Tamiya StuG III Ausf. B

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Hope you are having a great July 4th weekend!

I signed up for Turretless GB and Tamiya StuG III Ausf. B was my choice. I bought this Tamiya kit at Hobby Lobby using 40% coupon. Yup, I am a cheap a$$ like some of you guys. [:P] It was a recent release and it comes with small amount of PE parts & aluminum gun barrel. The build experience was good but it was too short with low count of parts. The kit track came in as rubber bands so I opted for MK tracks with help from wbill, thank you wbill! Also, I used AM cable because the kit set wasn’t that great.

The forum has been very helpful for me to build my second armor since my return after 20+ years break. Great tips how to paint the wheels & tracks, MIG weathering pigments, which colors to paint, using the pencil, how to paint wood and many more that I couldn’t list 'em all. Thank you guys! [Y]

Please bear with me as I am still trying to figure out how to use my new digital camera Nikon CoolPix A570 that I bought few days ago.

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I was too chicken to try dot filtering procedure this time. But I tried the MIG weathering pigment called ‘Panzer Grey (Fading)’ and I liked it very much. You can look at more pictures of the weathering results in the Turretless GB on page 10 if you wish. Then I applied second coat using Light Brown & Dark Brown MIG Washer and I nearly ruined my first weathing job. I think I was supposed to apply some protective coating before I apply second weathering? Help me here! [8-)]

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Tools… used MM Wood then applied W&N Burnt Umber oil paint. Then MM Gunmetal dry brushed with MM Steel. MIG Light Rust was used on some tools…

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Interior pictures… I wish I bought AM stuff for interior because Tamiya kit wasn’t that detailed. I drilled holes to hold potato mashers like shown in my reference books. The range finder part broke… I need to have it fixed by inserting a wire to hold it together because the cazy glue couldn’t hold it together. It was one of two struggles I have had with this kit… PE part was so fragile that it snapped often.

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I apologize for allowing my StuG crew to live like a bunch of pigs…

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Playing with my new camera… I think it works better if I can take pictures outside?

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I used the camera’s flash… result was different but it showed its true color. Do you guys use camera flash or not?

!(http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww137/aleffler/Stug III Ausf B/DSCN0137.jpg)

Finally, I want to thank detailfreak for his countless support especially the pictures he found about my StuG. You have to look at the pictures he posted. And of course Thunderbolt379 for taking his time too!

Comments welcomed… thank you for looking!

2

Nice all around job!

3

Very good looking tank…

4

Hey Deafpanzer,

Lovely work my friend!

I love these early short barreled StuGs. I built the Ausf A version from Dragon but I’ve seen the Tamiya one and think it is actually a little better! I used Fruils on mine and had a lot of help from WBill too-he gave me a link to his BLOG from when he built the same kit that I was building so I stuck to that.

Top job!

ATVB

Ben [:D]

5

Great overall job,interior looks great.

6

Nicely done Andy. I did the 1/48 version a couple of years ago.

Regards, Rick

7

TD4438, Harshman and Anthony2779- Many thanks for your comments!

Ben- I can’t tell you how many times I had to go back to wbill website. LOL I want to do StuG III G soon but I haven’t bought a kit… I’d love to build one of each StuG variants from A to G if my life allows me to. Thanks!

Rick- Thanks! You gonna love those StuGs…

8

Andy,

Wow, that’s some sharp work especially for only being your 2nd build back at the hobby! [Y] [Y]

On your question of the flash, it’s generally a good idea not to use it. For static small-scale subjects it has a tendency to be too harsh and great stark contrasts. Outdoor or “natural” lighting works much better but is obviously not something you can control. The best controlled lighting is diffused lighting using a light tent, here’s a link on how to do a very cheap/simple DIY tent if you’re interested in going down that road. http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent

9

Alright,you get back over to the G.B. forum this instant,hahahaha.Just kiddin man,I was wondering when you would get around to sharing this with everyone. I dont think some wander very far from the armor forum LOL.[Y]

10

wbill, like I said, I wouldn’t have done any better without reading your toots. I hope you don’t know how many times I have gone to your website. [:D] Setting up a light tent is one of my projects for me to do this year. Thanks for the great link. My wife and I decided to go back to store to return Nikon for Canon camera. Its autofocus isn’t that great at close shots.

Its not really my second build but for sure its my second armor model. Actually its the fourth build since my return because I didn’t count that wingy thing I built for my boy earlier and a helicopter for my another son but it was good way to improve my airbrushing and decaling before I attack my armor models. It looks like I owe you [B][B][B]… that’s three… first for the 234/1 toot, second for the MK tracks, and third for the StuG toot.

detailfreak, you got to be kidding me… I promised myself to complete four GBs this year. That’s my motivation despite my hectic work and family schedules. Again, I can’t thank you enough for keeping me entertained back at the GB. I owe you one big [B]!

11

It’s nothing but a pleasure for me.[B]

12

I am building this same kit now. How did you build the track holder on the front hull? Did you just glue the extra roadwheels on the back deck?

I like your tow cable idea, what did you use for this cable?

I also saw a photo of handles on the smaller, gunsight hatches, so I built 2 out of wire. I am not sure holw accurate this was.

13

Deafpanzer yeah it is essential to put a protective coating after a layer of weathering. I use Tamiya flat clear for this , because it’s cheap, reliable, and dries fast so I can get back into the action! Good stug, I LOVE the interior!

14

Nice StuG. Going with the MK’s was a solid choice. Tedious, but worth the time.

Couple of things I noticed, the handles of the cutters I believe were a darkish grey (feel free anyone to correct me), they were made of some sort of composite plastic. Hope I’m right about that. The tow cables should not be rusted, I should have known that myself and erred on my KV. My apologies if it’s dirt and not rust. On my screen it looks more on the rusty side.

I was wondering if you tried the grey pigs on the tires? I’m thinking about it on some projects I’ve got going.

Again, nicely understated StuG.

15

Welcome back to the hobby! Very sharp looking build, and a great subject!

Chris

16

Deafpanzer, Welcome back to the hobby! Your second armor kit eh? I like this Stug that you’ve shared with us. Nicely done sir. As for the dot filter, just dive right in. It really isn’t all that bad. When I started using that technique I actually when too light with it. It will be another skill set you’ll be glad you added to your tool box Keep up the good work. Looking forward to seeing more of your work Cheers Dave

17

Very nice, very nice indeed.

Asa to the cutters handles, and again I stand to be corrected as well, you are right Eric they were made of a composite material. Something like… or actually being… Bakelite. This would have been a red/brown color but solid in tone. Not wood grain.

18

Hey Iraqiwildman! Yes I do remember you buying same kit from Hobby Lobby as suggested. Don’t glue the gun sight until you are almost done if you haven’t. Mine broke off several times! Lesson learned… glue fragile parts when I am done painting and weathering, etc.

Here’s my answers to your questions…

I am building this same kit now. How did you build the track holder on the front hull? Did you just glue the extra roadwheels on the back deck?

I like your tow cable idea, what did you use for this cable?

Track holder- Yes, I glued the spare track holder that came with the kit onto the hull. It wasn’t in the instructions. Many pictures showed that way. Then I added nuts from Bolt & Nut set from MK to match one I saw in one of my reference books.

Extra roadwheels- Again it was not in the instructions so I had to do a great deal of research on this with help from my GB buddies especially detailfreak and thunderbolt. Not all StuG III B held their spare wheels the same way! TB suggested me to look if there’s pivot rod came as spares with the kit and he was RIGHT! Here’s the picture of the part and the real picture of StuG I wanted to follow… on top of rear engine access doors.

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Tow cable- I agree as the kit set was horrible. I bought this at AMPS show in Auburn for $8 I think… but unfortunately I broke one of the ends as I found it to be too fragile but I liked the cable itself. I used the spare ends from the kit. So be careful if you want to use same AM.

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Hope this helps… good luck with your build!

19

Total American Patriot, thanks for your nice comment and answer to my question! I figured I should have applied a protective coating first after I discovered my mistake… you can call it a learning experience for me! [:D] I bought this because my LHS doesn’t sell Tamiya flat clear… will it work guys?

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20

Thanks Tigerman! It is good hearing from you. I agree about MK tracks as I love those. I had to glue the guide horns along with the pins so it was pretty challenging and required more time. I was told it is not like that for all MK tracks. I used the grey pigs on the tires but not on the rubbers. It was the fun part! No worries about the cutters… I found a great picture in one of my reference books.

!(http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww137/aleffler/Stug III Ausf B/IMG01308-20100706-1044.jpg)

You gonna love those Walk Around books from Squadron/Signal Publications!