1/35 Sturmtiger WIP - Update 5

[moparmadness]

The 1/16 Kleinerpanzer should be wrapping up soon. At this point I usually start planning my next build. I’m still staying away from the mighty Luftwaffe for know and concentrating on slow moving ground targets! There is one in particular that really looks appealing to my eye, the mighty Sturmtiger. Very slow and extremely unreliable but packs a serious punch. I mean, it’s got a mortar created for coastal units as an anti-submarine weapon. Pair that with a Tiger chassis and you’ve got something to knock down the sturdiest of walls. I just don’t know which one to build. I’m leaning towards the Tamiya kit because I know it’ll be an easier build. I’ve got an RFM Sturm with full interior floating around my stash but I’m not feeling that brave right now! 🫣

[stikpusher]

Yeah, I'd suggest Tamiya or Italeri for those Sturmtigers if you're looking for a bit more simple of a project from those three. AFV Club makes great kits, but man are they intricate.

[moparmadness]

Yeah I’ve never built an AFV Club kit but there are a ton of tiny parts. I’m fairly certain that one’s going back in the stash. 😄

[stikpusher]

Jun 17, 2023 8:05:06 GMT -5 moparmadness said:

Yeah I’ve never built an AFV Club kit but there are a ton of tiny parts. I’m fairly certain that one’s going back in the stash. 😄

Just don’t be in a hurry with one and you’ll be fine. They are beautifully detailed kits, but they sure need all of your attention. And sometimes they truly have you wondering, “why did they do that?”…

[Tobi]

If you're going to leave it without interior I'd probably recommend that Tamiya kit as well.
Though I have to confess I have no experience in any of the three kits.

[406 Silverado]

In terms of ease, I'd say definitely go with the Tamiya offering on this one Chad. I've not yet built an AFV Club kit but do have one in the stash and you're right......that kit is daunting after seeing all of the tiny parts that it has.

[deafpanzer]

I started to bulld Tamiya kit during the pandemic lock down and it was very excellent! Of course it is not done but I think you will be very pleased with the Tamiya quality. I used resin aftermarket zimmerit set so you might need to use it too. The only thing I was disappointed with the Tamiya was the rear exhaust pipe covers cause the rods were too fragile and weak to hold so I used PE and metal rods instead.








Hope this helps..

[moparmadness]

Looking over the kit, it does seem to be well engineered but does lack certain things like surface textures. So I’m actually going to try a set of resin Zzimmerit decals. I guess they just lay down like regular waterslide decals. Looks like you were making some wonderful headway!

[deafpanzer]

I hope I can finish it one day. Maybe your build will be a good motivator for me to do the same!

[stikpusher]

Jun 20, 2023 8:51:03 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

I hope I can finish it one day. Maybe your build will be a good motivator for me to do the same!

c'mon now... you know you can finish it.... 

[m1keh]

Jun 20, 2023 8:51:03 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

I hope I can finish it one day. Maybe your build will be a good motivator for me to do the same!

You got this! I have the Italeri kit about half done before putting it away for years. Now that I'm back to building I have looked at it and will probably be working on it sooner then later.

[moparmadness]

Not a bad kit at all. Very nice in its day.

[armornutii]

Jun 20, 2023 8:51:03 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

I hope I can finish it one day. Maybe your build will be a good motivator for me to do the same!

  You can dooo it!

[406 Silverado]

Jun 20, 2023 8:51:03 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

I hope I can finish it one day. Maybe your build will be a good motivator for me to do the same!

Well what tha hell are ya waitin' for?? .

Get 'er goin' Andy.

[moparmadness]

So, I am going with the Tamiya kit. Got all the subassemblies done, loose parts clipped and sanded, now it’s off to the paint booth.

[Tojo72]

Good progress so far,looks good

[406 Silverado]

Looking forward to to watching you bring this one to life Chad.

[Joe Rix]

Good call on the Tamiya version Chad. Nice progress there to get to the paint stage.

[Whiterook]

Jul 22, 2023 9:46:55 GMT -5 moparmadness said:

So, I am going with the Tamiya kit. Got all the subassemblies done, loose parts clipped and sanded, now it’s off to the paint booth.

Great choice! That’s a sexy beastie! Hey, I just started doing the same with my PzIV build, in using separate tubs to hold the clipped and prepared parts… most especially, road wheels! …the dollar stores have great selections in different sizes and colors…mine have pink tops (…what can I say, I love the color Pink! I’m a rebel, that way).

Watching this one! What a great subject!!!

[406 Silverado]

Got any updates on this one Chad? (moparmadness)

[moparmadness]

No sir. Work got in the way of my fun! Lol. I’ll slap some paint on it real soon though. 🍻

[Leon]

Your off to a good start Chad!

I've build a few AFV kits and they do have a lot of small parts.

[moparmadness]

Howdy friends. Not much of an update here. Laid down some gray primer, some black shadows, and finally a gray/white base. Weathering comes next, which is absolutely my favorite part of the build! So, this one is taking so long because I waited to get caught up on my JS-2, so I could paint both vehicles at the same time. I’m not going to do a WIP on the JS-2 but here’s a little peek.

[deafpanzer]

Nice update on the Jagdtiger and your JS-2 is looking good. Who makes that kit?

[castelnuovo]

Ooooo, this is such a bad arse vehicle. Will be following you...(demonic laughter)

[moparmadness]

Sept 11, 2023 8:37:32 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

Nice update on the Jagdtiger and your JS-2 is looking good. Who makes that kit?

Tamiya. If you ever need a mojo kick, by one of their 1/35 JS or IS Russian heavies, and you’ll be back in the game! It was legitimately a fun kit to build.

[Real G]

Quickie question - Did all Sturmtigers have zimmerit?  I seem to recall reading that somewhere.

I think the Sturmtiger looks really cool, and I was considering getting the Tamiya kit.  But who makes the best resin zimmerit set for it?

[stikpusher]

The final production vehicles might not have had zimmerit, as they were completed after the use of that stuff had been discontinued.

I can’t say who makes the best stuff for that kit. Tamiya does make some of their own for some of their kits, but I don’t know if they make it for their Sturmtiger.

[moparmadness]

Sept 13, 2023 15:41:00 GMT -5 Real G said:

Quickie question - Did all Sturmtigers have zimmerit?  I seem to recall reading that somewhere.

I think the Sturmtiger looks really cool, and I was considering getting the Tamiya kit.  But who makes the best resin zimmerit set for it?

No, they did not all have Zimmerit. The last batch out of the factory did not receive a Zimmer application. These were typically only painted dark yellow and not in the standard three tone camouflage. Here’s a pretty common picture of a beast that was abandoned by its crew somewhere west of Berlin. It did not have a zimmerit application



By far, in my humble opinion, the best aftermarket zimmerit comes from Cavalier Model Productions.

www.scalemates.com/kits/cavalier-model-productions-0102-sturmtiger-zimmerit--543019


Unfortunately those are getting harder to find. So, for this build, I’m using the DEF Models zimmerit. It’s actually a textured waterslide decal, so I’m going to be interested to see how this looks!

www.scalemates.com/kits/defmodel-dd35005-sturmtiger-zimmerit-coating-decal--994952

[moparmadness]

Sept 13, 2023 15:59:13 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

The final production vehicles might not have had zimmerit, as they were completed after the use of that stuff had been discontinued.

I can’t say who makes the best stuff for that kit. Tamiya does make some of their own for some of their kits, but I don’t know if they make it for their Sturmtiger.

Carlos, you beat me to it! Lol