The OFFICIAL Panzer III and Its Variants GB

Hello guys,

To keep my good friend Mr Andy Deafpanzer happy by getting all Pz III variants completed and in an effort to add another StuG III variant to my cabinet, I'm building the Cyber Hobby 9119 kit which is the somewhat odd/quirky StuG III Ausf C/D. I've already built the Leningrad Pz III N and SiG 33 for this GB as I love Panzer III and StuG III builds - not too many wheels!

The kit has a long barrelled gun and Saukopf Mantlet and is based on a very late war machine in Hungary '45.

It's pay day today so everything is ordered. It's not quite an OOB build as it has a rather unpleasant looking split-seam barrel so I've ordered an RB replacement metal barrel (StuK L48 7.5cm).

The kit also has Magic Tracks but I want this to be a truly beautiful build so I'm stashing the Magics for use on a future Tamiya Pz III or similar and have ordered later style Friuls - I'm hooked on them and as I only build about 4 or 5 'big' builds a year (i.e. all singing and dancing with Friuls etc) that this could be one of them. I mean: hey - it's payday!

The kit is now out of production but Hannants in the UK had about 20 on the shelf with a nice discount too. Normally this would have cost £29.99 but I picked her up for £19.99 plus £3.25 postage.

It's all ordered with first class postage so I'm hoping the kit get's here tomorrow so I can make a start straight away.

I'll enter a proper opening post with photos when I begin the build.

Here is the link to the kit:

http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/DN9119

Cheers guys,

Ben

Hi guys,

I've found the photo of this very vehicle.

It shows no Zim, an early war superstructure yet a long StuG 'G' barrel and late war 'Saukopf' or Pigs Head' Mantlet.

This is my StuG! I'll be building a bit of a wreck but a working one. It won't be in as bad a state as the one shown below!

Cheers guys,

Ben

Ben- Hey lad!  Yes we are allowed to call each other lad here in my GB. LOL   I am so happy to have you back to help us close that LAST StuG gap... Ausf C/D.  One thing I have learned for sure when you asked me for help locating a good kit for this variant and it made me realize there are really not many choices out there.  Hope we will see more in near future... 

Boy, I think you do need professional help to fight your Friul tracks addiction.  But I do not blame you!  I bought two sets at recent model show myself for a good deal.     

Dig the picture you posted of StuG III C/D... it looks like hairspray technique may be a good candidate for this?

Pz III Update - Starting the upper hull and fenders - the late J has several varied features from the earlier J - spaced armor plates ... will leave off tools until after paint ... acquired AK interactive - special modulation set - German Dunkelgelb. Armor86

armor86-  Great process on your Panzer.  Good luck using this set.  Let us know how you like it. 

This AK set is top on my shopping list.  AMPS in Auburn is coming up next week and AK will be there hopefully they sell everything even the owner Mig will be there too.

Hey lads,

My new StuG III Ausf C/D kit arrived at 11am this morning! Pretty good service considering I ordered it yesterday at 3pm - well done Royal Mail

I'll keep this brief as I did the main intro post on here yesterday. What I have found out about this kit is that it's a real mish-mash of StuG III bodywork. Part of the early war StuG III C and D, a late war Saukopf (or 'Pigs Head') Mantlet and a barrel from a StuG G early (I think it's an early).

There is a photo which was taken of this vehicle after it was knocked out. it's basically a wreck but does prove that this Hybrid did indeed exist! In the photo it's possible to make out details like the barrel and Mantlet, paint scheme and numbering on the side of the casemate (123) - the same as this kit!

What I plan to do is assemble OOB leaving the wheels, barrel and tracks off. I'll be painting it like it is shown in the photo with a basic Dunkelgelb base coat and remnants of a whitewash - I'll do the whitewash using the hairspray method. The wheels will be painted separately using my Quickwheel Mask and the aftermarket RB barrel will be painted in a Parkerised Grey colour to suggest a brand new upgunned StuG that has had a new barrel hurriedly fitted but not painted - it is 1945 after all! Finally I'll be using Friuls as, according to Andy, I'm addicted to them! I am but they look awesome and I'm happy to be able to have a complete set of Pz III Magic Tracks leftover from this kit to put in the spares tub for a future Tamiya Pz III build maybe?

I'm going to show a battered old tub that is still fighting but on it's last legs - like all my previous builds I'll no doubt have the odd appear above my head to help things along! I'm thinking rough stowage, heavy chipping, battle damage and general wear and tear.  I've had a good old rummage through my spares tub and have plenty of interesting goodies like a Dragon metal tow-cable that is pre weathered (rusted and dark in appearance) that will sit nicely on the build and will help with that 'rough' appearance. Also some long PE straps that can be used and PE tool clamps that can be used to updgrade the current tools without clamps.

I've dug out an old magazine that is totally devoted to Panzer and StuG III's and there is a perfect guide contained within to gain a hairspray whitewash that is heavily faded. There's also a few photos of later StuG G's and one really caught my eye - T34 tracks had been welded onto the bolted-on armour up front and they looked great with them big old spikey guide horns!

(I need 6 or 7 Friul T-34 links to make this up if anyone can help).

I've been working from home today so I will be making a basic start tomorrow - photos!

This is the actual StuG that I'm building!

Box Art:

The supplied Figures look great!

Some Sprue Shots: 

Part of the Magazine Article:

Note the StuG in the little middle photo below at the bottom of the page with the added T-34 links. I like that look!

WIP commences tomorrow!

If anyone has a few spare T-34 links knocking about spare I only need about 6 or 7?

Also, I'd love to hear any suggestions on this build any directions in which to take it

Thanks guys - here we go again!

All the best,

Ben

Hey Ben, I built the old original imperial series of this kit a few years ago. Seems to me that it went together pretty well. The tracks were of the older Dragon type and I drilled out the guide horns on them for further punishment. 

The photo you have of the wrecked Stug was taken, I think, in a suburb of Stettin called Altdamm on Jan 1945. 

Andy-I've been lurking here for a couple of weeks admiring the work that the group has been doing....anyway, I pulled the StuG III Ausf F out of the stash and started today....it's the1/35 Dragon Orange Box edition.

I'll post some pics later this week.

Ben- WOW!  That was pretty quick... now you have an extra day to build it before your weekend ends.  Sounds like you have a plan... wish I can help you with T-34 tracks.  Remember I don't do Russian armor...  Good luck with this... 

That figure set looks like a winner.  Now I want to buy it... any chance do you know what Dragon number it is?  I am a big fan of troops in marching mode.  

John- That's one real nice looking StuG!  Did I see it last month?  You really for AMPS?  PM me soon!

Bob- Welcome back!   I am glad you are going to build your Stug III F.  Wondering if it is the same kit Chazzer was working on because he ran into some issues earlier.  

Looking forward to follow your WIP!  I enjoyed your 109 build... impressive camo job!

ogrejohn

Hey Ben, I built the old original imperial series of this kit a few years ago. Seems to me that it went together pretty well. The tracks were of the older Dragon type and I drilled out the guide horns on them for further punishment. 

The photo you have of the wrecked Stug was taken, I think, in a suburb of Stettin called Altdamm on Jan 1945. 

Hey John,

That is one superb looking StuG C/D! Really impressive and I do mean that!

May I ask, what colour and paint type did you use for the base coat? I'm going Dunkelgelb too but that shade you have there looks perfect! Is it specifically a Darker DY or did the Weathering process just darken it up?

The photo I've posted shows what looks like an early style StuG with Saukopf Mantlet and upgunned long barrel from the late version G? I've been led to belive that this StuG in the photo is what this kit is based on, a cut & shut Hybrid using parts taken from the scrap pile and mated to make a new StuG? I'm not sure about the second part but I belive in the part about that photo showing this kit, right down to the number on the side of the Casemate, # '123'. The kit says it is Hungary 1945 so it all fits.

I want to show that it's been scraped together and may be 'inventive' and use the odd splash of colour to show a replacement wheel being used here and there that has been painted in Rotbraun perhaps. I also want to show plenty of damage from, both battle and general hard use! Bent Fenders and heavy chipping is the order of the day! Being plastic I think I'll have to carefully try the hot lamp method to allow me to bend the Fenders in some corners. Infact I'm tempted to show that entire portion of the front of the left hand Fender to be missing exposing the track beneath

Andy: The figures are great and extremelly well detailed. Should you wish to paint one for me you can have the other three along with all the accessories - I'll chuck in $'s to cover your time, postage and ? I want to put it on a small base and have a soldier walking alongside but as I said in my pm my attempts so far do not warrant one of my painted figures to stand alongside one of my tanks as the figures look so bad! I'll get there but need a LOT more practice!

The Dragon/Cyber Hobby kit number is 9119.

WIP update later!

All the best,

Ben

Thanks Ben! It's been a few years since I built this but I think I did a white primer, preshade with Tamiya flat black and then used Tamiya XF60 Dark Yellow lightened a bit with flat white. The weathering and preshading did darken it up. I always lighten the dark yellow because the weathering usually does darken it. This was the first time I had tried to do a preshade and the first time I tried doing indy links. I'd like to go back over it sometime and add a bit more chipping. It was built completely out of the box. 

As far as the wreck photo, it is an Ausf C up-gunned to a StuK 40 L/48 75mm gun that had been returned to the factory for repairs. Everything I've read says it was destroyed in Altdamm, a suburb of Stettin, in Jan. 1945. Pretty amazing considering it was produced from May-Sept. 1941and only 50 were built. 

Sounds like a good plan you have for building it. Bash it up good! 

See? Old "Imperial Series" kits do build up nice!

Hey guys,

Just a brief update but at least I can say that the StuG is underway and looking okay. I've assembled the lower hull and fitted the suspension arms, rear mufflers, Drive Sprockets and the rear Idler assemblies. The Idlers are dry fitted at present so don't worry if they look a bit 'wonky' in the photos below!

The Cyber Hobby build is weird. Like my SiG that I also built for this GB they provided a really nasty, badly moulded sprue with the wheels and suspension arms on that need mega clean-up and the plastic is really soft and not nice to work with - the sprue in question lacks the Dragon logo too?The only upgrade to this Sprue is a 'Z' sprue that contains finely detailed outer halves for the front drive sprockets with nice bolt detail. Luckily the main sprue with the highly detailed parts and casemate and Fenders/tools is totally different and very much a Dragon Sprue - that has perfectly moulded, crisp parts and the Dragon logo on the sprue too!

Anyway, it's all go now - good progress has been made and I'll be starting the Casemate assembly next weekend. 

The Friuls and replacement RB Barel should hopefully be here tomorrow too!

Thanks for looking lads,

I hope you all have a great week and take care too!

All the best,

Ben  

dupes

See? Old "Imperial Series" kits do build up nice!

I am with you Dupes... will not hesitate to buy another Imperial kit if I see a good deal at shows.  

Ben- Your lower hull is looking good!  I am glad to hear that this kit is better than your previous C-B kits.  

Guys- Finally found time to play with my little StuG over the weekend.  No boys!  They were gone camping for Boys Scout... they do every month pretty much now.  

Love those Friul tracks... its Ben's fault!  They are completed and ready pending weathering job. 

Realizing I missed some spots so I scrubbed whitewash off mostly on the edges and corners.  Started with the detail painting... still a long way to go. 

I think the crew is anxious... 

Thanks for keeping this GB rolling...

Hi Andy,

You misunderstand matey. The Sprue that Cyber Hobby provide for the Pz III StuG III chassis that DOESN'T have the Dragon logo on is a horror - the moulding is soft and the plastic feels awful - luckily the Sprue with the Dragon logo on 'feels' like proper Dragon and is crisp and nice and at least allows the Drive sprockets to be upgraded to look better.

The rest of the Sprues are fine and are detailed perfectly - I just hate that damn chassis sprue as it was the same one that came with the SiG!

Them Winterketten Friuls are sweeeet, ain't they!

Looks like one killer build there Andy!

Ben

Andy - looking good! Love the Friulis.

Did you decide yet what our new deadline is to bang out the last few missing variants?

Ben- Opps!  I didn't read your last post carefully... so its mixed result.  Knowing you and your talent I think you will be able to handle it.  

Dupes- Glad you liked the tracks.  Instead of dry brushing steel on the tracks I used sandpaper to remove the paint where contacts are made.  

Deadline?  What deadline?  I am very flexible... I was thinking about end of summer like August 31st... two months extension.  From my experience many new GBs usually starts in September so I can sign up.  I hope to finish my StuG in couple of weeks... you know me... a slow builder.  So I will need 2-3 months to finish the second build.  

But this time I might do two builds at the same time thru the summer... Dragon Imperial Pz III Ausf K and Tamiya M8 Howitzer.  There are some advantages of doing two builds at the same time... priming and less time cleaning the airbrush. 

With Friuls, I think the sandpaper method is best...why make it LOOK like metal when you can just rub them down to REAL metal?

I used to think the same way about the "multiple builds" philosophy - to be honest, I finished more builds when I was only working on one at a time. Don't let yourself fall into the 20-WIP trap!

Oh, and end of August sounds like a good idea to me. Will definitely have time to bang out the Flammpanzer by then. Might even be able to scrounge that set of Voyager skirts in time.

Tracks look great Andy,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The Cavalier zimmerit was delivered today -- yay! Now I can rip into the superstructure, slap on the grills and generally move this animal along. Am considering a hairspray job for the whitewash...

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Hi lads,

got my ATL-05 Friuls yesterday (I thought I'd be clever and get some late war track seeing as it's a mash-up of old and new anyway) but I had to question the solid guide horn. Bill has said that's fine so the Friuls are good to go and look very nice too.

The barrel, isn't what I had IDEALLY wanted. It's a StuG III G middle and in the photo on the Armour Models website it looked like it had a round Muzzle brake but it turned out to have the oval one like a middle G barrel would have (should have researched ) but seeing as this is a real mix of old and new I'm happy to go with it if my supplier hasn't got the very late war round muzzle brake late 'G' barrel in. I'd like it though and the Mantlet will be added last so if it takes two weeks to get in then so be it.

Other than that - off we go!

Cheers folks,

Ben

Hey lads!

RB 35B89! Woo hoo!

That's my barrel - found it at last!

Now we can can get going - and my supplier has it in stock. StuG III Ausf G 'Final'!

Updates anyone - let's keep this thread on the first page!

Ben  

Dupes- I am glad you agree about extending the GB to end of August.  Thanks again for your comment about the tracks.  Come on, don't be too shy about Voyager skirts!!!  We all know you love skirts...  

Bill- Thanks buddy!  

Mike- Glad your Zimm set has arrived finally.  Can't wait to see your WIP...

Ben- Love those RB barrels.  Yours look real nice!  First page?  We are a bunch of humble modelers...

Boyd/brownii – very sweet Stug III; I like the weathering and there is enough subtle variation to the panzer grey as to not look monochrome. Very nice, cheers and congrats on the award! I will try MT for the first time in my current build.

 Armor86- nice progress on the Ausf J; I am unsure of my own rear lower hull (Tamiya Ausf L) in terms of when to paint the muffler. Oh well, already glued in, we will see what I do.

Brian – congrats on your 1:1 build, now those are EXPENSIVE ones with plenty of AMs (I will be paying two college tuitions next semester….). Congrats to you and mom;  cheers mate!

Ben – Look forward to your next build!

Andy – Glad about the extension; been doing minor work on my builds as I complete couple of P51Ds on my bench. I will add the Flammpanzer, it’s the orange cyberhobby kit, or do a different one if dupes will build that one. I want to build a dragon/cyberhobby offering side by side with the old Tamiya one.

I do more than one build at a time for practical reasons; I am still learning techniques and such and like to do two builds of same vehicle at once for variations. I also have to “queue” my painting since I use enamels and can only AB in my booth in the attached (unheated) garage. So painting is put on hold over winter time. And sometimes I just want to unwind a bit from work and the LAST thing I want it to spend an hour bending PE, so may switch to a different WIP for a day or two.

I will upload some pics tomorrow/weekend I hope, cheers all 

James

The two other probables for this GB in addition to the Tamiya Ausf L:

Pz.Kpfw Panzer III Ausf G Afrika Corps Cyber-Hobby Orange Box 9116

Flammpanzer III (F-1) Cyber-Hobby Orange Box 9113

JMart- Both kits really look great!  Just follow your instinct what will make you happy.  Couple of guys have built the Pz III Ausf G a while ago when this GB started.  Dupes is planning to do Flammpanzer next.  Any chance do you have Tauchpanzer Pz III? It is the only remaining gap we hope to close?  

It is going to be fun!  John (ogrejohn) and I are going to AMPS show in Auburn today and we are looking forward to it.  Maybe we will be able to find a Tauchpanzer III kit at the show...

Hi guys

Nice to see the GB still going strong! It was early last year that Andy was talking to meabout running a Pz III GB and we're still going strong! Personally this is my third entry into this GB! You've gotta love the Panzer and StuG III's

It's been a while since I've had a chance to sit down and get stuck into a kit due mainly to work constraints. With the day and house to myself I thought I'd get stuck in. I'd got the chassis out of the way so I thought I'd get the casemate assembled which was a really simple assembly and left plenty of time to get the Fenders done too.

The left Fender was dropped on with the Notek fitted too and I decided to some wear and tear to the right fender by removing the front section which should work well as it will nicely expose the tracks and allow for some good weathering opportunities.

The tools will be left until after basecoating then I'll paint them and fit them then weather it as one whole assembly.

I'm working 2pm - 10pm tomorrow so that puts a stop to much assembly but will give me time to get the other little bits fitted like the headlight assemblies and antennae holder, Notek and the roadwheels assembled and cleaned up - I plan to chip them up the rubber real good with the Dremel and Dental Burr tool tip. I'll also make a start on the Friuls and next weekend I'll get some painting started. I'm undecided on a faded whitewash or a battered heavily weathered basic DY - I like the second idea better.

I'm still waiting on the barrel but that should be here next week.

I'll post an update on what progress I make tomorrow!

Todays work:

The Mantlet has been dry-fitted btw, just for the photos:

ATL-05 Friuls - late war tracks with the solid guide horn:

Cheers guys,

Update tomorrow - I hope you like her so far!

Ben

Hello Boys! Man there is so much good stuff going on that I won't give individual kudos for fear of missing someone. WOW!!! The work is amazing! I log-on every day to see the great builds. I've been busy with work and such but I've finished the Stug B. I think I need to put on an air recognition flag and might do so. Anyway here she is. My first complete build and weathered. Not as good as all of you but I'm still proud. Any suggestions or comments are welcomed. There are LOTS of picts! :

ANDY, THESE ARE FOR YOU!!!:

I'm taking a break from the "F". This Cyberhobby kit SUCKS. It's not fun so I will pick it up in a few weeks. Then I will just speed build it and concentrate on the paint job.

gotta go...

Scott