.50 cal ammo cradles .... PLS HELP.

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

I’m working on a couple of 50s that are going in M1114 turrets. Everything is going smoothly, but I can’t find pictures of how the ammo cans/ cradles sit/ attach to the gun mount. I don’t have any pictures from when I was there, but I know that we always had problems with them. Bungie cords, etc were used to hold them on, or they were just left sitting just below the mount … again bungie corded so they wouldn’t fly around.

I’ve found one picture that the crew just used a MK19 can filled with 50 ammo, but we did have these. I’d prefer to model a 50 can attached to the cradle, but I need some help.

If anyone can PLEASE help me out with some pictures, or even a 2nd grader’s drawing of it, I’d GREATLY appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

2

Scott heres a link that has a good pic of the ammo cradle with the the can in it. scroll down to about the middle of the page.

http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/infantry/mg/M2.html

Hope it’s of some help to you, Steve

3

Steve,

Thanks. That was perfect. It even had a close up of the pindle and the cradle … in Army 3rd grade drawing too!

I think with this info, I’m going to be able to pull it off.

Thanks again Steve!

4

Always glad to help Scott[:D]

5

Steve,

I already posted these over in the dio forum, but I thought I’d post this one here to show the finished, well minus paint, product from your help last night. The ammo can is from the spares box, and the ammo cradle is a simple fix made from alum can scrap.

This 50 is being modeled w/o the barrel (a Soldier will be holding it), but the second will be pretty much the same, but with the barrel.

Thanks again.

6

I just saw this thread so forgive the late response.

I spent many an hour behind Mother Deuce, and have nothing but fond memories. Your depiction is right on the money. The tray was, as I recall (I didn’t fire too many pedestal mounted weapons), just sheet metal. It in turn was welded? riveted? to a rather robust structure which was part of the mount. The weak spot was the tray in which that heavy azz ammo can needed to be placed into. Naturally it was accomplished in a ham fisted sort of way, read dropped, onto the tray and latched down. Or not, or maybe just sorta set there, depended on how much in a hurry you felt you were.

No matter the method, all that weight eventually took it’s toll on the tray.

7

If I had a better internet connection I could hook you up with some current photos of the turrets on the 1114s. Going by the shield you show in the picture that is an older style gunshield, the new one has windows you can see through and so does the turret.