1/35 Sturmtiger WIP - Update 5

[deafpanzer]

I used Cavalier zimmerit set on my Tamitya kit and it was almost a perfect fit with minimal cleaning! I had to add little putty on the edges.





I am afraid it may be hard to find either Cavalier or Atak sets but it looks like Eduard sells those now and is easier to find online. Hope this helps...

[Tojo72]

Nice work on the zimm Andy

[chromdome35]

That zim looks really good.

[406 Silverado]

Sept 14, 2023 11:23:09 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

That zim looks really good.

Yes......it sure does! Very nicely done Andy.

[406 Silverado]

Primer looks good on the Tiger and the JS-2 is coming along as well. Love all the details Chad ( moparmadness )

[deafpanzer]

Sept 14, 2023 11:57:34 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Sept 14, 2023 11:23:09 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

That zim looks really good.

Yes......it sure does! Very nicely done Andy.

Thanks Joe! I am really hoping that our friend here Chad will motivate me to resume my build that I started at least three years ago. LOL

[m1keh]

Sept 13, 2023 16:13:49 GMT -5 moparmadness said:

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

Great picture! Always nice to have photographic evidence.

[Real G]

Regarding the zimmerit, so out of the less than 20 Sturmtigers built, the last batch did not have it. Does anyone know how many? And were there early/mid/late variations on the vehicle itself?

[moparmadness]

Sept 15, 2023 10:56:55 GMT -5 Real G said:

Regarding the zimmerit, so out of the less than 20 Sturmtigers built, the last batch did not have it. Does anyone know how many? And were there early/mid/late variations on the vehicle itself?

Let me preface this by saying I’m no Sturmtiger expert, just taking info I read in this wonderful resource. There were two variants produced. A prototype, which had the traditional early/mid Tiger running gear and chassis, and the final production version set on the late Tiger running gear/chassis. Each assigned to one of four different Sturm-Morser Kompanies. The only difference in the final production vehicles was the type of counterweight at the end of the howitzer. The book doesn’t have specific numbers of production types with/without zimmerit, but a majority did have the zimmerit application.

[moparmadness]

If you’re interested, here are a couple other great books for the Sturmy.

[moparmadness]

Painted the interior Grey/White and applied a gloss coat.  I then applied a filter of Raw Umber.  I created some grime and artificial shadows with Raw Umber stippled throughout the classmate, then blended out with Oderless Turpenoid. This is very stark but will be lightened and blended during the next phase of weathering. 

[moparmadness]

Casemate and gun are complete. This fella is a test mule to experiment with a white/used interior that I’ll use for my RFM Sturm with full interior. So pleas disregard the ejector pins marks! Lol. I read the gun leaked so I tried to mimic exterior dirt running down the bottom of the front casemate. I’m really liking these 1/35 kits. No fiddly cockpits to address! Now, on to the chassis.

[castelnuovo]

Coming along nicely and looking great

[406 Silverado]

For not going to great lengths on this interior it sure looks good Chad. These always had an odd look them but they just look so dang sinister and bad a$$ at the same time. Good progress reports bud.

[deafpanzer]

Weathering the interior looks fantastic! Very gentle chipping especially for this machine that didn't have a long life span during the war.

[moparmadness]

Hull is complete. Time to add the Rockets and close this guy up.

[m1keh]

Zounds!!!😍

[floki]

Sweet looking interior

[buddho]

The Zimmerit and interior looks amazing

[moparmadness]

Howdy friends. She’s nearly fully stocked. I’m a little disappointed Tamiya didn’t include all 14 rockets but I’m sure they had their reasons. I’d sure hate to be in a tall building in town, looking through my binoculars at one of these brutes pointing in my direction! Time to start on the exterior!

[floki]

Looking good!

[406 Silverado]

Now that ......is one tough looking tracked vehicle. Love all the work that you're putting into this Chad. Beautiful work so far buddy.

[ogrejohn]

Nice work for sure!

[stikpusher]

Nice.... VERY nice work on the interior.

[deafpanzer]

Now it is starting to look like a Sturmtiger!!! I'd scream and run if I ever see one approaching my position...

[moparmadness]

Thank you everyone for the kind comments! One quick product review before I start painting. The zimmerit used is from DEF Model. Cavalier zimmerit, which is of the highest standards IMO, is becoming harder and harder to find so this is becoming our only option. It goes on easy enough just like any waterslide decal. Everything is pre-cut, and all of the necessary holes are already cut out in their proper locations. The only issue I have is the zimmerit looks WAY too uniform. Cavaliers zimmerit had a beautiful hand applied look to it. The only way to really make it look somewhat realistic is to dab some Tamiya liquid cement here and there, then rub some of the decal off with a hobby knife.

Somewhat recommended, but not highly recommended.

[moparmadness]

Sept 20, 2023 13:09:42 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Nice.... VERY nice work on the interior.

Thank you my friend. Nothing fancy used really, just some Windsor and Newton oil paints.

[phil57]

Wow. I am thinking this is way too fancy for my arthritic fingers. Great job.

[chromdome35]

Very nice, I really dig the zim work you did.

[406 Silverado]

Looks to me that you did the best job possible in working with the zimmerit Chad and the results are pretty dang good. If folks were to use this zimmerit decaling and follow your instructions that you posted here then they'd be happy with the results. This is, however, coming from an auto and aircraft guy but I'm liking what I'm seeing here.