My C&R dot 1944 MG34, a-Block, and PzKwIIIJ!

[MG34Biker]

I invested some of my work comp settlement in this C&R dot 1944 MG34. I used to do machine work and always called the 34 a machinists' nightmare. Anyhow, instead of banking the bucks, I figured the 34 would appreciate in value approximately 4.5 to 7.5% per year. So I see it as a CD that I can hold in my hands and have fun with.

When I got it, the shipping box was damaged, the rear feed tray tab was bent in about 0.625". I did my best to bend it out enough to clear the belt for test-firing. I was so pissed off, I didn't notice the feedblock was on backwards, making it a 27 lb single shot rifle.

I borrowed an extra feed tray and cover assy to testfire. Runs fine with 170 gr Rommy and 198 gr Yugo. It even runs with the two used, good MG34 barrels I bought from AZG3 for $50 each (Thanks, Jon!). My spare bolt ran but not consistently. I'll mess around with it to improve on that. I need to ship back the feed tray, charging handle and the bipod.

Der Schwein is a Yugo-rework, mismatched, with an MG13 Bipod.

I would like to shorten and turn down a barrel to MG34/41 specs and shorten an extra barrel jacket. I will probably use the front bearing and the rear locking collar with a piece of DOIM tubing for the jacket itself. It saves a couple lbs but every ounce counts when you are disabled.

I just got a 1963 Dnepr K750M with some R71 mods to allow me to reenact a bit more, instead of just peeling potatoes.

Our reenactment unit is a Kampfgruppe, with a squad each of Heer, SS and FJ/FD/Flak Luftwaffe Soldaten. Some of our assets are 2 converted Czech OT210 halftracks, a PzKwIIIJ 80% built, a 20mm Flak-Vierling 60% built, a 1941 Ford 1,5 ton for mounting the Vierling, 2 motorcycles with sidecars, WWII Gaz, and a 1950s-East German copy of the Gulaschkanone.

Here's a video of the PzKWIIIJ on a road test:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GUuGJk_PTu0

And, a public show battle at the National Radial Engine Exhibition in Akron, CO:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wSgqpHIdFbE

[gdmoore28]

I'll soon be forced to stop reading posts like your's, MG34biker. I'm so green with envy that I'm afraid my heart condition will worsen

My wife tells me the fung-shei of my bedroom is being destroyed by sleeping atop a half-dozen MG42s stored underneath. I told her she's right -- that's why I need to fill the space with MG34s

Your MG34 just makes me want one even more. And a sidecar, and a tank, and . . . .

Where is your group located? Would love to see more pics and text about your equipment and future plans.

Where did you find the tank body?

GeeDeeEmm

[MG34Biker]

The tank body was made from scratch. Scale drawings, photographs and a Tamiya model kit were used as references. He used a CAD/CAM program to draw the parts and had a local laser cutter make the big parts and used a plasma cutter for some of the small parts. It really is a testament to the ingenuity and motivation of reenactors.

We are supposed to be used to film a portion of the Tom Cruise movie "Valkyrie" in Spring.

Our halftracks and members were used in the movie "Saints and Soldiers"

All the gear we have has not changed the attitudes of our members. We take the hobby seriously but not ourselves.

[gdmoore28]

I'd heard that "Valkyrie" was finished and under final editing for release this spring. Have they decided to film some more scenes?

The tank project fascinates me. Lots of money, time, and dedication involved. Out of curiosity, what configuration is he using for the engine/transmission/running gear? Is he finishing it accurately inside, as well?

I ran across an Air Force pilot that was building a tank -- can't remember which series. He had the turret/cuppola finished last time I visited his website. He said he intended to do a propane cannon with hydraulic "recoil."

Keep us posted on your group's progress on it's projects.

I like the attitude, too. Taking ourselves too seriously is usually just an excuse for never taking risks.

Great work.

GeeDeeEmm

[MG34Biker]

Updated pics of scratch-built Panzer by unit member.

[mkVsten]

Nice work on the PzkwIII. A true work of dedication.

Do you know what doner hull he started with? What are the wheels/tracks from? British?

[MG34Biker]

He used a complete tub/running gear from an M113. One of the later PzIIIs had larger stamped road wheels. They reverse engineered a steel hull, transferred all the torsion bar mounting points over, etc. Radiator and engine were moved to the back with an extended shaft/U joint leading to the original differential and final drives up front.

There is no radio operator/bow MGer, but a dummy barrel section running on propane operated by a gimble mech is there.

The cannon is going to run on gas and propane with an added solenoid recoil mech to give it realistic action.

[Intruder196]

Wow! I went to FT Indiantown Gap event last month and saw a STUGIII that was built using some post war British AFV. But your pzIII is alot more authentic looking.

What state is your group in?

[MG34Biker]

Intruder,
Our unit, a Kampfgruppe, has members mostly in CO, with others in WY, KS, OK, and AZ.
http://www.kampfgruppevonrybus.com/

When we roll out, we have 2 converted Czech OT210s (C Mod and D mod), three motorcycle combinations, 1941 Ford 1,5 tonne, WWII Gaz (Kfz1(r)) and a 1942 Chebby 0,5 tonne (captured lend-lease). We have been working for over a year to get a 1950s version of the Gulaschkanone imported, but we have ammo readily available for it.
The Flak-Vierling 20mm hasn't been worked on in awhile. It will eventually be mounted on back of the '41 Ford.
We were sorely in need of belt-feds. The tracks have excellent and reliable gas guns but they weren't very practical for dismounts. By time you get the valves adjusted to get rid of the goose noise, its time to displace again. The guys with G43s tend to use them like BARs...lol. But suppressive fire with blanks doesn't work, you know?
Both of the TNW semi 34s have been problematic. I had one running with one specific bolt/barrel combination, but the barrel got separated from the weapon system. The other TNW has been sent back twice already. Broken sear, cracked receiver, etc.
I invested in a C&R MG34 but I can't do much with it because I'm disabled. Between a blank barrel and an MG34S barrel jacket project, I can play with it some. It will probably float between my trike and the FJ Gruppe.
The current project is semi MG42s. I have a Wiselite + Apex kit for the guinea pig, then a Dangola 3 cut, and a IMA dummy gun. We'd really like to build the first model FAL grip assy to keep the original profile so its going to be slow going.
There is a decent sized reenactment at Great Bend, KS Mar 14-16th, but KS is a non C3 state. BATFE won't approve 5320.20s for KS. Another semi belt fed will be needed for the dismounts.

Overall, we have a well-equiped Mech Inf Task Force....Mech Inf, with an additional Light Infantry asset. And we have our Armor, Engineer, Commo, and eventually ADA slice elements. If we could talk the track owner into mounting a 7,5cm howitzer in the D model track, we'd have our artillery support.
And, our mess section makes sure we have enough potato soup and green puss to give you the runs for days to follow! lol

[mkVsten]

Wow.

Double wow. Looked at the build photos on your website. The detail is impressive, very impressive. I have thought about bringing a British FV432 over for a while now to transform her into a Stug, but they always appear too narrow when finished. Here is a site with the build of a Stug III, you will see what I mean.

http://www.willysacres.com/StuG3.htm

Your PzKw appears to sit correctly. Once fully painted with some dirt on her, its gonna be nice.

Where is the PzKw located in Co?

[dwmmg08]

Very Impressive! That's too cool that your group is recreating such a big item. There are some wonderfully creative people in CO. Years ago, our WWI unit used to go attend WWI events up there, there was a great group (of French!) who had created a wonderful trench site up there, then they got into WWII. I think the owner of the site sold it, and bought a PaK gun, about the same time I got an airplane... I wonder if he's in your KG.

I've been having a blast shooting my MG34 down here, but I had to basically replace assy, after assy, until it's now working 100%. BRP's kits are wonderful!

[MG34Biker]

MG08,
Yeah, that guy used to be part of our unit. He broke off and formed his own unit, a combined HMG and AT Zug. Unfortunately, he got hit with the divorce bug and had to sell off a bunch of his stuff. He had quite the little sandbox out there, with the trenches and bunkers....... He used to stack the deck a little bit, having his unit occupy the Western trenchline and make the enemy assault uphilll. Sure did suck for you flat-landers!

Our unit were the Germans in the movie Saints and Soldiers. And if you remember the next to last Camp Gruber, OK event, we were the unit with the C Model track in town. We used the track to attempt breach of the hotel building.

[42rocker]

Photos are gone but still has some great links to some interesting stuff.

Later 42rocker