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6454
10.5cm Sturmhaubitze 42 Ausf.G w/zimmerit
1/35 injection plastic kit with decals and photo etch
Based on the Sturmgeschutz (StuG) III, the Sturmhaubitze (StuH) were
armed with a 10.5cm howitzer and provided infantry with mobile support
artillery capable of taking out enemy troops protected by bunkers, buildings
and the like. The Sturmhaubitze 42 Ausf. G entered series production
in May 1943 and was built by Alkett alongside the StuG III Ausf G. All
early production, and many later production StuH has the squared gun
mantlet. Most StuH, were covered in zimmerit, and like StuG III assembled
by Alkett had a distinctive stamped zimmerit pattern. For modelers this
pattern with its large square grid stamps each containing with a waffle
pattern (of smaller squares) is extremely hard to replicate, such that
most AFV modelers I know choose to avoid it.
This new release of the Sturmhaubitze comes with the waffle pattern
zimmerit molded onto all parts that had zimmerit. For modelers this
will be a welcome relief, which will save time and for many the cost
of purchasing an aftermarket resin zimmerit.
Slide-molding is used to achieve a first rate zimmerit effect which
compares very favourably to photos. The pre-zimmerited parts are the
one piece lower hull tub, rear upper hull over the vent, lower and upper
front armour, engine deck, fighting compartment superstructure and drivers
vision flap. On the hull tub the zimmerit is authentically reproduced
with an unenven band of the zimmerit on half of the hull・s side plates.
MODULAR FORMAT
The Sturmhaubitze is based on the StuG III G Early Smart Kit and shares
its modular design. The major subassemblies, which are based around
one large piece, are the lower hull/running chassis, the upper superstructure,
the engine deck, and the gun mount/floor of the fighting compartment.
These modules come together in the last two steps. This approach allows
modelers to neatly divide construction over several modeling sessions
and offers some benefits for painting. The kit includes wire for the
tow cables and Photo etch for all mesh screens/grilles, the rear idler
rims, some upper fender supports (which looks quite sharp) and the internal
collar ring of the commander・s cupola.
The gatefold instructions have 19 steps of line drawings that are clearly
laid out and, straightforward.
When built as per the instructions this kit is representative of a StuH
42 Ausf G produced from October 1943 when the armoured deflector in
front of the cupola was first fitted and shortly after zimmerit was
first applied in the factories. This kit has a one piece 80mm frontal
armour, return rollers with rubber tires, and a shield to protect the
loader while he exposed himself firing the roof mounted machine gun.
By leaving off the armored deflector (part B40) one of the first StuH
with zimmerit could be built.
Many StuH with zimmerit were fitted with schurzen (side skirts) and
while not included in this kit, is readily available as aftermarket
PE. This kit correctly does not include the smoke dischargers, which
had been dropped prior to the introduction of zimmerit.
The 10.5cm StuH 42 L/28 howitzer barrel tube and muzzle break are from
the Heuschreke. This is a one piece injection plastic barrel with fine
detail around the break and its collar. The StuK 40 from the StuG III
is included as a spare allowing more construction options.
HULL
The lower hull is a one-piece tub with slide-molding used to provide
detail such as weld seams on the bottom and counter sunk holes on the
sides, as well as the previously noted zimmerit. The suspension arms
are separate parts, which are linked to the separate internal torsion
bar suspension arms. The angle of the arms could be adjusted to provide
flexibility for use in dioramas. The rear idlers have photo-etched rims.
The road wheels have the tyre and rim as one piece (two units per station),
and like the return rollers now feature the Continenta(U) brand name
on the sidewalls.
Separate parts are provided for small detail such as the track tension
adjusters, rear bump stop, exhaust deflector, frame for the deflector,
and starter port cover. Many of these parts have been slide molded and
the exhaust pipes have hollowed out ends.
The side fenders have an impressive anti-skid pattern on the upper surface
and underside and integrated front and rear fenders. The holes for the
tools are predrilled. The tools have the brackets and clamps cast on
for ease of assembly and the jack is built from four parts plus separate
parts for the brackets. The three-part Notek light on the front glacis
is nicely done.
The tracks are Magic Tracks where each link comes loose, and for most
modelers will require no clean up, although there are two small injector
pin marks on each link which could be shaved off with a hobby knife.
These links are the 40cm wide type with open guide horns and no chevrons
on the outer faces, a type that was common during the mid-war period.
The tracks are asymmetric in that there is a separate set for each side
to reflect the way the track pins were fitted. Each side is separately
packed and has its own shade of grey.
SUPERSTRUCTURE & ENGINE DECK
The superstructure is slide-molded and has crisp details such as the
finely rendered weld marks. There is a separate roof, which would be
useful if you wished to display the detailed internal fighting compartment.
Clear plastic parts are provided for the driver・s vision block, cupola
vision ports, and the main periscope gun sight. The commander・s hatch
has interior details, such as handles and, like the loader・s hatch can
be assembled open or closed.
The engine deck, has zimmerit which in a feature seen on Alkett assembled
self-propelled guns, and all four hatches can be modeled open (you will
need to add your own Maybach engine). The detail underneath the louvers
(which also have zimmerit) is achieved using an extra piece for each
louver and as result is crisper than what I have seen on older Panzer
III family models. The two-part toolbox has crisp padlocks.
FIGHTING COMPARTMENT
This StuH includes a significant amount of interior fitting, which will
satisfy most modelers, when the hatches are left open. The gun is quite
detailed with the breech (borrowed from the StuG・s 7.5cm StuK 40), sights,
hand wheel, gunner・s seat, recuperator cylinders, and recoil guard.
It is attached to a realistic mount that is placed on a floor, which
has anti-skid plate, recessed handles for the access points and a transmission
tunnel. The rear firewall with the ventilator・s fan housing is included
and the side panniers come with two radios mounted in their racks. The
commander・s seat is also included. Other detail such as the spent shell
case, rounds and racks, MP40 with ammunition pouches, as mask canisters,
and headphones could be source from spares or aftermarket sets if you
want to add that finesse.
DECALS
The Cartograf decals provide markings for three StuH from the Eastern
Front. The first is the dark yellow StuH on the box art from and an
unidentified unit, and the other two are whitewashed guns from 202nd
Sturmgescheutz Brigade, Kurland 1945 (black 202 on barrel) and 904th
Sturmgescheutz Brigade, East Prussia 1945 with black 305 and Balkan
Cross on the panniers.
RECOMMENDATION
This new release of the Sturmhaubitze really impressed me. The pre-cast
zimmerit is very realistic and avoids all the problems previously associated
with the complex waffle pattern. Like with the related StuG III G kits,
the tooling is crisp and accurate, and the inclusion of photo etch and
Magic Tracks allows for an impressive model to be made out of the box.
Highly recommended.
-
Neville Lord
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