|
|
|
Kit, DML 7354, StuG.III Ausf.G Early Production w/Schurzen DRAGON MODELS LIMITED Product Specifications. 7354, StuG.III Ausf.G Early Production w/Schurzen. 1/72nd-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 148 styrene parts, two DS100 track lengths, one etched metal fret, six water-slide decal marking schemes and six pages of instructions in seven steps. Introduction. DMLs latest release in 1/72nd-scale allows the small-scale modeler to replicate the Sturmgeschutz III Ausf.G with Schurzen (skirts). These thin sheet metal plates were mounted on racks on each side of a vehicle, beginning in 1943, to combat the effect of Soviet infantry anti-tank rifles. These close-in weapons could penetrate the side armor of nearly every contemporary German tank and assault gun of the 1943-44 era, including the vaunted Panther. Additionally, although not noted in the instructions, parts are given to mount a 10.5cm StuH42 as well as the standard 7.5cm StuK40. Tracks. These come loosely packed in a two bags and are so-called Magic Tracks. The tracks, presented in DS100 flexible styrene lengths, represent the 40cm-wide links that had solid guide horns and plain cleat faces. These tracks can be assembled and attached with standard styrene cement, easing the modelers work-load. Suspension System. The road-wheels are conventionally molded in inner and outer pieces, with integral rubber tires. The outer faces of the wheel hubs feature perforations and weld beads where appropriate. On the inner faces, the pins (or tubes?) that helped join the wheel halves together are molded on providing an unprecedented level of detail in this regard. Spare road wheels and spare track pins are also given for stowage. The return rollers are slide-molded as a single part for each pair. The drive sprockets come as conventional inner and outer pieces and are completely detailed. The idler wheels are also in inner and outer parts. Bump stops, slide-molded shock absorbers and final drive housings (as well as mounting plates for the latter, which have the holes for tow hooks) are also separate parts Hull. The main part of the hull comes from a slide-mold so it is fully detailed on all faces. This includesthe road-wheel swing arm units, idler wheel axle and bump stops; the shock absorbers, as well as the final drive housings are separate parts The bow and glacis plates are combined as a single, slide-molded part. The configuration represents the base armor of 50mm, with the bolted 30mm plate. It has crisply-rendered nut and bolt heads that are all at different individual angles. The latter is certainly a nice touch. The hull rear plate has separate tow points, baffles and exhaust pipe/muffler assemblies. These last come with opened pipe ends. Finally, an etched brass screen is provided to be placed under the superstructure over-hang. The separate glacis plate also depicts the type with a 50mm armor basis and also has a separate part to depict the bolted-on 30mm applique plate. On this is mounted Notek black-out driving head-lamp. The split-style final drive/brake drum access hatch lids are molded in place. Separate track-guardss are provided, with the main parts being detailed on the top and bottom surfaces; neither is marred by ejector pin marks. There are a number of styrene and etched brass parts added to these main parts so that all braces, etc. can be depicted in great detail. Most of the tools are molded in place, but some are separate. Added to the track-guards are a jack, jack block, and tool box, all slide-molded. One-piece, all-styrene tow cables, a fire extinguisher and convoy tail-lamp are also attached. The tools have nice clasp details, which should be especially welcome in this small scale. Superstructure. The engine deck is a separate part and is configured much like the original; the entire assembly can be left off to depict an engine change. Coming from a slide mold, it has details on all faces including various styles of plate and weld detail as well as attachment flanges and bolt heads. It is of the type that was not inter-locked along the top side edges. The four hatch lids are molded in place, while the armored guards that surmount the hatch lids are separate parts. A separate tool box as well as gun tube bore swabs and staffs are also mounted here, while more tools are mounted on the side walls. At the side are proper air intake vents, with the correct means of attachment to the walls, including their internal openings. These are topped by etched brass screens. Alternate parts with molded-on screens are also given. The casemate is also configured as a separate part and attaches much like the original. It comes from a slide-mold and features excellent weld and panel details, mounting strips and bolt heads, all molded in place. Likewise, the roof plate is part of this molding. The casemate sides lift rings are molded in place, while the rear face features separate antennae mounts and flexible rubber bases (but no rod antennae), spare track rack and cover for the exhaust fan. At the forward edge of the casemate, there are two banks of three smoke grenade dischargers, each consisting of a single, slide-molded part, with opened bores. The roof plate has fine recessed screw head details around its edges, as well as hinge, weld and panel details, all molded on. Separate parts for the loaders machine-gun shield (complete with an MG34) are provided, as well as for his hatchs lids. Alternate closed lids are also given. The commanders cupola is a multi-part affair with optional scissors telescope. The separate hatch lid for it is a two-part affair with separate periscope flap. An alternate single part is provided to depict it closed. Up front there are separate armor plates as well as a closed drivers view port cover. The gun mantlet is the welded/bolted type; it comes from a slide-mold and is completely detailed with proper weld beads and bolts. The 7.5cm gun tube is a single, slide-molded part with molded-on muzzle brake. The 10.5cm tube is presented in the same fashion. Each has a different mantlet front with integral collar. Schurzen and Mounts. The Schurzen are based on single parts to represent each side. Their brackets and mounting rails are all separate, so they can be modeled with or without the Schurzen in place. Molding, Fit and Engineering. Slide-molds have been used in a very intelligent way either to allow for better detail rendition, or for ease of assembly. On visible surfaces, not a single ejector pin mark was found and there was no shrinkage of any kind. I am passing this kit on to a fellow modeler who is a master in Braille Scale, so I have not test firtted any of these parts. Accuracy. As far as I could tell, using the scale drawings in reference 1 and 2, this kit is extremely accurate in its shapes and angles. Decals and Markings Information. The decals are the usual excellent Italian product from Cartograf. They are crisp, in register and have thin, closely-cropped carrier film. Markings and painting guide for six assault guns are given as follows: SS-StuG.Abt.2,
2.SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division Das Reich, Kursk 1943. Instructions. These are in the conventional drawn style and are in color. Conclusion. Since
both the 7.5cm and the 10.5cm armament is included in this box, this
is quite a complete kit of a post-January 1943 production variant of
the StuG.III Ausf.G. It is well-designed for ease of assembly and has
some detail refinements not often seen, even in many of the latest 1/72nd-scale
kits to hit the market
- Frank V. De Sisto Copyright 1998-2010 Dragon Models Limited. All Rights Reserved |