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Post by thunderw21 on Apr 1, 2016 19:22:20 GMT -5
I've gotten out of airsoft and moved into actual reenacting. For the longest time I wanted a replica bazooka to go along with my inert M6A1 rockets.
On the advice of several reenactors I tried a Royal Tiger Gear bazooka out of Hong Kong but it turned out to be junk, so I went with an Evike one instead.
Wanting to be as historically accurate as possible, I knew there were some things I would have to change, like the paint color, the optical sight, and the grip. I purchased an original sight but the thread on the bolt is 40 threads per inch, very fine, and had to drill and tap a nut for it because one was impossible to find.
The grip is the postwar version and I'm still on the lookout for an affordable original WW2 one (affordable being the key word).
The paint was easy and it looks great at the moment. I'm very happy with the results so far. Now I'm working on simulating a rocket launch with it.
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Post by thunderw21 on Apr 1, 2016 19:26:18 GMT -5
Before:
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Post by thunderw21 on Apr 1, 2016 19:27:38 GMT -5
After:
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Post by thunderw21 on Apr 1, 2016 20:19:48 GMT -5
Now, there are a few different ways to simulate a launch without anything leaving the barrel, some safer and more legal than others.
This is where the airsoft guts of this launcher are useful. Evike sells open mouthed 40mm gas grenades that are 90 decibels when fired. These are nice because not only are they loud, but if packed with, say, baking powder or something similar, a smoke effect is created when fired.
This bazooka can already fire one of these out the front, but I also want to fire another out the back at the same time to simulate back blast. The firing mechanism is very simple and works with a lever pushing a long rod into the 40mm shell primer. A similar but reversed action shouldn't be too difficult to rig up.
I'll see what I can come up with.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 1, 2016 20:51:37 GMT -5
Sounds very cool. Shoot a video when you're all set!
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Post by thunderw21 on Apr 12, 2016 22:13:48 GMT -5
Haven't had a chance to do much with this until last weekend. Like an original, my replica bazooka has three locking lugs on the front tube. However, only one of those lugs had a cutout for the latch that kept it from rotating when the two tubes are joined together, thereby forcing me to assemble it only one way. If I remember correctly, original M9s had latch cut outs on all three lugs. So the other day I took my drill and made holes in the two lugs that lacked them. Took a while but they turned out great. Actually, they are much tighter than the first hole that it came with. No wobbling or anything. Definitely an improvement. Here's one that I drilled the other day (after a coat of paint).
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Post by thunderw21 on Apr 12, 2016 22:16:27 GMT -5
Can't believe I forgot to post these pics. Here it is folded and latched, ready for transport.
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Post by thunderw21 on Apr 12, 2016 22:17:57 GMT -5
And looking down the original sight.
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Post by thunderw21 on May 3, 2016 22:12:26 GMT -5
I've been working on a replica M6A3 rocket to use for loading demonstrations. The bazooka tube is slightly undersized so an inert original rocket can't fit. This wooden replica is slightly undersized in order to fit in the tube. Here it is thus far. It's not super detailed but it doesn't need to be for my purposes. Still need to attach the tail fin, finish painting, and attach a wire to the end. It's coming right along.
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Post by thunderw21 on May 15, 2016 8:39:26 GMT -5
The demo rocket is finished. It's simplistic but it'll work fine. I've also attached a wire to the nozzle.
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Post by thunderw21 on May 15, 2016 8:41:35 GMT -5
And let's not forget the original unissued rocket carrying bag. I picked it up for $40 shipped of eBay. Dated 1944.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on May 15, 2016 15:03:37 GMT -5
Very nice!
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