Hi Folks,
It has been a while since I have worked on our vBench for the last time. Hope to be back with some old and new projects. First of all need to finish my Stug III G that I started the Group build with and than along with it a new StG IV project. I just could not stop myself from buying this new DML StuG IV kit as I think it can be a very good base for 1:35 StuG model of the StuG IV that was recovered from Riglewka River and than restored restored in Poznan over last 3 years. I am sure the story of this StuG is well known to many fellow modellers since it was populair subject of discussions at many forums.
This particulair StuG IV is the late version and was in use of 2. Kompanie Panzerjäger-Abteilung Brandenburg /1. Jäger-Rgt. "Brandenburg". It sank when on 18/19 January 1945 ice covering the Riglewka River broke down under its tracks.
As the new DML kit represents Early Version, it will need many alterations and some aftermarket items to convert it to something remaining the original thing.
I do not have my own pictures of this StuG as unfortunately was not able to go to Poznan so far to see it and photograph it, but it was very well photographed and pictures are present at Polish exploration and modelling forums. I'll use some of this pictures from the web to explain changes I'll be making. All pictures will be published here for discussion purposes only and hope pople who made them will not become angry
To start with the lower hull - it is perfect for modelling this particulair StuG IV as it represents Pz.IV Ausf.H lower hull with 4 return rollers. So no changes needed there.
First thing that needs change is boogie mounts as the kit has all 10 hexagonal bolt heads present and the original has this:
So to convert to to the middle version with two bolt heads deleted but holes still remaining I did this:
and a dry fit at the lower hull:
All 8 boogie mounts will be converted like this one.
The front lower hull sides do not fit well but will be no problem to fix it since excellent giude by James can be found at PA. Anyway its strage that this problem appeared as I never had this kind of problems with earlier versions of DML Pz.IVs. Pity as all Pz.IV Ausf.H and Ausf.J kits will have this problem.
Next comes the back plate which needs some alterations. First of all as this StuG has late type vertical exchausts so holes for early exhaust mounts need to get plugged and and same with remaining turret engine exhaust hole cover that was not present on late StuG needs plugging.
The original:
and my version:
I used stretched sprue method to plug holes since its quick, simple and gives very good results. Actually this time used white Evergreen rod softened with Tamiya Thin Cement.
The above picture of the original also shows which type of towing mount was used. Luckily DML kit has all the parts needed to make it:
Threaded Mode