Tamiya 1/48 StuG III Ausf. G: Calling her DONE! (10/07/11)
Hello folks,
I haven't managed to squeeze in any bench time over the last few weeks mainly due to work, but now things are back to normal I found myself surfing the web the other day at a favourite on line store and really liked the look of the 1/48 Tamiya StuG III Ausf G with the later 'Saukopf' mantlet so I thought it would make a good little build to get back into things and to get warmed up for the Panzer III GB!
Links to kit details:
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/48/tamiya/tam32525.htm
I'm going to be building OOB apart from the standard replacement barrel which I have already sourced from RB for a few pounds. I'm going to be going for my favourite heavily weathered look with this one and hope to be adding some White Milliput Zim. A good friend here in the UK has provided instruction on making a suitable1/48 'Waffle Pattern' Zim punch from thick Styrene sheet cut into a 2mm x 2mm square with suitably placed razor saw lines i.e. two cuts across and two down leaving the required correct pattern - he's tried it and it looks great - he wants to see how I get on as I have this kit too.
I won't be going for an all-over super Zim job but just some around the casemate and front areas - I'll see how it goes as it's something I'm yet to try doing!
I've spent the last two hours on the kit and the hull tub is sorted, all the wheels are done and the bult of the upper hull is nearly complete too. Tomorrow I'll be getting the Mantlet and barrel fitted and she's about done. I knew it would be a simple build but I'm hoping to have more time to expend on weathering and working with this Zim as a result.
There is a good Cupola, no moulded on tools which I hate (all are separate) and a three quarter figure for optional use. I might use him - not sure yet. The upper hull is one piece that, when complete, is simply attached to the lower die-cast tub via two screws. This is handy as it means I can work on the tracks without the uper hull to get in the way and the upper hull can have all the Zim done then fix together following painting of the basecoat, wheels and track assembly to start proper weathering!
I'm not sure about markings or colours. I'm thinking of keeping decals to a minimum and instead of a normal DY I might try some Gunze Sand Gelb which is a bit darker.
Hull Tub, RB barrel, sprues and White Superfine Zim Milliput:
Upper and lower sections and dryfiited together:
Thanks for looking guys,
The BASIC assembly might be completed by tomorrow - time to bring on the Zim!
Kind regards,
Ben 