Tamiya 1/35 StuG III Ausf G "Finnish" Version Kit build

[PanzerGarage]

Hi guys,
at the same time as the other Stug IIIG late, I am building this (feels like a factory here) - Tamiya Stug II G Finnish version. Kit review here: http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... 17&t=14879
Quite a difference in build difficulty between this and the modern Dragon - this kit is late 1990s, through to 2010. Still not a bad kit though, easier to build of course. I would highly recommend the Tamiya PE grills - Kit Part number 35199

I will do a video later on this but be wary of the two options. It gives you an early option and late option with side logs that looks quite cool. However, it is technically incorrect as the late version had zimmerit (you can always add) but also the guide wheels supplied are the early rubber type not the later steel type and the gun on the late Finnish Stugs all had the Saukopf gun mantlet - this kit only comes with the early square version. You are actually better off saving the late version parts, build the early and buy the Dragon Late Stug IIIG (see here: http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... 29&t=15042 ) and apply those parts to that. As the Zim is molded on you will have an excellent Finnish example (note you will also need extra decals and Finnish DT MG and wider muzzle brake).
The early Stug examples that come with the kit - Lea, Marjatta (yes the box pic is incorrect) and Meeri never had logs on them, just the late version. This is of course if you want to stick with a specific example, otherwise go for it. (SEE UPDATE BELOW)
Anyway, here is where this is at:





Comparison with the Dragon Stug III G Late. Note Zim, steal guide wheels and overall extra fine detail


You can make the Tamiya kit look good still, the painting will really bring out the line of the vehicle. Finnish Stugs had sharp edges to the cam which can be challenging. Overall look forward to having a slightly different German variation of this vehicle as they fought well in the Finnish campaigns

[PanzerGarage]

Well I think it turns out I may have been incorrect about no Early G Stugs having logs. Well I found this today:

It appears to be an early G with rubber guide wheels, concrete protection and logs. I assume when that later models arrived any earlys that were not committed may have received treatment. It is also difficult to go off modern museum Finnish Stugs as many 1943 early G batch Stugs had their concrete and logs removed for updates in the 1950s and 60s. Basically it appears that anything is possible for the early Stug Gs as orders came through in '44 to add concrete and logs to ALL remaining Stugs. Interesting reading actually.
However, even though I cannot make out the number on the front of the vehicle, none of the Tamiya decals for the vehicle did have logs/concrete.
Does anyone have any details on this vehicle at all?
Interested in its name (if it had one) and number.
cheers

[Opapapa]

The first batch (30 Stugs) that came to Finland in '43 were early G's. If I remember it correctly the Stugs that came in '44 didn't see any action. Looking at the kill markings (they could have been painted there purely for propaganda reasons too) the Stug in that picture might actually be Ps.531-12 "Lea" or Ps.531-10 "Bubi" after modifications. "Lea" had 9 kills and "Bubi" was the highest scoring Finnish Stug with 11 kills.

I don't know if you are familiar with this site but it helped me a lot when I built this same kit:

http://www.andreaslarka.net/assaultguns.html

Good luck with the build!

Olli

[Opapapa]

Ok, I'm 97% percent sure that the Stug in that picture is "Bubi" (Ps.531-10). I saw the same picture elsewhere and it was titled "Bubi".

Here's another (bad) picture with the crew. The logs are in different shape though:


From left to right: Commander Börje Brotell, loader Armas Launikko, gunner Olli Soimala and driver Sulo Kauppi.

Olli

[PanzerGarage]

Cool, will try that. Not sure how I will go paint the Bubi name on though (not sure my hand is that steady!)- my next option will be Lea as I am sure they all looked similar and I have the decals which makes life easier.
Thanks for the website too. I have seen it before as it has some excellent information and the modern photos help, although as they are restored that is unlikely how they actually looked in '44. He did some great research though and very thankful for that.

[Opapapa]

Lea is a nice choice.

Btw, Echelon fine details has a nice decal sheet for Finnish Sturmis that includes Ps. -numbers, victory markings and names for 19 different stugs. Including Bubi.

http://www.lionmarc.com/Echelon/D356060.html

Olli

[PanzerGarage]

Lea is a nice choice.

Btw, Echelon fine details has a nice decal sheet for Finnish Sturmis that includes Ps. -numbers, victory markings and names for 19 different stugs. Including Bubi.

http://www.lionmarc.com/Echelon/D356060.html

Olli

Hi Olli thanks for that. I did a search on my Australian supplier tonight and they actually had a set, so its on the way. That also means I have a solution for my next Finnish Stug G with Zimmerit down the track. Many thanks mate.
I am a bit behind at the moment (I am building my house so have been busy on that) but will get there. Thanks for the advice
Damien