Modelling a Sturmgeschütz III: Sturmgeschütz IIIB in 1/35 Scale 9781780969565, 9781780969350

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Contents

Introduction

Tools and materials

Sturmgeschütz IIIB

Gallery of Sturmgeschütz III models

Museums and collections

Further reading, media and websites

Available kits and accessories

Colour reference chart

Introduction

The concept of the Sturmgeschütz III started well before the war when the German Army announced the need for a self-propelled 75mm gun to be used for infantry support. By 1938, several ‘0-Serie’ prototype vehicles were produced on earlier style Panzer IIIB chassis by Daimler-Benz. The Alkett factory in Berlin manufactured the first 30 Sturmgeschütz III Ausführung A (StuG III Ausf. A) production vehicles that went into combat in the invasion of France. As the war progressed, the StuG III was continuously improved through Ausführung A to E, and then given a longer, more powerful gun starting with the Ausf. F. The role of this AFV became more diverse with a great increase in its anti-tank role. Some StuG IIIs were allotted to Panzer companies to supplement their losses. Significant changes to the hull were made with the introduction of the Ausf. G, and the later variant of the G was produced right up until April 1945. The StuG III chassis was also used to house the 10.5cm Sturmhaubitze 42 L/28 howitzer, and Alkett produced over 1,200 of these. With a low silhouette and strongly armoured hull, the StuG III proved to be one of the more significant weapons used by German forces during World War II. With over 9,000 of these vehicles being produced during the war (of mostly the Ausführung G variant), the Sturmgeschütz III has been a very popular subject with modellers for years. Airfix released a kit of the StuG IIIG in 1/72 scale in the late 1960s, but just referred to it as a ‘75mm Assault Gun’. Tamiya produced a 1/35-scale kit soon afterwards, featuring magnificent box art and a relatively accurate model of the Ausf. G for its time. Several aftermarket companies offered resin conversion sets for the Tamiya base model to upgrade or construct different versions. Gunze Sangyo released a couple of groundbreaking kits with their high-tech multimedia versions of the StuG IIIG Late and a StuH 42. Finally in 1994, Dragon Models Limited (DML) began to produce model kits of most of the Ausführung (Ausf.) of the vehicle. The trend started with the Ausf. B, and continued with the A, C/D, F, F/8 and late G. Recently, the later Ausf. G version was released with the 10.5cm howitzer – DML’s StuH 42. The kits were well researched, came with photo-etched metal details and individual moulded track links. During the DML StuG III ‘blitz’, Tamiya produced a newly tooled kit of the StuG IIIG in the form of a Frühe, or early variant. Although the kit still

featured the vinyl-style tracks from previous years, the moulding and accuracy were far superior to anything previously available. Tamiya has just released a StuG IIIB, combining some of their previous StuG IIIG parts with a newly tooled upper hull, rear idler and partial interior.

The author with the late Sturmgeschütz IIIG at the Musée des Blindés in Saumur, France.

This guide describes the construction and finishing of a Sturmgeschütz III models in 1/35 scale. Other variants of the Sturmgeschütz III are shown in the ‘Gallery’ section, featuring models built by the author and fellow modeller Tom Cockle. The intent of this guide is to demonstrate a number of available aftermarket products and other modelling techniques that can be used on StuG III models, as well as other AFV models in general. It is also to suggest some of the modifications that are necessary to improve the accuracy and detail on available StuG III model kits. The reference books listed in the ‘Further reading, media and websites’ section provide more technical information on the Sturmgeschütz III.

Tools and materials

The following section describes the various tools and materials used in the construction and painting of the subjects in this title. Although many of these items are quite general with regard to scale modeling, many of them were specifically acquired for use on this project.

Styrene sheet, rod and tubing Various thicknesses of styrene sheet were needed for the more challenging aspects of the model construction. Typical sizes used were .040in., .020in., .015in., .010in. and .005in. Where odd sizes were needed, sheets were laminated together with liquid glue. Many different sizes of styrene rod and tubing were used, purchased at a local model railway shop. Invaluable tools for working with the styrene are a large straightedge ruler to use as a cutting guide and a smaller ruler with millimetre and inch markings.

Punch and die set Although expensive, this handy device helped with many of the parts such as the gun-mount details, idler adjustment points and numerous spacers and plugs.

The Chopper The Chopper tool is designed to create an accurate cut that can be repeated numerous times at an exact 90-degree angle. Construction of the StuG IIID jerrycan rack and air filter mounting brackets was much easier through the use of this tool.

Soldering equipment for the etched-brass parts To bond etched-brass parts together cyano glue can do the job in most cases. For some of the bigger jobs, especially where strength is needed, the brass needs to be soldered together. The fenders and other appropriate brass joints were joined using a butane soldering tool with a flame tip.

RTV rubber moulds and resin casting Resin parts were cast for some of the detail on the models. Duplicates of Tamiya’s gun-mount detail were made for the StuG IIIB and D, as were their return roller mounts.

Etched-metal bender To help with bending the etched-brass parts a tool called the ‘Hold and Fold’ was used. There are two different brands of this kind of device at the time of writing, sold in different sizes. The smaller 2in. was used for 90 per cent of the necessary work on this title.

Putty and glue Frequent use was made of Zimm-It-Rite by R&J Enterprises and Apoxie Sculpt by AVES Studio for this project, since they’re the best handling putty types I have found. Small details like seat cushions and weld beads were formed from these materials, which dry rock hard overnight. These materials were also used to create some of the Zimmerit texture on the later StuG IIIG. Tamiya’s lacquer-based putty is an excellent medium for creating cast-metal texture as well as filling gaps. Larger holes and gaps were filled with epoxy putty or styrene.

The author’s busy workbench during preliminary work on Tamiya’s early StuG IIIG. Practical use was made of plastic containers for subassemblies, as well as film containers for paint mixtures, pastels, pigments and thinners.

To help adhere the various plastic, resin and metal parts together I used what’s commonly referred to as superglue, or ‘cyano’ for short. Styrene-to-styrene bonds were strictly done with Testors’ liquid cement, which also works with resin-to-styrene bonds as well. Liquid cement also softens the styrene enough to stick to smaller brass parts for alignment, which can then be fixed permanently with cyano glue.

Lead wire and foil Sold as solder in hardware shops and fly-tying wire in fishing shops, hobby companies now carry various sizes of lead wire for detailing models. Conduits and wiring are easily formed and cemented using the various sizes available, in this case .010in. and .020in. were used the most. Lead foil can be purchased, or scavenged from tops of wine bottles. Its many uses include forming retaining straps, gun slings, conduit supports, etc. The foil also can be obtained with an adhesive backing – used in this case to correct the sloppy fit of the wheels to the suspension arms.

Airbrush and pressure supply To obtain a quality finish and take advantage of the painting techniques described in this work, an airbrush and pressure supply are essential. The singleaction airbrush used on these models is a Paasche H1, and the pressure supply is a Campbell Hausfeld compressor with a 7-gallon tank and regulator.

Paints Various types of paint were used to finish the models in this book. Each one has a unique advantage for the situation in which they are used. In summary, Floquil lacquer-based paints were used to prime the models, and Tamiya acrylic paints were used for the overall finishing colours. Vallejo water-based paint and Humbrol enamels were used for the detail. Oil paints were used for figure painting and weathering washes.

Pastel powders The weathering effects on the models portrayed in this book relied heavily on the use of chalk pastels. Several colours in earth tones are handy, including raw and burnt umber, raw and burnt sienna, orange, black and white.

Small scraps of styrene in various sizes, lead sheet and solder were invaluable resources when detailing the model kits.

The filaments from a typing eraser brush were used to create the handles on the vehicle jack for one of the kits.

Two-part epoxy putty was used to make Zimmerit texture, sculpt concrete armour and fill gaps. The two parts shown from each container were combined by twisting and kneading together. After 24 hours, the putty dried hard.

A Dremel drill was used to form the pistol-port plug from a section of kit sprue.

The Chopper is a handy device that allows numerous styrene strips to be cut at an identical length. The stiffening tubes for the roadwheels are shown being made here.

To facilitate painting the figures they were mounted on toothpicks.

Sturmgeschütz IIIB

Subject:

Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. B

Skill level:

Intermediate

Kits used:

Dragon Models Ltd Sturmgeschütz IIIB kit N

Etched-metal detail sets:

Aber detail set 35021 StuG III B, C, D; Abe

Tracks and misc. details:

Modelkasten workable track early PzIII/IV N

Introduction At the time of writing, Tamiya released a new 1/35-scale kit of the StuG IIIB. Although the vehicle modelled in this chapter uses the older Dragon Models kit, many of the points mentioned can be applied to this new model. The model presented in this chapter represents an example from Sturmgeschütz Abteilung 192 in Russia in 1941. These StuG IIIs had distinctive ‘skull’ markings in different colours representing the various companies, and many of their vehicles featured large wooden anti-ditching beams mounted to each fender.

The Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. B was built using Dragon Models’ kit. It represents a vehicle from StuG. Abt. 192 serving in Russia in 1941.

Lower hull and running gear Although adequate for the build, the running gear was replaced with the more finely detailed Tamiya mouldings from their Panzer IIIL. Rather than pilfer an entire kit, separate parts’ sprues were mail ordered from a company in Japan, Rainbow Ten Co. Ltd. In addition to the required wheels and suspension components, a bonus of extra tools, brackets, headlamps and tow-cable ends are included on the sprue. The roadwheels had six tubes welded in place that supported the two sides. These were modelled by chopping .040in. styrene rod into 3mm lengths and gluing each into position before cementing each of the roadwheels together. Aber’s brass detail set of rings (35A52) were also added to the inside faces of the roadwheels, though this seemed to be more work than it was worth. The DML hull was drilled out using a .095in. bit so that it would accept each of the Tamiya wheel mounts. Care must be taken when adapting the replacement wheel mounts to ensure they are all correctly aligned. The axles for the roadwheels were positioned 2mm below the bottom plate. The return roller mounts, which are part of the Tamiya hull, are a better example of the real thing. These were cast in resin from a rubber mould and then added to the DML model to replace the kit mounts. The bolt heads for the torsion bar mounts were incorrectly positioned on the DML left hull side. They were moulded to the right of the suspension arm-hole and need to be removed. A single conical bolt head was located to the upper left of each arm. There were also four conical bolt heads that needed to be added on the left lower hull, located between and below the last two return rollers. Grandt Line No. 155 bolt heads were used for those tasks. To give the model the look of an earlier production vehicle, Friulmodellismo white-metal drive sprockets (AW-01/B) were added. The drive housings were mounted on .020in. styrene that was cut out to form flanges of the appropriate shape. To accept the Friulmodellismo sprockets, the Tamiya housings were trimmed back and had various sizes of styrene tube added to the centre to allow

a secure fit. Supports were located underneath the very rear of the fenders. Aber’s detail set (35021) includes parts to make these brackets, which were bent and glued in place above the rear idler adjustments. A small piece of etched-brass strip was bent into a ‘V’ shape and added to the rear of the bracket to act as a support for the Aber brass mud flaps. The front fender supports consisted of a right-angled pipe bolted to the side of the hull. This was made from .047in. styrene rod, detailed with strip and bolts to match photo references. To portray the front mud flaps flipped backwards, bolt detail was added below the mounting points, just ahead of the tubular supports. Royal Model manufactures a useful detail set that includes etched-brass parts and small resin details such as mud flap retainers and equipment mounts. The ones for this kit were made from styrene using the RM parts as a guide. Pins for the rear towing pintles were made from brass rod and given small brasschain retainers. The pins for the front pintles were a two-part assembly made from .050in. and .030in. white styrene rod. A section of spare track was made from Friulmodellismo’s early PzIII/IV sets left over from one of the subsequent builds in this book. The links had to be trimmed near the guide horns to hang correctly between the two front towing pintles. The kit tracks were replaced with Modelkasten track No. SK-24, an earlier 40cm PzKpfw III/IV type with the hollow guide teeth. The individually moulded links need to be constructed by adding the guide teeth and pins to eight links at a time in a small jig supplied. Ninety-three links per side were needed to complete the runs.

Gun, mantlet and support Some of the weaker points of the DML StuG III kits in terms of the mounting detail are the gun, mantlet and support. A replacement resin gun made by The Armory by Gauntlett was used to replace the kit offering. It provided a weld bead at the mating point of the vertical armoured plate, bolt detail behind the recuperator housing and rifling inside the barrel.

Aber’s etched-brass rings were added to Tamiya’s roadwheels, along with styrene rod to emulate the stiffening tubes.

Castings were made of Tamiya’s StuG IIIG return roller mounts and gunmounting hardware using RTV rubber moulds and two-part urethane resin.

The torsion bar bolts were incorrectly located on the left side of the hull. No. 155 conical bolts from Grandt Line were used to improve the detail.

Tamiya’s running gear was adapted to the DML hull using parts from separate kit sprues purchased from Rainbow Ten in Japan.

The rear upper hull plate on the kit was replaced with .020in. styrene sheet to better model the angle of the lower edge. Styrene strip and Grandt Line No. 127 bolts were also added for the flange detail.

Mounting hardware cast from Tamiya’s StuG IIIG kit was added to Gauntlett’s resin gun, and the kit mount modified by widening it to 15mm.

Modelkasten’s workable tracks (SK-24) were pieced together with Testors’ liquid cement. Two runs of 93 links per side were constructed.

The rear fender support is missing on all DML and Tamiya StuG III kits. Aber’s brass detail set was used here. It can also be made from in. brass channel.

The front fender support was made from .047in. styrene rod and styrene scraps. Tamiya’s drive housing had to be modified using styrene tube and by trimming the surface down to allow the Friulmodellismo sprockets to fit.

The front towing pintles had several injection-pin marks to fill. Pins were made from styrene rod, and small retaining chains from Tiger Model Designs were added.

The driver’s front visor and armoured cover was replaced with Tamiya’s version from the parts box. The bullet splash in front of the gun-sight port was filed flat and styrene strips were added.

The mounting hardware behind the gun shows prominently from above. The roof plate had the bolt heads shaved off and flush screw head detail added.

Mounting and bolt detail for the main gun assembly is missing entirely in the DML kit. Since this detail is extremely prominent when viewed from the top, the options were to model it or cover the area with a tarpaulin. Tamiya provides a nicely detailed mount for their StuG IIIG kit, and these parts were cast in resin for use on this kit (and the StuG IIID in the next chapter). For the rear section of the barrel, a short length of in. aluminium tube was chopped at an angle and glued to the back of the gun shield. Two thin lengths of styrene, perforated with small holes, were added to the sides of this tubing. To adapt the cast-resin Tamiya mount to the model, the DML kit gun-mount support arms were widened by 15mm and styrene spacing discs were added to the points of contact. The opening in the upper fighting compartment was enlarged to 11mm high by 18mm wide to accommodate the added detail. The new dimensions were traced out around the existing 9 x 13mm hole with an acid pen, and the styrene carefully carved away with a sharp No. 11 X-Acto blade.

Upper hull The lower rear plate of the upper hull was replaced with .020in. styrene sheet and cut to better emulate the upward angle of the bottom edge. Since the entire upper hull of the StuG III was bolted to the lower on a flange mount, the appropriate bolt detail was added to the upper and lower flange sides. Grandt Line No. 127 bolts and nuts were used, along with hexagonal bolt heads cut from spare kit parts or styrene hex rod. Aber’s detail set supplies parts to make the early style smoke-candle rack, but one was made from styrene card to closer match photo and drawing references. The rear face of the brass example seemed incorrect and the assembly mounted onto the hull at an odd angle. The homemade version was detailed with Grandt

Line bolts and plastic tubing, as well as a filament from a typing eraser. Aber’s details, such as the retaining fingers and fine chain links, added some nice finishing touches. Lock covers for the brake access hatches were cut from .015in. styrene, and the ends of the hinges drilled out. Locating holes for the tools in the fenders were filled with styrene rod, since the tool stowage was moved to accommodate the large wooden anti-ditching beams. Thin detailing solder from Hudson & Allen Studio was added to both the front and rear light fixtures as a wire conduit. The brush guards that were featured on the vehicles researched were bent from flat iron, and these were replicated using a 0.5mm brass runner taken from a scrap etched-metal detail set.

Stowage Many of the vehicles photographed belonging to Sturmgeschütz Abteilung 192 mounted long, wooden anti-ditching beams down the fenders. In many cases, most of the standard tool stowage was modified to accommodate the new load. It is difficult to determine just where the full complement of vehicle equipment was stowed, but some photos show of a lot of it jammed in and around the rear engine deck. The wooden beams appeared to be shackled to the hull using fasteners, so balsa beams were cut to an appropriate size and support plates were made from styrene and Grandt Line nuts and bolts. The area between the hull and the beams became an ideal location for stowed items, and so spare track links, gasoline cans and other miscellaneous equipment was assembled and arranged appropriately.

Fighting compartment The bullet splash for the gun sight was moulded on this part as a series of steps, whereas it was in fact a number of metal strips welded in place next to each other. The ‘stepped’ part of the kit was filed down carefully, and ten strips of

1.25mm-wide .010in. styrene were glued in place with equal spaces between them.

A smoke-candle discharger was made from styrene, and detailed with Aber’s brass set and a filament from a typing eraser brush.

A row of spare tracks was fastened onto the bow plate using the many extra links provided in a Friulmodellismo set. The few spares that came from the Modelkasten set were stowed elsewhere on the vehicle.

The DML kit driver’s visor was replaced with surplus parts from Tamiya’s StuG IIIG kit. The original visor was too narrow and the armoured cover looked flimsy. The bullet splash directly in front of this had screw head detail added to the top. The raised bolt head detail on the fighting compartment was removed, and flush screw head detail was added in its place. To accomplish this, a syringe needle was cut straight and used to press circular forms into the plastic hull plate. Into the middle of each circle, the sharp tip of a jeweller’s screwdriver blade was pressed to make the indentation, completing the effect. Crew hatches were cut from .010in. styrene sheet since the kit parts were slightly too thick. The hinge detail was carefully removed from the kit parts and transferred over to the replacements. Lock-mechanism housings and other details were added using thicker scraps of styrene sheet, Grandt Line bolts and Aber brass detail. The scratch-built styrene parts tended to win over any of the etchedbrass options as these were not sufficiently thick or well formed.

The model’s anti-ditching beams were cut from scraps of balsa wood. Some of the other stowage items came from accessory sets by Royal Model and Tamiya.

A crew were constructed from a DML figure set, a Verlinden Products’ resin figure and Warriors’ resin heads.

Grab handles for the side of the hull were bent from .015in. brass rod. Holes were drilled into the sides of the hull to mount these and small styrene tabs were glued above and below as a base for the mounting bolts. The kit’s front lifting lugs were replaced with .020in. solder wire bent around .075in. rod.

Painting and decals The model was painted initially with a base coat of Floquil’s Weathered Black. This is in fact a dark grey colour and an ideal type of paint that adheres well to a multimedia of surfaces to produce a homogenous finish. Soon after this dried, the colour was lightened with Floquil’s Earth lightly sprayed onto the model to highlight some of the detail. This lacquer-based primer was given a couple of days to cure before any subsequent paint was added.

After painting the model, decals for StuG. Abt. 192 were applied over a glossy surface using Solvaset solution. To give the decals a matte finish, Testors’ Model Master Flat Lacquer was airbrushed on.

To enhance shadow and details, an oil-paint wash was applied to the vehicle having first soaked the surface with paint thinner.

Thinned oil paint was applied to the surface with a fine brush allowing the pigment to flow into and around the details.

Pigment powders and pastel chalks were applied with an old paintbrush to simulate the dust and dirt accumulated in and around the running gear and at the rear of the vehicle.

Tamiya’s acrylic gloss was sprayed onto the areas of the model where the decals were to be applied. This was to avoid the possibility of ‘silvering’ the decal film. An accurate set of decals for StuG. Abt. 192 provided in Kagero’s StuG III in Miniature book were used on the vehicle, using the number ‘13’ as an arbitrary example of an early vehicle from one of several companies. Some research has pointed out that different companies of that Abteilung used white, yellow, green or red colours for the prominent death’s-head insignia. After drying, the decal areas were all airbrushed with Testors’ Modelmaster Flat Lacquer, which produces a dead flat protective surface. The stowage items were primed in Floquil’s Engine Black and then painted in acrylics with an airbrush. Items like the stacked boxes and jerrycans were fastened together first for ease of painting, and then adhered to the model with white glue during the weathering process. The balsa beams for the sides were first painted with a diluted burnt sienna and raw umber oil paint mix. They were attached to the model using the towing ‘S’ hooks, and copper wire coloured with black paint.

Painting tracks The track runs received a base coat of Floquil lacquer. The lacquer paint is resilient to the acrylic-thinned pastel powders applied at a later stage. A mixture of Floquil Earth darkened with a small amount of Roof Brown was airbrushed on after which mixtures of lighter ‘earth’-coloured pastel powders were applied. Raw umber pastel, which is actually a very light shade compared to its oil paint namesake, was crushed into powder and mixed with Tamiya acrylic thinner. The soupy mix was then randomly blotted onto the length of the track runs on both sides. Various other shades of pastel were also added including orange, which gives a suggestion of rust. When dry, a mix of Humbrol enamel Gunmetal and

Silver was rubbed onto the high points of the entire length of the track runs, making sure that the silver was toned down enough not to appear garish.

Paint chips were applied to areas of the vehicle that would show wear. Vallejo’s Hull Red and Black watercolours were combined on a polyethylene palette and painted on with a 000 brush.

Weathering With all of the equipment on the model attached and painted, the assembly received an airbrushing of a dusty acrylic paint mixture, thinned down to 5 per cent paint. The mixture consisted of Tamiya XF-51 Khaki Drab, XF-52 Flat Earth, XF-55 Deck Tan, and XF-57 Buff. This ‘dusting’ was intended to replicate the dirt that settles on an AFV during its time in the field and was concentrated on the lower and rear ends of the vehicle, but also applied to the entire area for consistency. This technique also removed any sharp contrasts, taking the glare out of markings and other intense shades.

After the track sections were primed with Floquil lacquer, pastel chalk powder of various colours, mixed with Tamiya acrylic thinner, was daubed onto them randomly.

A mixture of Humbrol’s Steel and Silver enamel was drybrushed onto the tracks to blend the pastel colours and give a worn-metal appearance to the area that would contact the ground and running gear.

A wash of thinned oil paint was then applied to all surfaces of the model to emphasize detail. Selecting one area at a time, a small amount of mineral spirit was allowed to dampen the finish. With a fine brush, thinned raw umber oil paint was touched to all the recessed detail and allowed to settle in and around the features. Any errant paint was guided away with a clean brush moistened with the mineral spirit. A larger brush dampened with the spirit was used to drag the paint downward on the vertical surfaces. This creates rain streaks and also can lower the intensity of the wash if too much paint has been applied. Worn and scuffed paint was simulated around areas of wear from the crew. Because of this vehicle’s original RAL 7021 dunkelgrau colour, dark grey paint chips were randomly painted on to the edges of the hatches, corners of the stowage boxes, and other high traffic locations. Vallejo acrylics were used for this, since they have a very fine pigment and flow well from a 000 brush. Although chipped paint on a model may be questioned as to its likelihood, artistic license allows the effect to enhance detail. To simulate caked-on mud, MIG Productions Acrylic Resin was mixed with paint pigments and static grass and daubed onto the lower regions of the kit. Before it dried, the paint pigments and pastel chalk powder were also randomly added into the sticky mess, varying the texture. Weathering the wooden beams involved randomly dusting them with grey artist’s chalk pastel, and then dappling on a small amount of thinner that had been spiked with a tiny amount of black oil paint. The random approach to this produced a very grubby looking, rough-hewn, well-used chunk of wood.

The anti-ditching beams were also weathered using pastel chalks and thinned oil-paint stains.

The vehicle mufflers were painted using pastel chalks mixed with Tamiya acrylic thinner.

One of the last stages of weathering involved applying Hudson & Allen’s mud to the lower parts of the model. Mixed with water and a small amount of Mig Productions’ Acrylic Modelling Paste, it was added in and around the roadwheel mounts, as well as to the lower rear of the hull.

The rear idlers were made adjustable by squeezing the locating pin and allowing them to fit tightly without glue. Track tension could then be altered to add a sag to the tracks.

A barrel cap was provided with the Gauntlett resin gun. A thin strap was made from lead strip and fastened to a cleat located under the barrel.

The wooden beams were fastened to the vehicle with copper wire and towing shackles. The crews used the space created between the beams and the vehicle for stowage.

The model was placed on a base with realistic ground cover. The crews of self-propelled guns wore panzer-style jackets in a field grey colour.

Replacement track pins were carried in the spare roadwheels. The fire extinguisher is a Royal Model’s resin type, painted green as per colour reference photos.

Gallery of Sturmgeschütz III models

This section show several other models of the Sturmgeschütz III previously built by the author and fellow modeller Tom Cockle.

Sturmgeschütz III Ausführung A The Dragon Models’ kit of the StuG IIIA (9031) was built into a replica of the first production version of the vehicle. The kit provided the 38cm tracks and the narrow drive sprocket and roadwheels. Although similar in appearance to the Ausf. B, the hatch on the roof above the gunner differed in configuration. The forward return roller location was also further back than the Ausf. B, it was moved forward to reduce upward slapping of the track when the drive sprocket pulled on it. The model represents a vehicle serving with the 1st SS-Division ‘Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler’ during Operation Barbarossa in 1941.

Dragon Models Ltd StuG IIIA was built straight from the box with the exception of the tow cables and gun mount. The vehicle has the distinctive narrow 38cm track, early idler and equal spacing between the return rollers.

Sturmgeschütz III Ausführung E This model is a conversion of the Dragon Models’ StuG IIIF (6033). Tom Cockle used the parts available in the box along with a scratch-built fighting compartment to create a StuG IIIE serving on the Eastern Front during winter 1941/42. The antennae troughs on either side of the engine deck were made from styrene card and brass strip. The upper rear tail plate was replaced with styrene, as described in the StuG IIIB and StuG IIID builds earlier in this book. The hole in the roof hatch for the gunsight was also modified using drawings in Spielberger’s book Sturmgeschütz and its Variants.

Tom Cockle modified DML’s StuG IIIF kit into an Ausf. E by adding the earlier gun and modifying the roof hatch above the gunner.

Antenna troughs made from styrene strip and a partial interior were added by Tom, who placed the model on a base covered with Bondex Lightweight Spackling paste.

Sturmgeschütz III Ausführung F Built by modeller Tom Cockle, Dragon Models’ kit number 6033 was painted to represent a vehicle from StuG. Abt. 191 in Russia during 1943. Featuring a more comprehensive scratch-built interior than his Ausf. E model, Tom incorporated parts from Tamiya’s StuG IIIG kit to model the gun mount and breech assembly. The rear tail plate and antennae trough additions made to the Ausf. E were duplicated on this model.

This StuG IIIF, built by Tom Cockle, represents a vehicle used by StuG. Abt. 191 on the Eastern Front in 1943. The unit emblem was a red charging bison on a black background. Tom’s model featured a comprehensive scratch-built interior.

Sturmgeschütz III Ausführung F/8 The StuG IIIF/8 had a modified lower chassis that was also used for the StuG IIIG. Dragon’s kit of the Ausf. F/8 (9013), comes with the extended Winterketten tracks. A brass cage was built and added over the hole in the hatch cover for the gun sight. Tamiya’s gun-mounting hardware from the StuG IIIG kit was also adapted to the model. Cromwell Model’s 12-man figure set of Panzergrenadiers and StuG III crewmen were assembled and painted to represent members of the 3rd SS-Pz Division ‘Totenkopf’. The Panzergrenadiers wear the distinctive field grey/khaki fur-lined anoraks issued only to the Waffen SS, and seen primarily on the Eastern Front.

10.5cm Sturmhaubitze 42 SdKfz 142/2 Built on the chassis of StuG IIIF, F/8, and G, the StuH 42 mounted the 10.5cm leFH18 to provide heavier hitting power to Sturmgeschütz units. The vehicle was the same as its 7.5cm StuG counterpart except for the gun and internal round stowage. Tom Cockle modelled this vehicle using the Tamiya StuG IIIG as a basis, and added Zimmerit texture using Zimm-It-Rite epoxy putty and a waffle-pattern stamp.

The model was painted using Tamiya acrylics and weathered using oil-paint washes and drybrushing The running gear and lower hull received a solid coat of mud and dust.

Dragon Models’ StuG IIIF/8 was built with the extended Winterketten tracks provided in the kit. Cromwell Models’ 12-man resin Panzergrenadier figure set was designed to fit around this kit, and the figures were finished in Humbrol enamels.

The troops from the ‘Totenkopf’ division were sculpted wearing distinctive fur-lined anoraks, which were only issued to the Waffen SS. A protective wire cage for the gun sight was built from brass rod.

Tom Cockle’s model of the StuH 42 was built using Tamiya’s StuG IIIG kit. The waffle-pattern Zimmerit was made using Zimm-It-Rite epoxy putty and a homemade stamping tool. (Photograph by Tom Cockle)

The kit’s roadwheels were replaced with Gunze Sangyo’s, which have a more accurate look than the Tamiya parts. Modelkasten white-metal return rollers were used in place of the kit’s rubber-tyred ones. (Photograph by Tom Cockle)

The vehicle featured a unique type of bolted-on Schürzen, which Tom modelled with styrene sheet. He also made a resin copy of the muzzle brake from the Gunze Sangyo 10.5cm leFH18(Sf) auf Geschützwagen 39(H)f.

The stowage on the back of the model was from Royal Model’s StuG III stowage set (150). Two of the crewmen are from Warrior’s line of resin figures, and the fellow sitting in the loader’s hatch is by Wolf.

Museums and collections

The StuG III is one of the most prolific vehicles in the world’s AFV collections. The following list describes where some of the surviving vehicles can be found.

Aberdeen Armor Proving Grounds, Aberdeen, Maryland, USA A large collection of vehicles at the APG in Aberdeen includes an early StuG IIIG and a StuH 42.

Auto und Technik Museum, Sinsheim, Germany A StuG IIIG is on display at the museum. The displayed vehicle was used in Finland from 1944 until 1966 under the registration number PS.531-42.

Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung Erprobungstelle der Bundeswehr, Meppen, Germany A mid-production Ausf. G vehicle is on display at the Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung Erprob-ungstelle der Bundeswehr in Meppen, Germany.

Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, Canada On display in a roped off area of the Canadian War Museum is a battlefield wreck of a StuG IIIG, used for target practice during the fighting in Northwest Europe.

Aberdeen Proving Grounds is the home for this Sturmgeschütz IIIG.

Finland, various museums There are approximately 20 surviving Sturmgeschütz IIIG vehicles in Finland, most of them stored at the Parola museum. Finland received two batches of the vehicles from the Germans, 30 in 1943 and 29 later in 1944. Some of these Finnish StuGs are now on display as German vehicles in different museums throughout the world.

Militärhistorisches Dresden, Dresden, Germany An ex-Finnish command Ausf. G vehicle is housed in the Dresden museum.

Military Vehicle Technology Foundation, Portola Valley, California, USA The vast AFV collection of Jacques Littlefield has a fully restored StuG IIIG.

Museé de Blindés, Saumur, France Housed in the museum in the city of Saumur, France is a later StuG III Ausf. G, and a 10.5cm howitzer version.

Museum of the Armored Corps, Yad la-Shiryon - Latrun, Israel This museum displays a later StuG IIIG

Museum of Armored Vehicles and Equipment, Kubinka, Russia Two StuG IIIGs and a StuG IIIF/8 are on display in the Russian tank museum in Kubinka.

Pansarmuseet i Axvall (The Tank Museum of Axvall), Axvall, Sweden The Swedish Tank Museum displays an example of a StuG IIID.

Panzermuseum, Munster, Germany An ex-Finnish early StuG IIIG is on display at the Panzermuseum in Munster, Germany. The museum also has a restored late-model G that was captured by US forces and shipped to the States for evaluation, later returning to Germany and brought back to running order.

Panzermuseum, Thun, Switzerland On outdoor display is a later StuG IIIG featuring the welded mantlet with a coaxial machine gun (introduced in June 1944).

The Patton Museum, Fort Knox, Kentucky, USA USA The Patton Museum has two StuG IIIGs in their original paint. One of them was recovered from a Russian bog several years ago. Also housed in the building is a StuH 42.

The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset, England The Tank Museum has two examples of StuG IIIG vehicles, one of them still sporting the Alkett factory applied waffle-pattern Zimmerit (currently on loan to

the Imperial War Museum, London).

Wehrtechnische Studiensammlung, Koblenz, Germany A StuG IIIG is exhibited at the Wehrtechnische Studiensammlung. This piece was used by the Finnish Army after 1945 and arrived in the museum in 1989.

Voennoistoricheski Muzei, Sofia Museum, Bulgaria Stored on the Museum grounds is a late example of the StuG IIIG.

Further reading, media and websites

Books Bitoh, Mitsuru, Achtung Panzer No. 5 Dai Nippon Kaiga: Tokyo, 1992 This book from the Achtung Panzer series includes detail drawings and informative photos of a very high standard. In the book, which covers the StuG III, IV and sIG 33, specific features of all variants are well illustrated and described with the scale modeller in mind. Photographic reference from many museums is spread throughout the publication making this work a much-needed reference for the StuG III enthusiast. Although the book is primarily in Japanese, there is enough English in the captions to allow everyone thorough use of it. Cockle, Tom, Walk Around – Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.G Squadron/Signal Publications: Carrollton, Texas, 2001 Squadron/Signal Publications series of ‘Walk Around’ titles include this volume on the StuG IIIG variant. Museum pictures and period photos from the war are combined with drawings, profiles and a wealth of detailed captions. Written by a modeller for modellers. Deygas, V., and Milési, A., Sturmgeschutz III MK Editions: Saint-Laurent de Carnols, 2000 This book was created by modellers for modellers, and focuses on how to build accurate replicas of the StuG III. Although a bit dated, the helpful tips and abundant photo reference make this a very valuable book for the affordable price. An English pamphlet is supplied to translate the French text. Feist, Uwe, and Fleischer, Wolfgang, Sturmgeschütz Ryton Publications: Bellingham, WA, 2000 This hardbound reference is packed with information on the Sturmgeschütz III, with top-quality photos and numerous pictures of the restoration of Jacque Littlefield’s Ausf. G.

Gazquez, Joaquin Garcia, Euro Modelisimo ‘StuG III’ Accion Press: Madrid, 2004 This Modelisimo special is all in French text and is a very good reference at modelling the StuG III. Wartime reference photos, colour vehicle profiles & divisional crests, and colour photographs of a person wearing an actual StuG III crew uniform are featured. The model construction steps are well photographed and show detailed builds on the StuG III A, D, F, F/8 and three ‘G’ variants. Jentz, Thomas, and Doyle, Hilary, New Vanguard 19: StuG III Assault Gun 1940–1942 Osprey Publishing Ltd: Oxford, 1996 The first in a series of two books chronicling the life of the Sturmgeschütz from Ausführung 0-Serie through to the E model. Technical information regarding the introduction of the weapon in 1940 and all the improvements made during the course of production of the short-barrel gunned vehicles. A section of colour profiles are featured, including three views of the StuG IIID modelled in the ‘Advanced Build’ of this proposed title. Jentz, Thomas, and Doyle, Hilary, New Vanguard 37: Sturmgeschutz III and IV 1942–45 Osprey Publishing Ltd: Oxford, 2001 Continuing Osprey’s look at the Sturmgeschütz series, this book deals with the long-barrel gunned vehicles, including the StuG IV. Parada, George, and Jabtonski, Stanislaw, StuG III in Miniature Kagero Publishing: Lublin, 2001 This little book describes the build of three StuG III models in both English and Polish. There are numerous valuable museum photos included, many of the interior of a StuG IIIG. The decal sheet included with this Kagero book was used for the StuG IIIB and early StuG IIIG. Spielberger, J., Sturmgeschütz and its Variants Schiffer Publishing Ltd: Atglen, Pennsylvania, 1993 Rather expensive in comparison to some of the softcover references, this hardbound volume from Spielberger’s ‘German Armour and Military Vehicles’ series is packed with technical information, reference drawings and photographs, all of an extremely high quality. Not only are the StuG III and IV covered in all

of their variants, but information and pictures on the factories that built them and the support vehicles that served with them are featured. Sturm & Drang No. 2 StuG III Sencha-Magazine Co. Ltd: Tokyo, 1992 Basically a valuable photo album of StuG III reference pictures from World War II, this book also includes detail drawings and colour profiles. Also included are museum pictures of both interior and exterior StuG III details.

Magazines Blackwell, James, ‘Late War StuG’ AFV Modeller, Vol. 1, November/December 2001 Cockle, Tom, ‘Alkett’s Howitzer’ Military in Scale, Vol. 105, August 2001 Lievonen, Jari, ‘Sturmhaubitz 42’ AFV Modeller, Vol. 10, May/June 2003

Websites www.missing-lynx.com is an extremely well-populated website devoted to all AFV modelling with galleries, numerous discussion groups and useful links. A ‘tweak list’ to the Revell/DML StuG IIIG is located at http://missinglinks2.tripod.com/index.htm and was compiled by Andrew Hall. Other popular sites include www.armorama.com, www.planetarmor.com and www.track-link.net. www.achtungpanzer.com has a good write up on the history of all of the StuG III variants, along with other tanks and AFVs. http://www.andreaslarka.net/sturmi.html is a website created by Andreas Larka dedicated to Finnish armour of World War II, and has a very well-researched and informative section on the 59 StuG IIIG vehicles that were bought by the Finnish during the war.

http://ampsnz.hobbyvista.com/content.htm, Kiwi Tracks, is a website of the New Zealand AMPS chapter maintained by Lance Whitford. The information content is well researched and extremely valuable to the modeller. Lance has presented an article on modelling the wheels of the Panzer/StuG III showing both model kit and real examples.

Available kits and accessories

Due to the popularity of the subject, the number of detail sets for the StuG III is fairly extensive. The following list chronicles the related kits and accessories available the time of writing, February 2006.

1/76-scale complete kits Fujimi StuG IIID Fujimi Sturmgeschütz III Ausf G MMS Models StuG IIIA, B & F (cast-metal kits)

Dragon’s kit of the StuG IIIB, released in 1992, was used to build the model in the first chapter. It was the first injection-moulded kit of the early StuG III variants in 1/35 scale and started a trend of releases of the Sturmgeschütz III series.

Modelkasten have produced a couple of detail accessory kits that can be used for the StuG III. In addition to the late return rollers seen in the Special Feature section, drive sprockets and the detail set were other additions used on the latter two models in this book.

The drive sprocket set includes options for early or later drive housings, and early or later outer-rings.

Tamiya’s Stug IIIG (Frühe version) was the basic kit for two models in this book, and is well detailed and engineered. To produce an accurate model from this kit, some modifications are needed.

1/72-scale complete kits Airfix 75 mm Assault Gun Revell StuG 40 Ausf. G (late)

1/48-scale complete kits Tamiya Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. B (Sd.Kfz.142) (32507)

1/35-scale complete kits Tamiya Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G Assault Gun (35197) Tamiya Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. B (Sd.Kfz.142) (35281) DML/Dragon StuG III Ausf. A ‘Michael Wittmann’ (9031) DML/Dragon 1/35 German StuG III Ausf. B SdKfz 142 (6008) (sold as an Italeri kit No. 283) DML/Dragon Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. C/D Assault Gun (6009) DML/Dragon StuG III Ausf. F Assault Gun (6033) DML/Dragon StuG III Ausf. F/8 Assault Gun (9013) DML/Dragon Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. F ‘Ostketten’ (9028)

DML/Dragon SdKfz 142/1 StuG III Ausf. G 75mm Assault Gun (9014) DML/Dragon StuG III Ausf. G SPG with 10.5cm Gun (9058)

Accessories and detail sets (1/48 scale) Acu-Stion Sturmgeschütz IV Ausf.B (Sd.kfz.142) Etched Set (4805) Atelier Infinite Stug III Individual Track links (48-005) Finemolds metal barrel for the Tamiya 1:48 StuG III Ausf. B Hauler etched-metal detail set for the Tamiya 1/48 scale StuG IIIB (HLX48003) Lion Roar etched-metal detail set for Tamiya StuG III Ausf. B (LA48002) Voyager Models etched-metal detail set for Tamiya StuG III Ausf. B (VPE 48007)

Accessories and detail sets (1/35 scale) Aber StuG III Ausf. B, C, D (AB35021) Aber StuG III Ausf. G (early) (AB35022) Aber StuG III Ausf. G (late) (AB35023) Aber StuG III Ausf. A (AB35039) Aber side skirts for Sturmgeschütz III G – Early (AB35A22) Aber side skirts for Sturmgeschütz III G – Later (AB35A23) Aber fenders for PzKpfw III, StuG III (AB35A27) Aber rings between roadwheels for PzKpfw III & StuG III (AB35A52)

Aber StuG III Late fenders pattern 140 x 400mm (51/2in. x 19/16in.) (ABPP15) Eduard Zimmerit StuG III Ausf. G 1/35 for the Tamiya kit (35491) Eduard Zimmerit StuG III Ausf. G 1/35 for the DML kit (35751) Eduard Zimmerit StuG III Ausf. G waffle 1/35 for the DML kit (35752) Eduard Zimmerit StuG III Ausf. G waffle 1/35 for the Tamiya kit (35536) Eduard StuG III Ausf. G 1/35 detail set for Tamiya kit (35365) Eduard Schürzen StuG III Ausf. G for Tamiya kit (35372) Eduard turned aluminium barrel for Tamiya Early StuG IIIG (34034) Lion Roar Panzer III/StuG III mudguard (early type) for Dragon Models’ StuG IIIA, B, C, D, F (LR AM015) Lion Roar StuG IIIG early production for Tamiya 35197 (LR E35009) Lion Roar StuG IIIA/B/C/D for Dragon (LR E35032) Lion Roar StuG III, Ausf. F (for DML6033 and 9028) (LR E35048) Modelkasten Panzer III/IV Type A (SK-18) Modelkasten Panzer III/IV late model, type B (SK-22) Modelkasten Panzer III/IV early 36cm model (Pz. III Stug III) (SK-26) Modelkasten Panzer III/StuG III drive sprockets (A-06) Modelkasten StuG III parts set (brackets and fittings) (A-07) Royal Model StuG III Ausf. B, C, D (DML kit) (photo-etch) (RM106) Royal Model StuG IIIF (DML kit) (photo-etch) (RM109) Royal Model StuG III Ausf. G Part 1 (Tamiya kit) (photo-etch and resin) (RM121)

Royal Model StuG III Ausf. G Part 2 (Tamiya kit) (photo-etch) (RM122) Royal Model stowage StuG G (Tamiya) (RM130) Royal Model stowage StuG F (Dragon) (RM134) Royal Model Schürzen StuG III Tamiya kit (photo-etch) (RM150)

Interior detail sets Caliber 35 PzKpfw III/StuG III engine compartment and HL120 TRM engine (CAL35006) CMK PzKpfw III – engine set for Tamiya StuG III (Maybach ML 120TRM) (3021) CMK StuG III – interior of fighting compartment set for Tamiya StuG IIIG (3024) CMK StuG III – driver’s area set for Tamiya StuG IIIG (3052) CMK StuH 42 – interior set for Tamiya StuG IIIG (with 10.5cm howitzer) (3053) CMK StuG III – exterior set (individual modification) (3054) Jaguar interior set for Dragon Models’ StuG IIIF (JA63507) Jaguar interior set for Tamiya StuG IIIG (JA63515 Jaguar interior for Dragon Models’ StuG IIID (JA63516) Jaguar StuG III 7.5cm ammunition (JA63508)

Resin Zimmerit sets Atak waffle-pattern Zimmerit for Tamiya StuG IIIG (35010)

Atak waffle-pattern Zimmerit for Dragon Models’ StuG IIIG (35022) Cavalier Zimmerit for Tamiya StuG IIIG (0115)

Chesapeake Model Designs’ resin accessories Stug IIIG – early conversion – (Tamiya Kit) (CMD-28) Stug IIIG – final pattern (CMD-30) Stug IIIG welded mantlet with aluminium 75mm barrel (CMD-33A) Stug IIIG welded mantlet with aluminium 105mm barrel (CMD-33B) Stug IIIG cast mantlet with aluminium 105mm barrel and muzzle brake (CMD33C) Stug IIIG cast mantlet with aluminium 105mm barrel (CMD-33D)

Miscellaneous accessories MIG Productions StuG III waffle-pattern Zimmerit tools (MP 35-135) Ordinance Models Sturmgeschütz Zimmerit tools (G-100) Kuivalainen StuG IIIG detail set (Finnish conversion) (JS-40) Kuivalainen Zimmerit tool (waffle pattern) (JS-19) Kuivalainen Finnish StuG III stowage box (JS-21)

1. Dunkelgrau The StuG IIIB vehicles were painted in dunkelgrau RAL 7021. This was the colour of German AFVs from July 1940 until February 1943, according to documented orders, with the exception of vehicles scheduled for shipment to North Africa. Floquil’s Weathered Black was used for this colour, which was heavily weathered thereafter.

2. Dunkelgelb As of February of 1943, German AFVs left the factory in a dunkelgelb base paint, RAL 7028. The dunkelgelb colour used on the models is a combination of Tamiya’s XF-60 Dark Yellow and XF-59 Desert Yellow, mixed to a 4:1 ratio. This ratio was determined by reference to an original piece of equipment. There is variation in tone when applied to different base colours on the models.

3. Olivgrün camouflage over dunkelgelb Applied to German AFVs as part of the three-colour camouflage scheme, this colour later became a base colour for a short period late in 1944. The green wavy lines represent the camouflage pattern painted onto the StuG IIIG early version. The Tamiya paint used to make the olivgrün was eight parts XF-65 Field Grey to one part XF-58 Olive Green.

4. Rotbraun and olivgrün camouflage over dunkelgelb In combination with the olivgrün, rotbraun (RAL 8017) was applied in spray and brush form on the vehicles as part of the three-colour scheme after February 1943. Tamiya’s Red Brown XF-64 was mixed with their Black XF-1 in a 6:1 ratio to obtain an acrylic match to Model Master’s Schokoladenbraun enamel. The chart shows the spotted pattern applied to the May 1944 production model.

5. Red primer Red oxide primer, painted on as a preservative undercoat, became part of the three-colour scheme and a base colour for German AFVs late in the war. Vallejo Cavalry Brown and Hull Red were combined to match a primer example from a piece of Zimmerit. This colour was useful for adding to the interior of both the StuG IIID and StuG IIIG early version. A lacquer-based equivalent, used for the engine bay and other components of the Early StuG IIIG interior, was Floquil’s Oxide Red.

6. Gelbbraun Vehicles in the Afrika Korps were finished in a base colour of RAL 8000 gelbbraun, and given a camouflage pattern of RAL 7008 graugrün over onethird of the surface. In March 1942 this was changed to two new colours – RAL 8020 braun and RAL 7027 grau, which were both lighter in tone. Since the StuG IIID was delivered before March 1942, the first combination was used to paint the vehicle. Tamiya’s XF-59 and XF-60 were mixed 50:50 to obtain an acrylic match to Testors’ Model Master enamel RAL 8000.

7. Graugrün The camouflage colour added to the base of RAL 8000 on the StuG IIID model was graugrün RAL 7008. Tamiya’s XF-49 Khaki was a good match for Testor’s Model Master enamel 7008.

8. Dirt (Weathering) One of the colours used on each of these models was a combination of Tamiya acrylics that was airbrushed on as part of the weathering process. Tamiya XF-49 Khaki, XF-57 Buff and XF-52 Flat Earth were combined in an even ratio, then thinned down to only 5 per cent paint to thinner. This diluted mix was sprayed in and around the running gear, and concentrated on the rear end of the model. This process subdued the bright look of the decals and freshly sprayed camouflage.

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Painting and Finishing Techniques

To order any of these titles, or for more information on Osprey Publishing, contact: North America E-mail: [email protected] UK & Rest of World E-mail: [email protected] www.ospreypublishing.com

First published in Great Britain in 2006 by Osprey Publishing, Midland House, West Way, Botley, Oxford OX2 0PH, UK 443 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016, USA E-mail: [email protected]

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Dedication

This title is dedicated to the memory of the late Jack Seeley from Seaham, Co. Durham, who inspired me to take up this hobby.

Author’s note

I wish to acknowledge the following people for their generosity in supplying products for use in this book:

Frank van der Breggen of The Barrel Store www.bentbutnotbroken.com

Pavla Harazimova of Czech Master’s Kits CMK, Mezilesí 718, 193 00 Praha 9, Czech Republic, phone 00420-2-81923909, fax. 00420-2-81923910 http://www.cmkkits.com/en/index.php

Freddie Leung of Dragon Models Ltd Kong Nam Industrial Building 10/FL, B1, 603-609 Castle Peak Road Tsuen Wan, N.T., Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2493-0215 Fax: (852) 2411-0587 www.dragon-models.com

I’d also like to thank my good friends Marianne Yarmuch, Tom Cockle, Steve van Beveren and Jim Carswell for donating their time and effort to help me in the preparation of the title.