratchbuilt ammo belt for a MG42

'Why not save the time and use an aftermarket belt. You can find plently plastic ones from Tamiya or italari weapons and figure sets. Dragon has a decent belt in it's MG42 Heavy machine gun team set #6064. Verlinden also offers Photoetched belts. I've used these plently of times.

 jason

    G'day Wirraway. If you want a half decent ammo belt the Tamiya set 35205 German Infantry Equipment Set B(Mid/Late WWII) has a couple of good belts in it. I have stacks of them. If you can't find any sets let me know and i will organise to mail you some ammo belts.

That sounds fantastic.  Thanks a heap.  How about I send you a stamped, self addressed envelope ?

   G'day Wirraway. I would only be too happy to send you some ammo belts. You don't have to worry about the self addressed envelope.......whats a postage stamp between like minded individuals? My email address is in my profile if you just want to send me your mailing address and i will get some belts off to you.

   What brand '88' do you have. I have the old Tamiya one waiting to be built. I was thinking about posing it as an AA Flak gun pointing skywards. I might have to modify the figures a little. The ones in the kit aren't looking up into the sky.......which is generally where you find planes that you want to shoot down. AFV Clubs new searchlight kit would look great in the diorama too i think..

I picked up a 37mm Flak 43 while browsing evilbay one night.  I was the only bidder, and won it for a pound ($2.50au)  It cost me another pound for postage, so $5 all up.  Picked up the Tamiya Flak crew cheap as well.   Throw in some Italeri sand bags (and your ammo belt)  Hey presto- shake & bake dio.  I'll email you ASAP.  Thanks again.

I take the plastic ammo belts provided with the kits (Dragon/DML and sometimes Tamiya) and cut them into 1- to 4-round (bullet) sections, then glue the sections back together in the manner I like.  I usually cut from the original belt as I work, that way I know how many rounds to separate for the next portion.  Sometimes I use a very thin wire or strip of masking tape to provide a backing for the ammo belt and something extra for the little sections and glue to adhere.

I am working on a Hanomag dio and have a gunner manning the MG 42 on the top.  I used this method to drape the belt over his left hand helping to feed the belt into the weapon. 

[WARNING: this method requires a great deal of patience and small amounts of super glue.] 

Remember, the MG 34 and 42 used a reusable linking system that stayed intact after going through the weapon.  I scratchbuilt this by taking a thin strip of masking tape folded over on itself (no adhesive on the outside), then crimping it in a pair of serated surgical forceps.  Then carefully, remove the tape, coat it with super glue and let dry.  You may need to re-crimp after the glue dries, but paint and weather as desired.  It's a great effect!