Hi Early Armorers,

Here's one of my current projects, a 1/72 scale maxim MG08.



More pics on my blog.
http://orange3dplastic.blogspot.com/2009/05/minimized-maxim-mg-08.html

It's still missing a few bits and bobs. But I have a question: What was the common configuration for the muzzle? I've seen some versions that had a disk attached at the muzzle while others don't seem to have it. Also was it common to operate the MG without attaching it to the water can?

Also does this pic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MG_08_machine_gun.JPG show the commonly used configuration for the MG? A lot of the in action pics of the mg didnt have that small shield and additional shroud on the gun barrel.
Any light shed on the matter would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hi Sonny, Have a look at http://www.landships.freeservers.com/
There should be enough info on that site to answer your questions
Paul
PS Excellent model by the way

Thank you Paul for bringing this site back to my attention. I remember checking out the Landships website when I was doing research for the build but somehow failed to refer to it during the actual modelling. Looking at the excellent pics on the site, I realize I got the rear leg supports all wrong! Arrrgggghhhh, looks like it might be a redo.

The site also mentions something about the small shield but not mention of the round plate on the muzzle break.
As for the cooling tank, some photos show them attached some not attached even in the field.
I guess that's still a mystery to me.

Hi Sonny,
The small disc was there to protect the water jacket from any frontal damage from the likes of shell fragments etc. The MG08 was followed by the MG08/15 which was an attempt to make the whole gun lighter, it used a bi-pod,pistol grip and shoulder butt, and no water reserve tank. It suffered from overheating though which in turn led to the MG08/18
HTH
Paul