Based on my “recent” post history it seems I complete a project every 2-3 years, but I think this one may be my longest running. I started this project, I want to say back in 2003-04, I could search through my post history and maybe find some of the old stuff I posted back then. Fortunately, you could still get SPAS parts, at the time, but if I recall even then they were getting scarce, and Humbrol was still making Brown Bess(still have one almost full jar after this too!) Tokyo Marui released their metal AEG Thompson so I knew I had to make this build.
M41A Pulse Rifle 10-Hole variant
One of the original restored props
Using the Bapty photos I created CAD files to make the 10 hole barrel vent and adjustable stock. Sold sets of them to fund the rest of the project. Basically got everything done except the wiring and painting. So. It’s been in a semi complete state ever since. One day builds always take longer than a day right?
Close up of barrel vent
The adjustable stock locks in three positions via a spring loaded bolt that mounts through the receiver of the Thompson and drops into three notches cut into the slide channel on the stock itself. It’s surprisingly secure.
Middle position
Fully extended
Sling attached
A few weeks ago I decided that I was never going to get around to machining my own magainze base or grenade launcher end cap, so I picked those up from SD Studios, to finally complete this build.
I can’t remember who made the cast resin shrouds but I made all the smaller plates and fittings from sheet aluminum. Painted everything Brown Bess, weathered the aluminum parts by beating them up a little and some silver paint here and there for the shrouds. The whole gun was weathered basically with some gun oil and dirty hands grabbing it around the magazine well and carry handle, etc. I finished it off with black and stainless hardware. I feels good to see it the correct color after it being OD green for many years.
I’m pretty sure the counter was made by Hyperdyne systems. After sitting so long in various boxes and through multiple moves, the solder joints on the board were a little bad and I wouldn’t light up all the way. Resoldered every connection on the back of the board and I was back in business. The counter counts from 99 to 95 when you insert the magazine, and counts down when the trigger is pulled. I added a magnetic switch in the circuit to activate when inserting the magazine, wired it into the aeg switch to activate when you pull the trigger, then added a micro switch on the side to turn the whole thing off when it’s in my display cabinet. I’ve seen some of the newer systems like blastcore and others that have Pulse Rifle kits, but honestly just wanted to get this one done! It would be nice to add a little sound board inside one day to make it little more lively.
The airsoft gun is not currently wired to function, because this is going to be a static display prop, but it would be easy enough to wire it again for a battery if I ever decided I want to.
Counter and grenade launcher action.
Displayed along side the M40 and M38 grenades and grenade case I made.
M41A Pulse Rifle 10-Hole variant
One of the original restored props
Using the Bapty photos I created CAD files to make the 10 hole barrel vent and adjustable stock. Sold sets of them to fund the rest of the project. Basically got everything done except the wiring and painting. So. It’s been in a semi complete state ever since. One day builds always take longer than a day right?
Close up of barrel vent
The adjustable stock locks in three positions via a spring loaded bolt that mounts through the receiver of the Thompson and drops into three notches cut into the slide channel on the stock itself. It’s surprisingly secure.
Middle position
Fully extended
Sling attached
A few weeks ago I decided that I was never going to get around to machining my own magainze base or grenade launcher end cap, so I picked those up from SD Studios, to finally complete this build.
I can’t remember who made the cast resin shrouds but I made all the smaller plates and fittings from sheet aluminum. Painted everything Brown Bess, weathered the aluminum parts by beating them up a little and some silver paint here and there for the shrouds. The whole gun was weathered basically with some gun oil and dirty hands grabbing it around the magazine well and carry handle, etc. I finished it off with black and stainless hardware. I feels good to see it the correct color after it being OD green for many years.
I’m pretty sure the counter was made by Hyperdyne systems. After sitting so long in various boxes and through multiple moves, the solder joints on the board were a little bad and I wouldn’t light up all the way. Resoldered every connection on the back of the board and I was back in business. The counter counts from 99 to 95 when you insert the magazine, and counts down when the trigger is pulled. I added a magnetic switch in the circuit to activate when inserting the magazine, wired it into the aeg switch to activate when you pull the trigger, then added a micro switch on the side to turn the whole thing off when it’s in my display cabinet. I’ve seen some of the newer systems like blastcore and others that have Pulse Rifle kits, but honestly just wanted to get this one done! It would be nice to add a little sound board inside one day to make it little more lively.
The airsoft gun is not currently wired to function, because this is going to be a static display prop, but it would be easy enough to wire it again for a battery if I ever decided I want to.
Counter and grenade launcher action.
Displayed along side the M40 and M38 grenades and grenade case I made.
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