1/72 scale 10.5cm StuH 42 Ausf.G in Italian front

[Wonsug Jung]

Hi guys,
I'm so happy to have my own vBench here in PA and be able to share thoughts with you as I go along with this build. :thumb:

Searching for posts about StuG in the Missing Lynx axis DG, I came across pictures of this vehicle and determined to represent it with recently released 1/72 DML 7284 kit.

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200803/30/35/c0071335_47ee6829e52fe.jpg

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200803/30/35/c0071335_47ee682a41228.jpg

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200803/30/35/c0071335_47ee682b57993.jpg

http://pds7.egloos.com/pds/200803/30/35/c0071335_47ee682c6d1ef.jpg

http://www.cultura.marche.it/cultura/mostraguerra/dispimage_sik.asp?id=163
http://www.cultura.marche.it/cultura/mostraguerra/dispimage_sik.asp?id=162
http://www.cultura.marche.it/cultura/mostraguerra/dispimage_sik.asp?id=165
http://www.cultura.marche.it/cultura/mostraguerra/dispimage_sik.asp?id=265


http://www.dragon-models.com/catalog/dml/new/7284/7284-poster-s.jpg

I'll use this kit for my build. It is one of the best braille scale kit available but as is always with dragon, not without its faults. :rolleyes:

Wonsug

[Wonsug Jung]

First, I cut the mantlet. I'm not sure if the rear panel of the mantlet is retained in the real vehicle.

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200804/14/35/c0071335_48034e2ed1bde.jpg

Then bore out some bolt holes and added some scratches and shell impacts.
The driver's visor is missing in the real vehicle, but it was hard to get rid of so I just left it shut. :(

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200804/14/35/c0071335_48034e309b409.jpg

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200804/14/35/c0071335_48034e2fedce2.jpg

I had to add plastic card to the frontal armor because it was too narrow.
It is also too thick that I had to thin it with file to have this look.

http://pds7.egloos.com/pds/200804/14/35/c0071335_48034e335395f.jpg

This kit has both parts for StuG and StuH and I used gun collar for Stug and barrel for StuH.

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200803/30/35/c0071335_47ee67f4a4d62.jpg

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200803/30/35/c0071335_47ee67f3899d5.jpg

I also adjusted suspension arms to match the real vehicle.

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200804/14/35/c0071335_48034e3155c9e.jpg

and also took care of this side just for fun. :D

http://pds7.egloos.com/pds/200804/14/35/c0071335_48034e3205870.jpg

This is just quick dry fit to see how it looks after some work on the fenders.

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200804/14/35/c0071335_48034e33ec145.jpg

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200804/14/35/c0071335_48034e34de087.jpg

[Wonsug Jung]

Later I recognized that the engine hatch and loader's hatch are open and realized I cannot go further without interiors.

After some hesitation, I decided to represent the interiors.
...... yes, they are very crude and rough but they seemed enough for just giving 'something is in there' look.

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200804/14/35/c0071335_48034e2dc03d7.jpg

Thought of using Hasegawa line engraver, but I changed my mind and cut the hatch using PE saw.
The saw went slightly wrong path in the lateral margin and there should not be those diagonal cuts in the lower part of the hatch... sigh. :(

http://pds7.egloos.com/pds/200804/14/35/c0071335_48034e5eadd24.jpg

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200804/14/35/c0071335_48034e5f824c5.jpg

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200804/14/35/c0071335_48034e6120c3f.jpg

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200804/14/35/c0071335_48034e62cdc7b.jpg

For the casemate I made some radios...

http://pds7.egloos.com/pds/200804/14/35/c0071335_48034e654aeae.jpg

and gun breech.

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200804/14/35/c0071335_48034e5e0227e.jpg

http://pds7.egloos.com/pds/200804/14/35/c0071335_48034e7540027.jpg

The rear portion of the gun breech is from T-34/76 :-)
It's weird that it is open to the left side not upper.

Here's a pic from Achtung panzer.

http://pds7.egloos.com/pds/200804/30/35/c0071335_48174a8f694a2.jpg

There should be shell basket but adding it makes the assembly impossible. I had to omit it.

And the floor...

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200804/14/35/c0071335_48034e75df276.jpg

[sharkmouth]

Nice work Wonsug. After seeing your scratchbuilding efforts, I do not understand why you do not correct the hatch interior if it bothers you. It seems to simply need the details sanded off and added back.

Regards,

[Wonsug Jung]

Hi Saul, thanks for the comment.
After taking the photos, I did correct the hatch interior. ;)

Regards,

Wonsug

[Panzergrenadier]

Wow, this is great. Keep going with it, it will look so cool once painted.:thumb:

[Wonsug Jung]

Thanks Siim. :)

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200804/30/35/c0071335_481863e40398e.jpg

I added omitted weld lines to the radiator compartment using Hasegawa engraver and liquid cement. They should be also on the engine compartment but I thought they will be covered by intake grill.

Actually I'm not entirely happy with the result because they should be more close to the edge. :yell:

Here's the original part FYI

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200804/30/35/c0071335_4817514f55f89.jpg

I corrected the hatch interior with Duro. Also added bolt tips with stretched sprue.

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200804/30/35/c0071335_48174ab8eceda.jpg

Some more for the casemate.

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200804/30/35/c0071335_48174ab958d5d.jpg

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200804/30/35/c0071335_48174aba07428.jpg

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200804/30/35/c0071335_48174abaa6e60.jpg

http://pds7.egloos.com/pds/200804/30/35/c0071335_48174abc4f76c.jpg

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200804/30/35/c0071335_48174ab83e6af.jpg

In some places brass wire should give better result but it's not at hand then.

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200804/30/35/c0071335_48174abb48638.jpg

Ammo rack-ish something :D
The holes are too large and too apart. But they are hardly seen after all. :rolleyes:

[Flak]

Great work...Wonsug :thumb:

[Driver]

You are doing a great job on that Stug Wonsug!!
Do not worry about those little discrepancies in size; what matters is the end result and I am certain it will be great!!

Keep going

Ruben

[Wonsug Jung]

Hi Marco and Ruben,
Thanks for your kind comments :)

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819ef034415f.jpg

Towing hold is not very good so I carved lips around it.

http://pds7.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819ef2f62edb.jpg

So it looks like this now. :)

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819ef03a9e82.jpg

I cut the lower part of the fender and added some detail using Smart kit as reference.

http://pds7.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819ef0452b84.jpg

The hoist hook is molded upside down...

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819ef0558b29.jpg

and it's corrected now.

http://pds7.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819ef0612c47.jpg

Hatches are great but they are rather thick so I thinned the edge. Because they had interior details, I could not thin them all the way but just bevelled them. :(

http://pds7.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819ef2c87c10.jpg

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819ef2cdca04.jpg

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819ef2d814a4.jpg

...also the MG guard and voila. :)

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819ef2e247c4.jpg

Wonsug

[Wonsug Jung]

DML do not provide spare track at all so I recruited Revell parts. Dragon DS track is better but I could not afford another DML kit just for the track. :o

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819ef0671dcf.jpg

Its right lower part is cut because it interferes with barrel cleaning rod.

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819ef077133e.jpg

The barrel cleaning rod is not molded properly and replaced with stretched sprue.
I also made bolt holes in the engine hatch.

http://pds7.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819ef0954c0d.jpg

http://pds7.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819ef087931c.jpg

The real vehicle photo shows no hammer, jack, and jack rest block so I made their brackets with PE frets.

I also made torn effects on the intake grill and 3-D look on the molded on axe handle with Hasegawa engraver.

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819ef0253494.jpg

On the left side I left all the OVMs on because I didn't want to make their brackets any more. :D

I thought the instruction and boxart depicts the location of the fire extinguisher and wire cutter wrong, so I corrected it.
I made same 3-D effects to the shovel handle.

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819ef2bd957b.jpg

Added towing cable brackets with PE frets.

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819ef2ec3e00.jpg

I thinned deflector and crushed it and added chain to the towing hold with twisted wire.

http://pds7.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819de9089436.jpg

I made bracket for the spare track in front of the add on armor. I forgot to add Notek light base. :yell:

http://pds7.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819ef3058a77.jpg

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819ef3121ad2.jpg

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819ef2ad5a65.jpg

And the interiors are seen through the hatch this much. :o

Wonsug

[Wonsug Jung]

Still wheels and spare track brackets on the casemate are crying for completion but here's my StuH.

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819de9291154.jpg

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819de91e0780.jpg

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819de933f02d.jpg

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_4819de8fcaf88.jpg

Robert Kru has kindly sent me some photos in Xtreme modelling magazine No.14 and later my fellow modeller sent me the entire article about 242 Bde. StuG.

But still I could not grasp clearly how the spare tracks are attached to the side of the casemate and spare wheels too. :(

Wonsug

[Wonsug Jung]

Here are photos from the Xtreme modelling mag for discussion only.

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_481a1175c8fa7.jpg

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_481a1176200f6.jpg

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_481a11774f143.jpg

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200805/02/35/c0071335_481a117816a51.jpg

Wonsug

[AfRiKaKoRpS]

Great detailing Wonsung, especially its the small scale. Becomes an impressive StuG.

Chris

[json]

Looking great Wonsug!!

I hope too see this kit done for the August "Panzer Wrecks" competition on the braille scale competition site?!

regards,
Steen

[Wonsug Jung]

Thanks Chris, I can recommend this little kit to everyone wholeheartedly. :thumb:

Hi Steen, yes, I plan to enter that "panzer wrecks" theme competition. Thanks for maintaining such a great site. :)

[Radek Pituch]

Hey Wonsug
Great job with this kit in such a small scale. It's not usual to see wrecks in 1/72 with this level of detailing. Thanks for posting those photographs, they are very useful.
Radek

[dsleigh]

Wonsung,

Gotta say, this is beautiful work. Keep it coming!

[Wonsug Jung]

After such a long absence, I had to resume this work. I plan to enter the braillescale competition this month and the dead line is Aug 15. :yell:
I hope I can finish this StuH in time. :confused:

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200808/10/35/c0071335_489dd0b6c25f6.jpg

I corrected the position of sparewheel bracket.

http://pds6.egloos.com/pds/200808/10/35/c0071335_489dd0b8f3ca3.jpg

http://pds6.egloos.com/pds/200808/10/35/c0071335_489dd0b9b5804.jpg

This is the roadwheel. you can see the small pipes between two wheels, nice feature. :thumb:

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200808/10/35/c0071335_489dd0b779106.jpg

http://pds6.egloos.com/pds/200808/10/35/c0071335_489dd0b854685.jpg

But they are omitted or rather exist only as some vestiges in the spare wheels, very strange. :confused:

http://pds6.egloos.com/pds/200808/10/35/c0071335_489dd0ba6237a.jpg

So I added this feature with stretched sprue.

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200808/10/35/c0071335_489dd0bb148f0.jpg

Not very prominent but anyway they're there. ;)

[Wonsug Jung]

One of the jack bracket had fallen apart so I decided to make them with plastic card.

http://pds6.egloos.com/pds/200808/10/35/c0071335_489dd0bc6ff97.jpg

http://pds6.egloos.com/pds/200808/10/35/c0071335_489dd0bbb0c3c.jpg

Images from Achtung Panzer

http://pds6.egloos.com/pds/200808/10/35/c0071335_489dd0b5e8e04.jpg

And this is what I made after some struggle.
You can also see the former one made with PE fret. :cool:

[Wonsug Jung]

In the ML forum, Peter Mueller of History facts gave me some comments. :eek:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/47207/thread/1218121368

quote begins:
----------------------------------------------
Hello Wonsung

These sheet metal things in both photographs have nothing to do with the skirts. No idea what function that troop modification had.

The bracket in the 2nd picture (inserted in the upper left spare road wheel) is not a lock holding the spare wheels, but the pad
for lifting road wheels by jack - you will see them often on photographs stored in the spare wheels, when recognised once.

To identify the two pictures correctly:

Upper is a StuH, accepted at Alkett works between March and June 1943 ?if you had a picture from the front, one could tell more precisely.

Lower is a StuG, accepted at Miag works between April and September 1943 ?if had have a picture from the front, one could tell more precisely.

To give a little additional help for the modelling project?br />
Be sure not to mix Assalt Howitzer (manufactured at Alkett works only) and Assault Gun (manufactured at Altkett and Miag works).
Your modelling a Miag chassis at the moment ?see the track guard support brackets are Miag style.

You should turn the fire estinguisher, that it points inside at the rear end (this is Alkett뭩 style)

Be sure to change for the tubular distance indicator ligth (this is Alkett뭩 style). Alkett took the old one until Febrary 1943, then the tubular type.

The base for the spare track link length brackets on the bow was not ex works but would be a troop modification ?
if you have a picture of that vehicle from the front. Alkett didn뭪 do that exept on those Ausf F/8 built on PzKpfw III chassis.

Regards from Switzerland
Peter
--------------------------------------------
end of quote.

So I understand I should make StuH manufactured by Alkett.

I could not correct the track guard support bracket at this moment. Too late. :yell:
I did turn the fire extinguisher again which now points inside at the rear end. (not photographed yet)

I'm not sure what the "tubular distance indicator ligth" is. Is it the barrel cleaning rod?

I'm also not sure what the "base for the spare track link length brackets on the bow" is.
If that means brown something under the front towing hold, then its on the real vehicle.

[Wonsug Jung]

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200808/11/35/c0071335_489f64207f479.jpg
http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200808/11/35/c0071335_489f6421367e9.jpg

The sprocket wheel has ugly gap between two parts. :mad:

http://pds6.egloos.com/pds/200808/11/35/c0071335_489f641fec235.jpg

So I filled the gap with duro putty. :)

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200808/11/35/c0071335_489f64497e1fc.jpg
http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200808/11/35/c0071335_489f644a26ebc.jpg

I installed my jack brackets on the track guard. looks nice! ;)

http://pds6.egloos.com/pds/200808/11/35/c0071335_489f644ac60fb.jpg

One spare wheel is borrowed from Revell StuG kit and I carved the rubber rim out for some variety.

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200808/11/35/c0071335_489f6448bc0f6.jpg

... and added Notek light bracket and some bolts.

Now it's painting time! :rolleyes:

[Wonsug Jung]

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200808/11/35/c0071335_489f7144c4e27.jpg

I painted the engine room with red oxide primer color I mixed. The color is not very satisfactory, though. :(

http://pds9.egloos.com/pds/200808/11/35/c0071335_489f71432931f.jpg

I mixed the paint too much that I airbrushed the inside of roadwheels with the primer, too. But it will never be seen after assembly. :o

http://pds6.egloos.com/pds/200808/11/35/c0071335_489f7143d9ea8.jpg

The dark yellow is a mixture of Gaianotes Dunkelgelb and GSI Creos Tan lacquers.
My airbrush technique is miserable so I picked up a brush and painted olive green camouflage with Tamiya Fieldgray enamel.
After rough brushing I can correct the camo more precisely with a brush soaked with enamel thinner. :thumb:
The camouflage pattern is largely indebted to the StuG III in Armor Models magazine No.14. :rolleyes:

[Flak]

Great to see it in paint...keep it up

[Wonsug Jung]

For the braille scale competition I had to hurry in the finishing. :yell:
My Jack brackets did not endure the attack of enamel thinner for washing very well and were destroyed, but I had no time to make them again.
The base was especially made in an extreme hurry and I'll take care of them later. :o

Also the pics are not satisfactory either. Too much exposure and not very well focused. :mad:

Pin washing and filtering made with Winton Raw Umber oils. Chipping with Winton Raw Umber again and then some Tamiya Buff enamel and Mig pigments.

In the pics the dark yellow looks like yellow but in reality it's more dark and brownish. I should have gone with much lighter base color or should not use Raw Umber for filtering. :(

For the camouflage branch, I used foliage from MiniNatur.
It was rather sticky and I had hard time placing them on the vehicle because it adhered to forceps and won't stick to the StuH. :yell:

Here are my StuH about 70% finished.
I entitled it "Der Sturm ließ ab, und ward eine Stille." which translates "The storm ceased, and there was a calm. (Luke 8:24)" :p

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/17/35/c0071335_48a7c65c35830.jpg

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/17/35/c0071335_48a7c65aa43ee.jpg

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/17/35/c0071335_48a7c65ced0fa.jpg

http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200808/17/35/c0071335_48a7c65db78ca.jpg

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/17/35/c0071335_48a7c65fb1e26.jpg

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/17/35/c0071335_48a7c6613b685.jpg

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/17/35/c0071335_48a7c65c98285.jpg

http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200808/17/35/c0071335_48a7c65f45b1f.jpg

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/17/35/c0071335_48a7c65aaeba7.jpg

http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200808/17/35/c0071335_48a7c66201ff4.jpg

You can see the wonderful works by other braillers here.

http://www.braillescalecomp.com/default.html

Regards,

Wonsug Jung

[Coops]

Very nice and in 1/72 as well, I can't get it together in 1/35 and you do this :).
Well done

[Flak]

Congratulation...nice finished model!!!

[hoolyahn]

Good work Wonsug. I think you did a superb job on the build and paintwork. No easy task especially a K.O. vehicle in 1/72!

First person to complete for the group build? Congratulations.

Julian

[Wonsug Jung]

Thanks Flak, Coop, Julian :)
I took some more pics with better focus.

http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a859b54c54b.jpg

http://pds7.egloos.com/pds/200803/30/35/c0071335_47ee682c6d1ef.jpg

http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a859b661a37.jpg

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200803/30/35/c0071335_47ee682a41228.jpg

http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a859b74d4ff.jpg

http://pds8.egloos.com/pds/200803/30/35/c0071335_47ee6829e52fe.jpg

[Wonsug Jung]

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a859b8437f7.jpg

http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a859b929798.jpg

http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a859ba6ce4f.jpg

http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a859bb58baa.jpg

[Wonsug Jung]

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a859bc5cda0.jpg

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a859bd62a46.jpg

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a859b43de5c.jpg

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a859f54cd8a.jpg

[Wonsug Jung]

http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a859f621235.jpg

Oh my... that cursed parting line on the antenna post. :(

http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a859f7321bb.jpg

http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a859f8037db.jpg

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a859f90d1c4.jpg

http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a859f9cbe6e.jpg

http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a859fac89f5.jpg

[Wonsug Jung]

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a859fbbdd4c.jpg

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a859fcb82ba.jpg

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a859f43e455.jpg

http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a85a7a54587.jpg

http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a85a7b31165.jpg

[Wonsug Jung]

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a85a7c449aa.jpg

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a85a7d38945.jpg

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a85a7e174fb.jpg

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a85a7f1e18e.jpg

http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a85a8022a78.jpg

[Wonsug Jung]

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a85a8118952.jpg

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a85a821420e.jpg

http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a85a793f699.jpg

http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a85a92aab76.jpg

http://pds10.egloos.com/pds/200808/18/35/c0071335_48a85a91bc1c5.jpg

[Gopher]

Great work Wonsug!
On a few photos i can't imagine that it's a 1/72!

[charley]

great model.... i am in the process of finishing a similar model.... mine has the PART PE brass schurzen plates and the PART PE tracks

i must congratulate you on a most excellent effort !

[Uruk-Hai]

Its hard to believe its "only" 1/72 scale.
Good work and thanks for sharing the build with us.

Cheers

[Wonsug Jung]

:)Andrey, Janne, Thanks for the kind words. :)

Charles, I really would like to see your model. :thumb:
I thought about using part PE tracks too, but it's for the Revell kit and the number of the sprocket teeth is different between Dragon and Revell. Dragon's is correct of course.