_GOTOBOTTOM
Armor/AFV
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
REVIEW
DML StuG IV Early Production
bill_c
Staff MemberCampaigns Administrator
MODEL SHIPWRIGHTS
Visit this Community
New Jersey, United States
Joined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 10,553 posts
Armorama: 8,109 posts
Posted: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 - 04:31 AM UTC
Bill Plunk provides an In Box review of DML's StuG IV Early Production.



Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
gremlinz
Visit this Community
Hamilton, New Zealand
Joined: February 07, 2009
KitMaker: 795 posts
Armorama: 743 posts
Posted: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 - 09:28 AM UTC
Most excellent review dude. And very timely as I'm currently reading a bunch of recently arrived reference material in the search for the best model to represent a factory delivered StuG arriving in Normany just prior to D-Day.

Off the top of your head do you know which factory pattern zimmerit these had ?
wbill76
Visit this Community
Texas, United States
Joined: May 02, 2006
KitMaker: 5,425 posts
Armorama: 4,659 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - 07:38 AM UTC
Thanks Dean! Sorry I couldn't answer your question sooner but I was out of town on vacation for a week.

The zim pattern on these is the simple raked pattern since the vehicles were built by Krupp-Gruson and not MIAG or Alkett like with the StuG III Gs. HTH!

This particular vehicle set-up that DML offers is perfect for a Normandy period vehicle and there are many in-action photos of StuG IVs in Normandy that match this configuration arrangement so you should be set for what you're aiming for!
gremlinz
Visit this Community
Hamilton, New Zealand
Joined: February 07, 2009
KitMaker: 795 posts
Armorama: 743 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - 12:29 PM UTC
Thanks Bill. I would have liked it to have had the Rundumfeurer to date it as an April/May production but I can live without it.
wbill76
Visit this Community
Texas, United States
Joined: May 02, 2006
KitMaker: 5,425 posts
Armorama: 4,659 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 07:15 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Thanks Bill. I would have liked it to have had the Rundumfeurer to date it as an April/May production but I can live without it.



Something tells me that DML might pursue this angle in the future depending...their recent announcement of a StuG III G with the earlier style of schurzen mounts is an indication they are continuing to develop that line so perhaps the StuG IV will also receive similar attention over time. One can hope at least!
gremlinz
Visit this Community
Hamilton, New Zealand
Joined: February 07, 2009
KitMaker: 795 posts
Armorama: 743 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 09:44 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Thanks Bill. I would have liked it to have had the Rundumfeurer to date it as an April/May production but I can live without it.



Something tells me that DML might pursue this angle in the future depending...their recent announcement of a StuG III G with the earlier style of schurzen mounts is an indication they are continuing to develop that line so perhaps the StuG IV will also receive similar attention over time. One can hope at least!



Well I'm still expecting them to do the next StuG III Ausf G with zimmerit followed by the late Ausf G with Rumdumfeurer and topfblende followed by the late Ausf G with Rumdumfeurer, topfblende, and late schurzen followed by the late Ausf G with Rumdumfeurer, topfblende, late schurzen and co-axial MG....

You can see where I'm going with that. Sadly I'm such a StuG fan I'll buy them all.
wbill76
Visit this Community
Texas, United States
Joined: May 02, 2006
KitMaker: 5,425 posts
Armorama: 4,659 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 02:10 PM UTC
And don't forget the coaxial block-style mantlet alternatives as well...I'm sure before it's done people will be saying "there's too many StuGs!" and that they should produce more of vehicle X instead!

Like you I'm a big fan of the StuG line so I'm willing to be very patient although I do admit I thought a pre-zim waffle pattern StuG III G (the StuH 42 doesn't count!) would have already come down the road by now.
gremlinz
Visit this Community
Hamilton, New Zealand
Joined: February 07, 2009
KitMaker: 795 posts
Armorama: 743 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 02:19 PM UTC
Me too, I was surprised the latest version with the schurzen didn't use the zimmeritted parts from the Sturmhaubitze. But if it helps any I just bought two sets of the cavalier waffle pattern zimmerit so murphy's law states that someone will release exactly that in about a week.
gremlinz
Visit this Community
Hamilton, New Zealand
Joined: February 07, 2009
KitMaker: 795 posts
Armorama: 743 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 19, 2009 - 09:25 PM UTC
We were right sort of, just looking forward rather than backward as today we find the latest and greatest is indeed another variant of the StuG III Ausf. G Smart kit, but this time the Initial version.

*patiently awaits zimmeritted Ausf G with Shurzen, new loaders hatch topfblend and Rumdumfeurer*
SGTJKJ
#041
Visit this Community
Kobenhavn, Denmark
Joined: July 20, 2006
KitMaker: 10,069 posts
Armorama: 4,677 posts
Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009 - 03:15 AM UTC
Very nice review. Thanks for all the details.
bill_c
Staff MemberCampaigns Administrator
MODEL SHIPWRIGHTS
Visit this Community
New Jersey, United States
Joined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 10,553 posts
Armorama: 8,109 posts
Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009 - 03:25 AM UTC

Quoted Text

*patiently awaits zimmeritted Ausf G with Shurzen, new loaders hatch topfblend and Rumdumfeurer*


Dean, it's my understanding (correct me if I'm wrong) that the Stugs are the easiest vehicles to Zim oneself. Is this, in fact, the case?

There is also a company out now with laser-cut paper Zim that can be applied with ordinary white glue.
wbill76
Visit this Community
Texas, United States
Joined: May 02, 2006
KitMaker: 5,425 posts
Armorama: 4,659 posts
Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009 - 06:34 AM UTC
Thanks Jesper!


Quoted Text


Dean, it's my understanding (correct me if I'm wrong) that the Stugs are the easiest vehicles to Zim oneself. Is this, in fact, the case?

There is also a company out now with laser-cut paper Zim that can be applied with ordinary white glue.



The StuG III Gs are actually one of the harder vehicles to zim yourself since the most commonly seen pattern was the "waffle" pattern applied at the Alkett factory. Of course you could always cheat a little and go with the MIAG pattern which was a simpler raked pattern...so it depends in the end on which type you're looking to replicate.
bill_c
Staff MemberCampaigns Administrator
MODEL SHIPWRIGHTS
Visit this Community
New Jersey, United States
Joined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 10,553 posts
Armorama: 8,109 posts
Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009 - 07:52 AM UTC

Quoted Text

The StuG III Gs are actually one of the harder vehicles to zim yourself since the most commonly seen pattern was the "waffle" pattern applied at the Alkett factory.



Are there any good AM Zim makers for Stugs???
gremlinz
Visit this Community
Hamilton, New Zealand
Joined: February 07, 2009
KitMaker: 795 posts
Armorama: 743 posts
Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009 - 09:51 AM UTC
I've got a couple of sets of the Cavalier waffle zim and just ordered the Eduard set so once I get around to doing them I'll let you know how well they work.
pebblemonkey
Visit this Community
England - West Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: January 26, 2009
KitMaker: 180 posts
Armorama: 151 posts
Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009 - 10:18 AM UTC
Love it, can't wait to get some!

Matt
wbill76
Visit this Community
Texas, United States
Joined: May 02, 2006
KitMaker: 5,425 posts
Armorama: 4,659 posts
Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009 - 11:08 AM UTC
I've used the Cavalier set on a previous build and it was perfect...granted it was designed for the older DML Imperial Series kit but was very easy to work with.
 _GOTOTOP