WIP Tamiya Sturmgeschutz III Ausf.G Build Log

No problem with the build log. They used to be more common on here, when people were not in a GB. BUt GB's seem to have taken over a little, so nice to see a WiP thread. I have seen StuG builds before, but not the Finnish army option. Interesting choice, looking forward to watching this.

Love Stugs, looking forward to this!!! You are right, GB's do grab you and keep you there!! Having just wrapped up with 3 builds for an awesome 190 GB, I can relate!!

Ought to be a fun one to follow along with!

Thank you for not disappearing into a GB, and for sharing this with the Armor forum. We need more individual builds here.

Thanks guys.

  The group builds seem quite popular. But, I have a certain scene in mind and wasn't sure if it would fit within any build. I have a bunch of pics, involving a Finnish Stug and several SS officers. The officers appear to be evaluating the Stug while it is in the field. So, I might also try my hand at creating a diorama for the Stug.

  Right now, I am working on cleaning up all of the pin marks and casting lines.

BTW...any suggestions on a source for diorama supplies?

Also, any manufacturer that specializes in diorama and mounting bases?

This is only the second model I have ever built (I had started a metal-based airplane build, but had to bow out due to medical reasons. So, this will be a restart of a second build). So, please bear with me on the newb questions that will pop up now and again.    :)

On the build...this model is requiring quite a bit of clean up. Not so much flash but pin marks and mold lines. Also, the fit on some of the parts is not what I expected from Tamiya. I do not have a lot of experience, but it appears this kit is a mix. There are some parts that are not even shown on the box. Like a canine...possibly Terrier and parts that look dated.

Am I having a flashback or has Tamiya mixed old and new parts? Is that even possible?

Hi,

The reviews I have seen on this kit have been positive so I recon that this being your second you have chosen a good kit.

Not quite sure what the second picture tells me (I do not have this kit myself), are the grey areas OK and primed and the white areas added to fill kit shortage of detail?

It would not be the first time that a kit is re-released with one ore two added sprues though.

A canine/terrier : Give us a sprue shot please ;)

Hyvää iltaa

Johan

  The grey areas are where I have spread Mr. Surfacer 500 to cover the mold marks. It also serves the purpose of making the styrene even with the fender surface. The white areas are where I have placed styrene to cover the sponson's. When I dry assembled it, I could see a gaping hole from underneath. Figured my guys didn't want to drive around looking at the ground...lol.

Forgot to mention, that the pic is showing the Surfacer drying, before being sanded.   :)

Looks like this will be interesting to follow. 

It is possible that the kit has been reissued and so you have new and older parts combined.

Sometimes the manufacturer will use the same molds for two or more kits of different models (like the: Big Shot Mark A  and then later the same model is issued with some new parts as the: Big shot Mark C)

All the while not being able or desiring to, remove the unneeded parts for the new conversion,  they will just not call them out on the parts sheet, instead calling out only the parts used in the new version.

Its sorta like they give you free extra parts so you can put them in your "extra parts drawer" for a time when you can use them on another project or replace a broken/missing part

Hope this helps 

Pretty much finished the upper and lower hull. Everything went together fairly easy...nothing standing out. Detail seems fine and accurate, compared to the books on the subject. Tracks have been connected and preparing the upper deck.

moving along nicely

Looking good so far.

I have just recently gotten back into modelling, so I am having to re-hone my skills. I have just started my third kit since getting back into it, and planning on my fourth. I have really been leaning towards a Stug kit for my next project, so this WIP is quite timely.

Looking forward to following this one.

Working on final clean up of wheels and sprockets. Breech and barrel almost ready to go. Clean up tools and maybe start painting and weathering them. Tracks have cured and look pretty good...not sure if I am going to start painting them yet.

For some reason, I have been fighting with the barrel/breech setup. I really am making it harder than it is...and not sure why 

Take that...you bad ol' putty tat!  

So what were the other three kits?

CharleyGnarlyP290

Looking good so far.

I have just recently gotten back into modelling, so I am having to re-hone my skills. I have just started my third kit since getting back into it, and planning on my fourth. I have really been leaning towards a Stug kit for my next project, so this WIP is quite timely.

Looking forward to following this one.

Forgot to quote who I was asking the question of...duh...

So what were the other three kits?

Another kit with a dog...

Not sure why Tamiya is putting dogs in the kits, and they are not portrayed in the box or instructions.

Mm...is it like some kind of prize or surprise box?

Keep it coming. The Stug III Ausf. G is one of my favorite AFV's.

 I have been experimenting with paint...I was given a tin of Humbrol Metalcote, from Michtoy (btw, a great bunch of guys at Michtoy.) to try. Not realizing that enamel on arcylic does not work so well. This created a small mess. Also, found out that the thinners I have, do not work with the Humbrol enamel.

 The whole goal is to make the periscope look metallic. So, the experiment continues...

 I have completed the storage box and a couple of other things...here is a quick pic...

  I have started priming most of the parts. The primer is Vallejo and really goes down smooth.

Quick note: I bought a Iwata Neo airbrush from Hobby Lobby. I figured for the price how bad could it be...especially since it had Iwata's name on it. After finishing this tank I will be packing it away. I am going to try to finish the tank with it...but do not be surprised if the HP-C Plus comes back out. The trigger is horrible and cramps my finger. So, I switched to using my thumb, which helped. I guess I am spoiled by the HP...and have started shopping for another Iwata.

  Might be hard to see, but finished shading with black and white primers. I am trying to paint only with acrylics because of the smell. So far, Vallejo is meeting the challenge.

  On the airbrush front, I purchased an Iwata HP-CS for a little over $100.00. It is brand new and came with a moisture trap. I wanted something in the "High Performance" line, but the store did not stock them. The HP-CS is from the "Eclipse" line which is cheaper. My concern is whether it has Teflon packing to resist certain solvents. Otherwise, it sprays wonderfully...great ergonomics and no cramping.

Starting to look nice.

Coat is even and layed down smoothly.

Yeah, I also bought an "inexpensive" compressor on ebay (used)  which I thought was a steal. But the hoses keep tangling and it does not fit very well with my Aztek airbrush, so I keep having this air leak between the connectors. Plus it does not has an air tank reservoir, and can't control air pressure flow at the outlet.

So, I will start saving to buy a top of the line comprressor but I need permission from Home CFO (spouse) they are from $200 to $400 USD....phew....

I use an HP-CS and a Revolution CR and spray anything and everything from water to lacquer thinner through them. Been using it for about 4 years now and have had no problems. Replaced the needle once due to my stupidity but that's it.  Shading looks great!

Looking good with the primer on. Always a challenge to get the right 'comfort fit' with your AB, go with what you know!

Thanks guys for the compliments.

  I got the Smart Jet, from Iwata, and have had no problems. Thank god I spent wisely, there. I love my HP-CS and thought anything with Iwata's name on it would be fine. Funny you mentioned the CR...that was the brush I was getting ready to order. But, the CS was at a great price and so far is doing great. Taught me a valuable lesson, though...

  Not sure if you can see it, but there are injection lines on the spare tracks (which get mounted to the hull). This model has a lot of these injection lines, which surprises me. I do not have a lot of experience with all of the manufacturers, but I did not expect this from Tamiya.

  Sorry about the pic, but I am using my iPad for my photography.

If you can try looking at yard sales for a compressor. I found a nice compressor at a Yard Sale for $30 that contains a nice size air reservoir that has a built in moisture trap. I can run Testors Model Master at 20-30 PSI Gunze Sangyo laqure paint at 40-80 PSI I believe I could probably run Tamiya at 30-40 PSI but I haven't tried it on Tamiya paint yet though. If you want to eliminate the leak try using the white thread tape at the connectors to "plug" the leaks or you can try using the bayonet connectors you use for air tools to connect your airbrush to your hose. That is how I am connecting my Badger 350 to my compressor and have no leaks at the connections.

garzonh

Starting to look nice.

Coat is even and layed down smoothly.

Yeah, I also bought an "inexpensive" compressor on ebay (used)  which I thought was a steal. But the hoses keep tangling and it does not fit very well with my Aztek airbrush, so I keep having this air leak between the connectors. Plus it does not has an air tank reservoir, and can't control air pressure flow at the outlet.

So, I will start saving to buy a top of the line comprressor but I need permission from Home CFO (spouse) they are from $200 to $400 USD....phew....