MG-34 Mid Metal Barrel

The real subject

The MG 34 was a German general-purpose machine gun of 7.92 mm caliber introduced in the 1930s. It served the infantry on a bipod and on a mount, and at the same time it became the standard weapon of armored vehicles, where it was fitted in the hull and in the turret. Characteristic of it is the barrel jacket with cooling holes, whose shape changed during production; the qualifier Mid refers to the middle production form.

What the set contains

This is a turned metal part that replaces the barrel from a plastic kit in 1:35 scale. Turning makes it possible to keep a constant wall thickness and an accurate circular cross section, so the muzzle stays regular and thin-walled. How many parts the package contains and whether any further small parts belong with the barrel is stated on the box and in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

• Try the part dry first and, if needed, carefully widen the hole in the plastic part with a round file.
• A metal part is glued with cyanoacrylate glue (super glue); cement for polystyrene will not hold on it.
• Wash and degrease the part before gluing and before painting; paint flakes off greasy metal.
• Use a base intended for metal, otherwise the surface is easily worn through while handling.
• Fit the barrel at the end of the build, so that it does not get bent during further work.

Who it is for

The set suits builders who are bothered by a thick-walled plastic barrel or its mold seam on a model, and anyone who photographs a model close up. The kit, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.