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In-Box Review
135
MG 34 and MG 42 sets
German M.G.'s M.G. 34/42
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by: Frederick Boucher [ JPTRR ]

Introduction
Armtec made two 1/35 sets of German M.G.'s. This review examines their M.G. 34 (set 9) and M.G. 42 (Set 10).

Armtec was a cottage industry manufacturer and distributor from Enfield, Connecticut, that debuted c. 1971. This review is a trek down the track of nostalgia as one of my vintage kit celebrations. Since Armtec sets are not uncommon to find and still useful, I present this as a 'public service announcement' or an educational review, to just fill in the gaps - all of those are my reason for eclectic model reviews.

I don't know how extensive Armtec's catalogue eventually became. (I can check my 1970's Squadron Signal Magazines/Catalogues.) Along with these machine guns I did acquire the following 1/35 Armtec items:
* Tow Chain
* German 81mm Mortar
* Bren gun and Boys anti-tank rifle.

Armtec German Machine Guns
German M.G.'s M.G. 34 [sic] and German M.G.'s M.G. 42 [sic] were, respectively, Armtec's 2nd and 3rd injection-molded 1/35 accessories set. (They are also Set 9 and Set 10. Sometime in 1976 they were renumbered but whether from 2/3 to 9/10, or 9/10 to 2/3, I don't know.)

These machine guns were made during the epoch of battle for what would be the standard military scale - 1/30, 1/32 or 1/35. Armtec marked them as 1/35. They are noticeably bigger than a Tamiya 1/35 MG 42. The MG 34 was 1219mm in length, or 34.8mm in 1/35. This model is 39mm; if I calculated correctly, that is about 1/31. Bandai and Nichimo made 1/30 armor models and there were many 1/32 models.

German M.G.'s sets are 6 and 9 pieces:
    MG 34
      MG 34
      Bipod, folded
      Bipod extended
      Spare barrel
      50-round Ammo drums x 2
      Panzer mount bars x 2
      Panzer mount pintle

    MG 42
      MG 42
      Ammo box, 250 rounds
      Ammo belt
      50-round Ammo drum
      Bipod, folded
      Bipod extended

Molding is fairly good. Some detail is soft. Detail is basic. The 50-round magazines lack ribbing. The ammo belt was a nice idea but it is awful.

Instructions
None.

Conclusion
These machine gun sets were popular "back in the day". They were better than some kit guns and also very versatile with the different mounts and ammo options.

But these machine guns are not up to today's standards. They are lacking detail and detail is soft. They also are oversized for 1/35. Still, they can be useful. Especially if you have some old Nichimo and Bandai kits that need building!

Thanks to MoJo at Scalemates for permission to use the images of the packaged kits!

Armtec...
...was founded by Mr. Ray Pape, offering modelers unique and superior accessories and weapons better than what were included in kits, as well as kitting full kits of subjects not offered by mainstream model companies.

The first sets were 1/76 - then the predominate braille scale for armor. Armtec expanded into 1/35 and 1/48, and a few 1/72 aircraft products. They also kitted both cast metal kits and vac-formed kits (conversions and full kits); Crest Reproductions manufactured "exclusively for Armtec" those metal artillery and vehicle kits.

Mr. Pape is also the founder of Craftec Hobbies, a hobby shop now located in East Windsor, Connecticut.
SUMMARY
Highs: Many mounts and ammo magazines.
Lows: Size, soft detail.
Verdict: These machine guns are not up to today's standards. Yet they can be useful.
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: See Text
  Suggested Retail: Varies
  PUBLISHED: Dec 15, 2016
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.04%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 0.00%

About Frederick Boucher (JPTRR)
FROM: TENNESSEE, UNITED STATES

I'm a professional pilot with a degree in art. My first model was an AMT semi dump truck. Then Monogram's Lunar Lander right after the lunar landing. Next, Revell's 1/32 Bf-109G...cried havoc and released the dogs of modeling! My interests--if built before 1900, or after 1955, then I proba...

Copyright ©2021 text by Frederick Boucher [ JPTRR ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

This takes me way back. Thank you for the nostalgic journey!
DEC 15, 2016 - 10:29 AM
1976? I have an issue of Afv-g2 from 1971 with an ad for these. They were the only source of accessories and an MG 42 for use with the Monogram Pzkpfw IV. Personally I preferred the Squadron combat line molded by Historex.
DEC 15, 2016 - 11:21 AM
Hi Stephen; thanks for that info. I'll change the text to 1971. I appreciate and encourage facts like this so that I can be as accurate as possible.
DEC 15, 2016 - 12:23 PM
Another blast from the past but this time, not mine as it was "Lego Scale" and my MG sets were 1/76 (the True Scale). I was amusingly confused at first as I didn't notice the scale and just naturally assumed as it was Armtec it was thereby 1/76. The ammo belt was what quickly caught my eye as my sets did not have one plus, the smaller sets came with optional AA mounts. Thanks for taking the time ti prepare these "old" gems! Cheers,🍻 Jan
DEC 15, 2016 - 08:46 PM
Oversized for 1/35, but they were great for those 1/32 Monogram beauties from the 1970s!
DEC 16, 2016 - 11:11 PM
Thanks for the nostalgia flash-back. 1976 saw me building 1/48 Bandai armour and saving up for 1/35 Tamiya kits. Those were the days...
DEC 17, 2016 - 06:11 AM
deathdork - lol!! I was gonna post "sad" ...but, thx for the chuckle.
DEC 27, 2016 - 02:27 AM
   
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