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Forums - Modelling / Kits |
The kits forum is for the discussion of model kits. Typically questions on availability or certain subjects and quality of existing kits are posted here. Short reviews are good here too. |
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| Subject: | Re: Dragon stug III ausf A, LAH Barbarossa 1941 |  |
| Date: | Jan 19, 2005 |
| From: | Steve Frost | |
If you follow the kit directions, you get a "regular" production StuG A. That should be fine for a France invasion vehicle, I think, because StuG III B's weren't rolling off the line yet, although some of the modifications for the "B" were being seen in "A" (see below). Spielberger's StuG tome lists two units using StuG III A's, Grossdeutchland and LAH. I think the kit LAH markings should work okay too, but I'm not certain and have no clue what units used what markings. In the interest of full disclosure, though, I like StuG's and discovered the following info while comparing the Spielberger book to the DML Michael Wittman StuG III A kit.
DML's Michael Wittman StuG III A is a mishmash of two variants, and both are almost complete in the one box, for the most part. In essence, by doing some cutting other than specified in the kit, leaving the parts on the kit where it says to cut off/out, using some of the not-to-be-used parts, and adding others, it's a "modified" StuG III A.
Some StuG III A's used Panzer III chassis but with an upper hull configuration for a B, specifically the gunner's hatches. These vehicles retained:
- the Panzer III chassis side escape hatches
- the Panzer III maintenance hatches on the glacis, hinged front and rear
- the two vent cowlings seen on Panzer III's on the upper nose plate for the steering brakes
The upper hull cutouts called for in the DML directions are to replace the "B" gunner's hatches with "A" ones. By doing the following, you get this "modified" StuG A:
- leaving those "B" gunner's hatches as is
- using the escape hatch part for the lower chassis (DML has you sand off the outline for this part)
- absconding some maintenance hatches and cowlings from another Panzer III kit
By following the kit directions, you get the "regular" StuG A. it would take some extensive surgery to get a "B" out of the "A" kit though, particualrly on the lower chassis. The first retun roller was moved forward on the "B", to help alleviate throwing the track.
Thanks for reading, and I hope this helps, despite its length,
Steve |
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