ARM: Review - DML 1/35 scale StuG II Ausf. G Early w/Schurtzen

Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/35 Scale =9139-=9145 Series Kit No.

6365; StuG III Ausf. G Early Production w/Schurtzen - Smart Kit; 659 parts (400 in grey styrene, 216 =93Magic Track=94 links, 20 etched brass, 12 etched nickel, 10 clear styrene, 1 length of twisted steel wire); estimated price US$45

Advantages: early model StuG now with the schurtzen added to the kit

Disadvantages: no zimmerit; does not come with DS plastic track runs

Rating: Highly Recommended

Recommendation: For all German and =93Stug=94 fans

DML has now re-released their very nice StuG III Early kit with a set of nickel =93schurtzen=94 plates and styrene hangers. The rest of the kit (other than the markings, of course!) is a complete reissue of Kit No.

6320.

As before, this kit provides the =93early production=94 =96 e.g. welded mantelet/recoil cover vice the later =93Saukopf=94 mantelet =96 version of the Ausf. G. It uses individual torsion bars and road wheel arms as well as all of the external details on the lower hull such as shocks and bump stops. Each idler wheel consists of five parts with twin brass inserts between the plastic castings. All wheels are detailed to the point of having the rubber tire manufacturer=92s data readable!

The brass is provided only for those bits where plastic cannot do the job, such as the aforementioned wheel rims and the air intake and exhaust grilles on the engine deck plus some non-slip gridding. All fender details are separate and go on in subassemblies. In point of fact, most of this model consists of subassemblies, which is how it gets its tremendous level of details. This also shows in the sprues, as for example the =93A=94 wheel sprue actually consists of seven sub- sprues, so future kits can be done by gating off or ungating other sections of the master sprue to meet the need of those kits. DML seems to be getting smarter in their old age, using this technique vice tossing in 5-10 other sprues from other kits to get one part from each one.

The kit comes with a high level of interior parts, including the gun, commander=92s cupola assembly, floor, and the radios and stowage racks for various bits on each side of the casemate.

Likewise the engine deck consists of several subassemblies combined to form the deck. Note that every hatch on this vehicle can be opened for display of the interior, but there is no engine or transmission provided.

Final assembly again has a number of different modules combined into one final assembly =96 lower hull, fenders, engine deck, interior, gun barrel, casemate, and tracks. Oddly enough, while the radios and antenna bases are supplied, no comment is made about the antennas for them!

Anyone who has done any of the other DML kits with =93schurtzen=94 will recognize the concept of using styrene hangers and etched nickel plates, and this kit has the same options with it. There are two angled end pieces and two overlapping center sections provided for each side of the vehicle.

The kit does not come with any =93zimmerit=94 which photos show applied to vehicles just like this one, and it will disappoint more than a few modelers. It also comes with the single link =93Magic Tracks=94 rather than two simple DS plastic runs; while not incorrect it does make construction more tedious for the modeler.

Technical advice for the kit is credited to Thomas Anderson, Tom Cockle and Gary Edmundson.

Six different finishing options and a targeted Cartograf are provided: Pz.Jg.Abt. 2, 12th Panzer Division, Estonia 1944 (two-color, black 221); SS Pz.Gren.Div =93Das Reich=94, Kursk 1943 (tricolor with no numbers); SS Pz.Gren.Div. =93Totenkopf=94, Kursk 1943 (two-color, white cross outlines); Pz.Abt. 103, 3rd Pz.Gren.Div, Italy 1943 (sand with battalion insignia); Pz.Abt.(Fkl) 301, 2nd Pz.Div., Normandy 1944 (tricolor, black 421); and 3./Pz.Abt.(Fkl) 302, Warsaw 1944 (tricolor =93squiggle=94 pattern).

Overall, this will be popular but I personally think it is time for a =93zimmerit=94 version of the StuG III.

Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.

Cookie Sewell

Reply to
AMPSOne
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=96 e.g. welded

urtzen=94 will

s show applied

Of course, this version straddles the period before and after Zimmerit was introduced, so the lack of Zimmerit really isn't a "disadvantage," particularly if one wants to depict either of the schemes provided for the Battle of Kursk, for instance. Undoubtedly, a Zimmerit version will also be released, since Dragon has already offered the howitzer armed version with the coating. Gerald Owens

Reply to
Gerald Owens

kit with a set

=96 e.g. welded

cannot do the

uding the gun,

churtzen=94 will

tos show applied

is time for a

Gerald,

True enough -- but one would think since the schurtzen are optional they would have provided them in the original kit and not released a "new" kit with them added on. Without going to "cyber-hobby.com" one- offs they do need one with zimmerit and also a late model with the "saukopf" and other features.

Cookie Sewell

Reply to
AMPSOne

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