1/72 - Spandau MG 08 Early

The Maxim 08 is a development of the weapon first accepted by the German military in 1889. In 1898 the Deutsch Waffen Munitions Fabriken (DFW) started development and modification for production. In 1908 the weapon entered service as the MG 08 (Maschinen Gewehr of 1908). It was a heavy weapon (57lbs) requiring a 70 lb field mount and crew of three. The MG08 is a belt fed, water cooled machine gun. Water cooling was necessary because of the heat generated by friction as the bullets travel through the barrel. Almost the complete barrel is surrounded by a cylindrical water jacket. As heat is generated, water evaporates passes through an external flexible tube and condenses within a separate canister. This is a total loss water system and the water is constantly being replenished from the condenser reservoir. The water jacket consists of 2 parts, the cylindrical jacket itself which is threaded at both ends and the front end that has internal threads.

It was quickly recognised that a water-cooled weapon was inappropriate on an aircraft and modifications were made specifically on the cooling of the barrel. Standard sized water jackets were manufactured with perforations to allow air flow for colling while still retaining sufficient strength for the recoil of the mechanism. The front cover was also perforated and the trunnion was adapted on the bottom for a bolt mount.