Stug III - Under New Management

[spud]

lol prob not but when you do the friuls it will be like chalk and cheese

[dierk]

Just finished the second side - hadn't it been for the massive amount of clean-up, the second side would've taken about 1.5hrs instead of well over 2. My fingers are absolutely killing me now...I'm just glad it's a Stug and not a Panzer IV Based on this experience I cannot recommend Spade Ace tracks, unless you're a masochist on a tight budget and can't afford a dominatrix, in which case you'll be laughing - might be a different story for tracks with less complex links...like the T-26 set that I also have .
Here's a picture for you:



That's all for today...

[spud]

aye they look real good, the sore finger bit is a balls and doing the Panther tracks killed me

[bbd468]

The Track look sweet Dierk! It all paid off big time.

Gary

[bigjohn]

I agree Dierk, The tracks paid off, they look fantastick!!

[robbo]

Smashing job Dierk

[dierk]

Thanks for the feedback - much appreciated!
I was wondering if I should maybe add a link (or 2?) to introduce a bit more sag...what do yous think?
There appears to be a line of 6 bolts, that are missing from Tamiya San's version:
For discussion purposes only. Image from lib.rus.ec

And here's the only other picture I can find (shame, as there's a photographer visible in the first one, who took a picture of the left side):
For discussion purposes only. Image from lib.rus.ec

How should I do the snow? Diluted white glue and baking soda?
Not much modelling today - got to do some 1:1 scale work on my combination, which has been stood for 6 months and is quietly rotting away to itself...
I have started to introduce some damage to the road-wheel rubber.
Cheers,
Dierk

[wbill76]

I would introduce another link personally for a little bit of sag. German tracks were "dead" tracks and not uncommon for there to be a little sag on the top runs as a result. Be careful when you fit them on the vehicle, in your previous pic you had them on backwards in terms of the direction the tracks ran on both sides. It's something I've done myself in the past and always have to check before "committing" to final installation!

[dierk]

Well spotted Bill, erm... I was only testing if you were paying attention...

So much for not modelling today...in the words of Cat Stevens: The first cut is the deepest...

Butchery has commenced:



Tracks turned round, but additional link not yet fitted:



Just a dry fit, you understand:



But I also did some work on my combination.

Soon the PE will come out...

[robbo]

Very nice stug but whats a combination

[dierk]

Sept 7, 2012 12:51:41 GMT -5 robbo said:

Very nice stug but whats a combination

This is a combination, aka motorcycle and sidecar (Russian, of course)

[robbo]

Very nice

[dierk]

Thanks - unfortunately, it was stuck in our back garden for 6 months while our house was surrounded by scaffolding (6-8 weeks they said...) Our great British summer has nearly killed the combination, and it'll need a lot of work (and money) to get going again

[spud]

Very Nice Dierk. as for the 6 bolts are u that mad?

[dierk]

Sept 7, 2012 14:11:45 GMT -5 spud said:

Very Nice Dierk. as for the 6 bolts are u that mad?

'fraid so ...probably got some Masterclub ones floating about.

[spud]

LOL

[dierk]

Thanks Boo - I'm quite pleased with them myself...worth the hassle and aching fingers. Still have to grind the sticky-out ends of the wires off.
To the party I welcome you Doc - although you do sound a bit like Yoda
I got on pretty well with the wire - and being on a limited budget, that's just as well I suppose. What caused the most aggro were the ridges of flash in the mating surfaces. If just a little bit was left, it caused a misalignment which led to the wire missing the hole and bending the end of the link.
You're just in time to watch me running, screaming and arms flailing, into the mouth of madness: I've just had a proper look at the Lion Roar PE...fiddly doesn't even come close - I hope my ability gets a move on and catches up with my ambition

I found out a little bit more about my chosen subject "мститель" (Avenger) and from what I could cobble together with the 'aid' of a translation program(me), it appears it had quite a successful and lengthy career in the hands of the Russians. Captured on the 25th of August 1941, it first saw battle at the Bryansk (?) front in Autumn of that year. Commandeered by colonel N.N.Radkevicha it was part of the 57th army at the South-West front from the 18th of Feb '42 until the 15th of March, at which point it became part of 9th Army at the Southern front.

Here endeth the history lesson

I'm afraid the extra link is a bad idea...fool that I am I added one to either side before checking what it looks like on the model...quite frankly, it looks pants:



Immediately removed it again.

Dierk

[Hinksy]

Superb - sorry I missed this one!

I have built several Dragon Stug III's, a Cyber hobby StuG III, a Tamiya 1/48 StuG III G with Milliput Zim and finally - this kit!

The Tamiya StuG III Ausf B. This kit was is far the best StuG III kit going (for the money)! Easy to build and it looks killer too!

I'm glad to see you are using Friuls. Get rid of that darn crappy thin Friul wire which is ideal for fine detailing and get some 0.5mm pins or 0.5mm diameter Brass Rod and use that too. MUCH better!

Here is my attempt at this kit - It's one of my favourites:



I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with this.

As for the Friuls, I wouldn't paint them - I'd buy some AK Friul 'Blemishing' Liquid. Soak the two runs after they have been assembled in the liquid for ten minutes and they'll come out a perfect Track-Black colour. You will be able to file down the raised areas and guide horns to show contact wear and a rust wash works well too.

Photo of Friul Pz III Winterketten tracks following treatment with the Blemishing stuff:



Keep the photos and updates coming!

Ben

[dierk]

Glad you joined us Ben, and thanks for sharing your Stug.
Being a tightfisted so-and-so, I used Spade Ace tracks (30% cheaper than Friuls) and continuing on the theme of stinginess, I'll have a go at making my own burnishing liquid: vinegar and bleach - I'll let you know how I get on.

First bits of bling have joined the kit: the engine grills - and this is where the first dimensional difference has raised its ugly head...the Lion Roar PE is for the Dragon kit, which uses bigger grills, so I had to use the bits provided by Tamiya.

Pictures tomorrow - time to veg out in front of the telly.

Dierk

[spud]

wow that's a lot of sag for one extra link, an as you will have the tank heading into combat the tighter look will be better as some of the sag would be lost when in motion

[wbill76]

Wow...a huge difference between one link in or out! Definitely too much sag the 2nd time around but looking good in terms of progress!

[deafpanzer]

Definitely that's a lot of sagging. Well, some people do like it that way...



Am with guys... it will look great once you take one link out. Love those Friuls!

[dierk]

quite like a bit of sag myself - although the variety I prefer can be found by googeling 'ultra low rise jeans' ;D I was very tempted to post a picture, but then thought better of it...

Off to blacken my tracks - bit stinky, so I'll do it at my 'safe-house'

[spud]

let us know what u use and how it goes,

ill never understand how them pants never fall down

[dierk]

Haven't got round to doing much, just added a few bits and pieces here and there and got rid of some others.
The hull is now glued together - first I had to fill the locating holes for the tow-cables. The gap at the back will disappear once the PE brackets are in place.
This is how it might end up looking with tank-riders in place:





I have to say, some of the PE parts are really tiny Just looking at what is involved in making the bracketry and strappery for the tow-cable mounting is turning me into a gibbering wreck...

Does anybody know if the wooden stocks on soviet weapons were finished with a glossy lacquer? Was the wood treated at all?

[spud]

how did your track blackening work out Dierk, tank Riders look good, i would prob not use the guy in the middle tough

[dierk]

Sept 10, 2012 8:44:40 GMT -5 spud said:

how did your track blackening work out Dierk, tank Riders look good, i would prob not use the guy in the middle tough

Don't know yet - I'm about to go and find out...keep your fingers crossed. You're probably right about the guy in the middle - sticks out a bit far, doesn't he?

[modelfreak72]

Looking good so far dierk! I if the PE is giving you the jitters, don't worry about it, do what is comfortable for you. As far as the stocks go, they were treated but to get them out quickly it was only one or two coats.

[robbo]

Good progress Dierk, the sag was too much, the headless figures look good in position

[spud]

that is what i was thinking Dierk