I see some awesome work fellow modelers have done with MG belts, but mine always stink. Moldel plastic ones break on me when I heat and try to bend, and I have not been successful at scratchbuilding, I struggle to get a realistic hanging effect... Anyone want to share how they do it?

Soak them in hot water and welcome aboard Oatster!

Thanks...I'll give it a shot....it's always the simplest explaination that works, isn't it?

You can also go the PE route and purchase them.

Personally, I would try the hot water deal first.

I've tried that and, to be honest, wouldn't spend another penny on PE ammo belts. They are completely flat and not very realistic IMO.

If you try bending plastic make sure the water isn't too hot as it will melt your ammo belts. Be patient and go one step at a time bending gradually until you've done it to your liking.

Hope this helps,
Mario M.

Ok - so lets play a game of oops I broke the belt - how would you scratch build these guys -
First thought
1. create a strip of paper or foil to the length you need.
2. Stretch some sprue
3. cut the sprue to some really short segments.
4. Glue them on the foil with white glue/water
5. Lay another strip on top if you want to have the full coverage type.

One thing I see as a problem - the bullets come to a point. Lots of tedious sanding or maybe a guick wave over a heat source will melt the edges just a bit.????? Have to play with this one.

I use a nice product I piked up about 10 years ago, only problem is there is no name on it and the store I bought it at is gone. Here's what it is maybe its still made and some one will recognize the description and let us know if its still made.

The material is soft rubber . there are about 40 rows of 1.5 in long MG belts. I thoink it was originally sold as a Aircraft Item as .50 cal shells . since its rubber bending is no problem.

Josh Weingarten
IDF Armour Group
www.homestead.com/shiryon/index.html