For some time I've been steadily acquiring inert aircraft ammunition used in Allied/German WWII aircraft. I've just managed to get hold of one of the rarest ( MG 151/15mm AP/Incendiary ) and the lined-up collection looks interesting on the mantelpiece of my study. They consist of : - .303 British MG131/13mm AP ( German ) MG 131/13mm HE ( German ) .50 cal. ( USA ) MG 151/15mm AP/Incendiary ( German MG-FF 20mm HE Brass Case( German ) MG-FF 20mm HE Steel Case ( German ) MG-FF 20mm Incendiary ( German ) MG 151/20 AP ( German ) MG 151/20 HE ( German ) Hispano 20mm AP ( British ) Hispano 20mm HE ( British ) MK108 30mm HE ( German ) MK 108 30mm AP ( German ) I'm now going to be looking out for a MG 151/15mm HE. Amazing to look at this lot and to think of the air over NW Europe full of all these different pieces of ordnance ! The Germans especially seemed to be almost endlessly resourceful in thinking of different ways to shoot down an aircraft..... Anyhow, a fun ( and inexpensive ) collecting theme, except for Tony Williams' book which keeps telling me there's lots more to find yet ! ( The MK103 30mm, foe instance... )
Greenjacket, The answer to b) is yes, and due to sloth I haven't got around to replying yet ( but will very soon ! ) And the answer to a) is ; it varies, from 50p for the .303 and .50 rounds to £15-£20 for the 30mm shells. Average for a really nice 20mm MG151, FF or Hispano is £10-£15. ( I'm expecting to pay quite a lot more if I find a MK103... )
I see. How common are 40mm rounds such as those fired from the Vickers 'S'? (And perhaps more to the point, would there be space on your mantelpiece for one?)
I have several 2cm He M rounds and several blown 2cm He rounds from torn apart German a/c. I have yet to find any type of Mk 108 3cm round that is not rusted and corroded into an ugly mass. I must be shopping in the wrong places ? Congrats Martin on a growing collection, and as you mentioned Tony's a wonderful site and collection is one to behold. By the way M where are you finding these hot 3cm's ? they are going in the states in terrible form for over $ 100.00 each US E ~
3cm rounds are most readily available in very good condition from German dealers. Mine have come from European militaria fairs or from Deutsch e-bay. There is one very good and reliable UK e-bayer who sells this sort of stuff but he's currently out-of-stock on 3cm
No problem Erich. The seller's name is Michael Saffery, his UK e-bay user name is 'siegfried' and one of his current auctions can be seen here ; - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4271&item=2269437141 I'd have no hesitation in vouching for him.
For anyone interested : - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4721&item=2274012601
And another rare one joins my collection - a 15mm calibre MG151/15 HE/Tracer shell, dated 1944 and still with traces of original paint. Won on Deutsch e-bay for just £10
And at long last, here is my collection.... inert aircraft ammo and another one lurking on my desk ; - sturmbock [ 13. October 2005, 05:00 AM: Message edited by: Martin Bull ]
good show Martin ! ah the SturmFw should have a black and red stripped spinner..........no biggie keep at it. well gents off for another few days on the cycling circuit. 90 miler iwth 7,000 feet of eleveation gain Gruß E ~
