Thanks gentlemen...yes it's quite uncomfortable to hold with the front and the improvised rear handle.

I used one of Matts L- shaped resin handles, drilled it out and inserted some metal tubing. then I drilled right though the tubing and into the actual handle section to insert a looong 8mm thick steel screw. seems to work and I didn't have to do any welding

The ar125 struts are screwed to the MG42 housing...a nightmare to get these aligned and in the end I missed a 100% identical hole/ screw placement by about 2mm :/

The infrared sight is also Matts, will feature a real glass lense just for the looks

Project will be on hold until I receive the machined rear-handle and the clutch lever assembly.

Markus :

Thanks Markus - have you had to cut or modify the housing for the bolts?

My resin SG has a bolt drilled straight through the barrel at the front, and a bolt passing through the barrel shroud resting on the barrel at the rear of the struts.

Hoping to upgrade to the airsoft version if it comes out later this year and im trying to work out the best solution for attaching the struts in advance.

_________________
MSgt Matt Bradley 'Crashdown' (Formerly Mattb)
A12/TQ2.0.82145E1
CO UKCM 13th Regt. 1st Batt. 'Freebooters'
"There are very few problems that cannot be solved through a suitable application of high explosives."

I had to drill the MG42 housing at the front and tapped the holes for M8 25mm long hex-bolts.
The rear of the struts is just held together by another long M8 all- thread rod until I find suitable cylinderhead bolts. the 16mm aluminim tubing rests on the IR sight, no need for any other mounting points. besides of that I didn't see any other bolts on the real M56.
Please correct me if I am wrong!?

Markus

o.k....parts are on their way to the machinist now
As soon as I get them back, I should be -hopefully- able to finish the M56 relatively fast!

Question came up how I secured my struts to the MG42 housing and I answered that I only used two mounting points. The front, where I screwed the tip of the struts to the MG42 housing and the upper rear hole, where I added a long M8 bolt to. The tubing actually rests on the IR sight, the sides are clamped to the MG42 body.
I couldn´t find any other mounting points on either version of the M56, BUT realised a lot of other differences such as varying bolts/ nuts, different brake lever assembly, different shape of trigger guard, different setup of the trigger housing that covers the MG42 grip-frame.

Seems like I will build a generic smartgun vs. recreating a specific one.

Will have an extra set of resin and a set of real AR125 struts left over when I´m done
What are the going rates for a real set atm?

Markus

While waiting for the parts to proceed with my M56 and to finish my new PR, I´d like to present another WIP for your viewing pleasures...a Nostromo pistol.

Based on Shawns fabulous resin V.3 Rexim cast, real coned SP and a -close enough- 4x20 rifle scope.

As you can see there´s still some work left to do, such as:
- adding the grip-screws
- adding the decals
- addtl. weathering/ toning down the colors

Don´t have the muzzle-tip atm, will add it once I receive it from Shawn.






Thanks for looking,

Markus

Ladies and gentlemen

I received some exciting news from my awesome machinist....seems like the parts for my M56 and my new PR are coming along nicely
Here are some WIP pics of:
- the rear M56 handle
- the all steel M56 muzzle
- the steel PR barrel suport triangle and barrel extension for my real Thompson M1A1





Looking forward to finish my builds, once I receive these parts.

Markus

Awesome stuff! So you're building the three most iconic guns from the trilogy all at once? Sweet!

_________________
My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

IF you consider the Nostromo pistol an "iconic gun", then yes

Markus

I absolutely do! Sure, no one but die-hards even know it was in the film (or one cut of it anyway), but it's an interesting glimpse into pre-Cameron weaponry in the Alien universe.

_________________
My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

Finally some news to report...

Received my machined PR and M56 parts yesterday and HAD TO slap them on for a test fitting
Also gave the M56 muzzle a first three passes with cold blueing compound...more to come.

The M56 rear handle is steel and simply screws on the real MG42.
As you can see the actual brake/ clutch handle is too long because I didn´t find the correct model as of yet.

Also started test-fitting of my new PR, but didn´t take any pics





Markus

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!

Didn´t have as much time over the holidays as I´d hoped to have, BUT I made some progress with Aliens M56 smartgun (one of three non-StarWars related props, besides of my Alien Nostromo gun and my all-Metal Aliens PR)

Basic construction is DONE!
Still have to improve/ redo some things, such as shortening the rear grip and redo the front grip in metal for added strength but it is in a displayable condition already Here are some pics...beauty shots of the finished piece on my BFG rack to follow (have to make some room for it first).









Markus

Absolutely awesome mate so far.

Thanks man...

Here´s a breakdown of the components:

Real MG42/MG53
Real Kawasaki struts
Real GPZ750 Switchgear
Steel muzzle (real MG42 muzzle with steel sleeve)
Steel rear handle with the "closest" brake/lever combo I could find
Machined alu tube that connects the trigger with the rear assembly
Matts resin infrared sight with glass lense
Matts resin trigger housing
Matts resin connector "block"
Matts resin -albeit heavily reinforced- resin L-bracket (this will be replaced by a machined/ welded assembly in the future)

Not planning to add the steady-cam arm, since I won´t use it for costuming and don´t have the needed space.

Also did preliminary assembly of my "new" PR, but have to take it apart again to modify the internal electronics and add a HD counter...still need some components before I can proceed

Close to finishing my Alien Nostromo pistol as well.
Just need to add the decals and apply final weathering.

Markus

deleted

Markus

The smartgun is the only aliens weapon I have zero representation from in my own collection. Fine work like this provides a bit of motivation to rectify that! Its an amazing peice of work.

Markus that's some fantastic work there, nice job!

Can I remind everyone though that any sales discussions can only take place in the Base PX section of the board.

Thanks,

Harry

_________________

http://www.facebook.com/TheHHACA - @TheHHACA

Its been a while since a good m56 post. Great work. Looks awesome. Great work. IM thinking about doing a new one from the matrix airsoft one coming out .. great work again

_________________
Cpl Matthew Rendar. M56 smart gun operator. 2nd bat 7th colonial marines "Rendars Raiders "

Truely great Build!
As we don't post wtb/wts request outside Base PX you
can sitll mark it as gift, so I don't need to write "Want!" in here.

Well done.
Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Frank

_________________
Sgt. Frank Peters 'reload' Smartgun Operator
A03/TQ3.0.12136E1 "It will be no picknick!"
AL Colonial Admin. - Sergeant at Arms (SgtA) -- 2020-2022
GERCM - Executive Officer (XO)
UKCM Foreign Legion: The Deviant Dragoons

Awesome work!

The only representation I have I my collection is my Hyperfirm MG42.

I wonder if it could handle having parts added to it someday

_________________
Check it out!
Independently targeting particle beam phalanx. Vwap! Fry half a city with this puppy.
We got tactical smart missiles, phase-plasma pulse rifles, RPGs, we got sonic electronic ball breakers!
We got nukes, we got knives, sharp sticks...

Looks great dude!

Is that a full size Stormtrooper figure blaster behind it in the blue??

_________________
AKA: Simon

good eye....yes it is :lol

Markus

ladies and gentlemen

here are two pics of my 95% finished Alien Nostromo blaster pistol.
had to tweak the paintjob a bit since the original one came out a tad too "goldish" and applied the decals.

will replace the stubby resin tip with a more accurate machined one in the near future, otherwise I call it DONE.




Next is a group shot of my M56 on my BFG-rack, sorry for the dark and blurry shot.



now back to refining my PR

Markus