RPG-40 Grenade

cults3d

A full scale replica of the iconic World War 2 era Soviet RPG-40 (handheld anti-tank grenade, model 1940), made for demonstration and throwing. It carried a 760g payload of TNT, which was enough to overcome tank armour early in the war. When the German tanks eventually grew thicker skin, it’s production was phased out and replaced with the shaped charge RPG-43 and later RPG-6. The grenade had a surprisingly complex design. The spoon/lever was held in place by the safety strap and tension from the protruding bottom hook holding the long sprint which lied flush against the handle. When released, the spoon pulled both the short and the long sprint out in flight, releasing the internal mechanism. After this the grenade would detonate on impact. Model is mostly based on measurements of relics found available online. Walls are slightly thickened to give it more rigidity and the thread is both wider and deeper to give it more strength. The internals are only enough to be able to simulate the basic external functionality. Grenade body is hollow to save material and to allow fitting of ballast to obtain a proper weight. For the fabric strap, use either webbing or a strip of canvas. The provided plastic strap edge is meant to be glued and folded around the fabric edge, though is not a required part. A small bit of metal wire is needed to secure the strap. If possible, bend a piece of thicker metal wire to replace the sprint and hook, or even an extension spring for the later part.