MG42 Lafette project Some pics re-posted

[tomcatshaas]

From 42rocker, I have re-posted some of the pics to this thread. I downloaded these for my own use and did not download them all, so some are missing. If you have any PLEASE let me know.
Back to tomcatshaas thread.
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Well, another Lafette project. This one is not as nice as my MG34 Lafette with every part was marked and matching.

This one looks like an MG34 lafette converted at some time. The upper is german marked the same as my 34 lafette maker S652 but dated 1940. The lower is german marked but a differant maker. Not all parts are waffen marked, but a lot are. The upper sled has some dunkelgrau under the dark green paint. And their is a hint of some tan peaking through. The lower has hints of 2 different shades of ordnance tan.

I have seen this once before. The lower back pad is modified in a curve.

TC

Trying to repost the following pics as named by TC. I do NOT have them all if you have one of the ones that are missing PLEASE pm me or post it so we can get this GREAT Lafette repaint complete like it was before photobucket changed it's ways. Note at the time I downloaded the pics for my studies and did not keep the same number so I'm giving it my best guess as to who what where, we know the when - then.
42rocker

IMG_1615, 1614, 13, 12, 11, 10, 09, 08, 07, 06, 04, 03, 17

There only a couple of pics short, help out anyone.

[ChrisPCook]

Is this an Allegheny Tripod or FGS? I have thought about getting one... Weaponeer has a group buy (last time I checked) on MG42 Tripods from AA, was just curious how much is German marked on these... What do the replacement range plates look like? Are they fairly nice or no? thanks, Chris...

[tomcatshaas]

Yes, this is an AA lafette. I bought it directly from them as I didn't want to wait forever through the group buy. Also, you pay more for the German marked ones. I didn't find the replacement range plate. Maybe it's at the bottom of the box. I will have to call them about it.

Some of the hardware is marked, but some are not. However, they are not yugo marked.

TC

[tomcatshaas]

I found the plate. It was in with the packing slip. Good thing you asked about it. I wouldn't of looked for it.

It's not as nice. It's a silk screen image. The original is stamped or etched.

TC

Repost of a AA that was on one of my lafettes that I bought from them.
42rocker

pic is 1617

[tomcatshaas]

at first I thought this was a post war mod. But I'm really not sure. If you look at the 42 lafette's in Folke's book, you will see the same thing. I wonder if this is original or a waffenmeister field mod.

TC

Sorry after reviewing my downloaded pics I can't figure out what he was talking about. I might not have downloaded pic
1614 -- which I'm looking for. 42rocker

[tomcatshaas]

progress

Guessing -- posting a couple
Looking for 1655, 1656
42rocker

[gdmoore28]

Just out of curiosity, does anybody have an estimate of the weight difference between the war-time lafette and the modern units several of us have purchased from the gentleman in Germany recently? These newer tripods weigh just over 50 lbs without the battery box on board

I just can't imagine backpacking one of these things across Russia along with all the regular gear a poor landser would be saddled with. Are the war-time lafettes lighter?

GeeDeeEmm

[tomcatshaas]

using my calibrated bathroom scale My MG34 Lafette weighs 47 pounds.

TC

[CRUSADER]

The paint looks great so far. What kind of paint are you using? Source?

What are you doing for carry straps?

Will you show us how you rebuild the pads?

[tomcatshaas]

-------- Some of the pictures in this thread were restored by 42rocker -- If you have others please post them or pm me about them ----------------------------

The primer is red oxide made by Valspar. You can find it online, or at your local Tractor supply or Fleetfarm.

I will be using oil base Ordnance Tan (Dunkelgelb) I custom matched it from Charles Kliment's book. It's a dead on match, but it's in a satan which is a bit shiny, so I am playing around with flattening the sheen. I need to spray it out for test.Once I am happy, I will post the paint label and formula from Sherwin Williams.

I am going to make my own straps right down to the correct markings. Also, I will post how I recover the pads. However, I don't plan on doing those real soon. The paint stripping and priming has taken me over a month to get to this point.

What do you think on the color???

TC

-------- The following picture was named "IMG_1647.jpg" If anyone has a copy of it please post it or pm me about it -- 42rocker ---------------

[fab]

Hi,

this is a 1940 dated lafette.... so if i will paint it in RAL 7021 "panzer grey" (Schwartzgrau) because it was the natural color.

now you have to chosse the battel field where you lafette is...

if you want an "Afrika lafette" paint it in Gelbbraun RAL 8000 (on the panzer grey color)

in middle 1943 the official color is Dunkelgelb RAL 7028
or a "camouflage" make with Olivegrün RAL : 6003 , Rot Braun RAL 8017 and Dunkelgelb

so you have to choose .

Fab.

[tomcatshaas]

Dang you Fab !
I wasn't going to get that detailed and just spray it dunkelgelb......but no....now you pointed it out and exposed it, I will have to paint it dunkelgrau first and then dunkelgelb. Thanks! That will put me another month behind since I have to bake the paint in between coats.

TC

[Bil]

Don'y you hate it when someone confuses things whit the facts?? ---bil

[MGMike]

Nice looking TC....at some point, I'll have to re-paint my MG3 "pod" to at least be the "right" color, if not the right shape

MikeD

[CRUSADER]

TC - Is this the book you are using as a color reference?

http://www.kajacircle.com/klimentbooks/books_whcc.htm

Looks like something good to add to my little library.

FWIW, my lower pad plate is bent precisely like yours is.

[tomcatshaas]

TC - Is this the book you are using as a color reference?

http://www.kajacircle.com/klimentbooks/books_whcc.htm

Looks like something good to add to my little library.

FWIW, my lower pad plate is bent precisely like yours is.

Yes, that's the book. I picked the color what I am calling dunkelgelb (variant 1) because I like the color, and I also have a barrel carrier that has that same shade peaking out from under the yugo green. My Lafette did have another shade on it that matched the darker variant 2.

[tomcatshaas]

Everything painted dunkelgrau.

TC

Reposting pic 1674 best guess ---- 42rocker

[tomcatshaas]

Almost done. I still need to paint the search fire. That will be next year. And I have the
leather pads to do.

I will fight the war the next few years with it in Dunkelgrau and then
if I am transfered to Africa I will paint it tan.....unless I am sent to the Russian front

Best guess. ---- 42rocker
Looking for pics 1692, 91, 90, 89, 88, 87, 84, 80, 79, 76,

[Bil]

TC-VERY NICE! This project really came out excellant-thanks for the pics/tutorial! As for finishing'next year' ,I seem to remember you said that about the lafette project,and started about a week later! I expect to see pics of the finished search fire unit around the end of September! Nice job! ---bil PS-do what you can to keep from being transfered to the Eastern Front-I hear it is almost as cold as Minnesota!

[tomcatshaas]

well I was working in the same city yesterday as Tandy leather store, so I thought I would pop in (on overtime mind you ) and see if they had any remnant leather that would work for my project and this is what I found. I think if I play around with a light brown dye, I can get it to look like my Original MG34 pads

What do you think? should I go a tad darker on the color. The test piece has the Tandy Leather hide rejuvenator rubbed in like the originals.







Before pictures of the Original pads