Help with 20mm FLAK38

Boomerang

Member since
February 2007

Help with 20mm FLAK38

Posted by Boomerang on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 9:01 AM

Hi everyone. I am building a small diorama feauturing Tamiyas FLAK38 20mm anti aircraft gun.I was wondering if anyone could help me with a couple of minor details. To start with, what would be an acurate colour colour for inside the sighting mechanism? Was it glass, would gloss black look the part? And second, were the ammo magazines gun metal as in the instructions, or would they be more accurate in dark grey or field grey?

The finished piece looks good so far. I painted it Tamiya Dark Yellow and 'scratched' and 'chipped' the paint with a small wire brush as it dried. I am extremely happy with the effect, although i think i over did the scratches. Still have to wash and dry brush it yet, so maybe it will look better then. Wish i had a good camera to take and post some pics. The diorama will be of the german gun crew (dragons georgian legion) being over run by US paratroops (modified dragon figs). Have to work on getting a camera.

Thanks....Boomer.

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jadgpanther302

Member since
November 2006
From: Massachusetts

Posted by jadgpanther302 on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 11:27 AM

show us pics please. it would help alot

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armornut

Member since
March 2007
From: Northeast WA State

Posted by armornut on Sunday, August 5, 2007 9:15 AM

it is my HO that the inside of the site mechanizem would have been glass so gloss black can be used,as for the magazines,i haven't had anyone tell me at a contest the they were any other color than gunmetal ( natural metal finish) i suggest trying the different colors then going with what looks good to you. ya got me thinking i might try to float a couple mags past as field grey.perhaps someone else will be able to clear up the color conundrum:)

we're modelers it's what we do

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ajlafleche

Member since
December 2002
From: Massachusetts

Posted by ajlafleche on Sunday, August 5, 2007 11:05 AM

If you still can, drill out the sight and use a drop of Micro Krytal Klear or even ELmer's gue. Gloss black will look like...gloss black piant.

Remember, if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

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Boomerang

Member since
February 2007

Posted by Boomerang on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 5:06 AM

Thanks guys. I will try your idea AJ. It is not 'too late yet'. Thanks mate.... While i'm at it i think i will remove the mag that i installed in the breach. I think i will go with an idea i had.........that the airborne troops waited for the germans to reload before overrunning the position. An empty breach may imply this, with a fresh mag laying at the feet of a surrendering german....

Oh by the way, while just browsing the net i found a great reference site. Seems to have old and modern equipment. It is called.....JED THE MILITARY EQUIPMENT FACTORY

Thanks again all.......Boomer

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Boomerang

Member since
February 2007

Posted by Boomerang on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 9:39 AM

Ok, done with the gunsight. Drilled and hollowed out the sight, then cut a small square from some clear plastic sheet. Glued it in with a smear of white glue. Looks pretty good. Actually, just hollowing out the sight made a world of difference, but it really looks the part now. Thanks again AJ for the great idea.. One day i will eventually post pics....

Oh, by the way, the 20mm AA gun has been blooded. Those new no.11 blades are sharp!!!

Boomer........

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Wirraway

Member since
January 2006
From: Pineapple Country, Queensland, Australia

Posted by Wirraway on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 11:11 PM

Looking forward to seeing some pics............thanks again for those Tamiya parts......they were just the trick.

"Growing old is inevitable; growing up is optional"

" A hobby should pass the time - not fill it" -Norman Bates

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Boomerang

Member since
February 2007

Posted by Boomerang on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 3:55 AM

Hi everyone. I was doing some research to my own question about the colour of the 20mm magazines, and i came across some good pics. I thought i would post them for all to see to share as reference material. Maybe it will help someone in a future project.

I think the colours here are self explanatory.......