MiniArt's Sturmgeschutz III Ausf.G May-June 1943 Alkett Prod...

In our preview, we look at the CADs, sprues decals, etch profiles & the real subjects from this boxing…

Preview: Sturmgeschutz III Ausf.G May-June 1942 Alkett Prod. We look at the CADs, sprues, decals, etch, profiles & the real subjects from this boxing in our preview…

Preview: Sturmgeschutz III Ausf.G May-June 1943 Alkett Prod. from MiniArt…

Sturmgeschutz III Ausf.G May-June 1943 Alkett Prod.

From MiniArt

Kit No #35341

1/35th scale

The kit contains five marking choices in the box.

Photo-etch & clear parts are included

The Subject: The StuG III Ausf.G / Sturmgeschutz III / Sd.Kfz. 142
Sturmgeschutz (or StuG) meaning “assault gun” was a simple derivative of the Panzer III signed for infantry support, but it ended as one of the most important German vehicles of WWII. It was a real Wehrmacht warhorse, with its low profile and low price. The vehicle could be used as a close-support vehicle or a tank hunter, and soldiered without interruption from North Africa through Europe to Russia. The crews loved it because of its low profile and good armour, and the infantry it was supporting was grateful for its firepower and availability.

A machine seen in this boxing, this StuG III Ausf.G assault gun from the 2nd company SS-StuG.Abt.10 during training in France in 1943. The division was provided with 42 StuGs between June and August 1943. And in January 1944 it was disbanded to create the 7th and 8th tank companies SS-Pz.Rgt.10.

The Ausfuhrung G model stood apart from the other production versions. It was, in essence, the main production run for the entire StuG series, with more than 8400 rolling of the line from December 1942 to April 1945, equivalent to the total production of all Panzer IV types combined.

Another machine that is captured in this boxing is this “223” from the 10th Panzer Division, “Frundsberg”, 2/StuG.Abt.10, from France in 1943

Being transported by rail in the summer of 1943. The StuG.Abt.276 is seen in the Eastern Front near Fastov. The Panzerschurtzen are used on new tank destroyers that do not have factory-applied Zimmwerit. You can see one of the vehicles fromt his boxing, called “Strolch” in the photo.

Simplification and standardization helped to further reduce costs and delays. It was decided to simplify the main structure. Casemate sides have been extended to half the width of the mudguards, eliminating the side-sloped armored boxes. The extra space allowed for the storage of more rounds. The rear of the engine/fighting chamber was reinforced, and the ventilation fan was relocated farther back. Applique armour became standard. Furthermore, the upper MG-34 was factory-fitted, protected by a guard for the operator’s protection.

“Mid” Alkett Production in 1943
By May 1943, Alkett started fitting Schurzen (spaced armoured side skirts) to the tanks, but it was rushed out, and the fixations were later proven inadequate at Kursk (this was corrected in March 1944). Alkett used 80 mm (3.15″) armor plates instead of the applique. Alkett delivered 7500 StuGs while MIAG produced 2586. Alkett converted 173 Panzer IIIs into StuG III Ausf.G-standard vehicles, while 142 of them were based upon the Panzer III Ausf.M chassis. By March 1943 the driver’s periscop was dropped due to simplification. Due to the absence of rubber, metal return rollers had to be used. In June 1944 it was upgraded to a coaxial MG 34. A rotating cupola was adopted with periscopes. This later changed to a fixed and welded version due to a sudden shortage in ball bearings. The shot deflectors were standardised by February 1944. The kit preview: MiniArt’s Sturmgeschutz II Ausf.G, May-June 1944 Alkett Product…

This kit is a follow-up to the MiniArt StuG Ausf.G. The Stugs in this kit were produced in Alkett’s plant from May -June 1943. Two sheets of photo-etch are included in this kit. We also know that two sheets of photo-etch is included in the kit.

Miniart give the option of extra tracks, the sperate shurtzen so you can leave some off if you like.

You can see in blue the optional tracks on the front and rear for extra armour or just carrying them on the rear.
You can see th “all-on” shurtzen here with these two alternate configureations.

The two different engine decks are shown in this comparison…

Tank repair & pioneer tools are included in this kit.

A close up of the running grea od the StuG – showing the detail afforded to this kit’s every corner.

The plastic layout & photo-etch:

Several sprues including light greay and one clear sprue make up most of this kit. The kit is a normal (no interior) kit that gives the great detail of this series, but without the inteior ‘s time to construct and the risk of a bad fit transferring on to tother parts of the model…

Clear sprue of the pericsope lenses incuded…

Two sheets of photo-etch are include d- one mostly for the Shurzten and the other the finer parts of the kit that can’t be replicated successfully (or are too fragile) in plastic.