Scott Espins provides an In-Box Review of DML''s 1/35 kit #6454 StuH 42 w/ Zimmerit.

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Thanks!

Scott you did an excellent job on the review. The pictures are very clear and are not to small. You've convinced me to pick up a couple of these kits. I hope to see more reviews from you in the future, Thanks , Bob

I agree, great review, and I will be adding one of these to my stash.

Thanks,

Darryl

Solid review - good pictures.

The Zimmerit looks very convincing and sharp - might have to buy one... even if its german

A very good review indeed. Personally speaking, it wouldn't be a subject i'd rush out to buy, but you've managed to do it in a sufficiently interesting manner to make people consider it...

Coincidentally, i've just been sent a copy of Xtreme Modelling # 28 which has a very good build feature on a StuH42 with the later (simplified) Schurzen fitted....

Superb review with lots of details.

Two questions:

Suggestions for correcting the fender supports and the weld seams? The latter seems impossibly complex from my perspective.

Thank you gentlemen, I really appreciate the comments and the interest.

I'm moving this kit up in my build queue and will build it for the Eastern Front GB starting June 22, 2008. I'm just dying to build this thing! I'm curious to see how good the zimmerit looks after painting and weathering. It should look really good!

Hmmm.... good questions. I've been tossing around some ideas about that. It might be possible to gently file the area flat where the fender support is. Take a thin strip of excess PE or thin styrene to glue down in its place. It wouldn't be too hard to add the bolt heads. The tube fender support will need to be thinned so it appears crimped like the Tamiya support. Then just ignore the instructions and don't add the PE reinforcing angle that's supposed to be glued on top of the tube.

File or scrape off the tabbed mounting points and texture on the fender, then a PE strip or thin styrene put in its place


This piece would need to be thinned so it looks less round and more crimped


So that it looks more like this


The weld seam problem would be more difficult. Maybe with a few careful swipes with a flat file and then maybe a few scrapes with a sharp X-Acto blade or scribing tool. I'm going to have think about that a little more.

I'd like to try to correct both issues if I can when I build it next month.

Thanks, Scott, I was thinking cast-off PE.

I'd like to see your weld seam solution, since I can't really see the difference in the photos posted (old eyes I guess).

I think some leftover PE fret would be perfect for this. I'll see if I can find a better photo or at least just crop the portion of the photo with seams and post them at a higher resolution so you can see what I mean. It can be hard to spot unless you really know what you're looking for. Once you see it though, you'll never miss it again.

Ok, hopefully these will help. I took a couple of scans from (insert shameless plug here

StuG III Ausf. G Walk Around from Squadron/Signal Publications Excellent reference on the StuG and StuH Ausf. G.

Hopefully these will help. I made a copy of the first photo and outlined a couple of the interlocking weld seams so you'd know where to look in the photos.

Scott ...don't forget there are interlocking plates at the rear as well..

Rick

Nice job Scott not only on the review of the kit but also for explaining in detail the problems with it, this goes a long way to problem solve the issues for people, what more could we ask for

Thanks Ron, I appreciate the comments.

Hey Scott, I have the eariler release of the (Dragon SK) StuH without Zim. I have also thouht about using it for the Eastern front campaign. I wanted to use the new Tiger II (porshe) but cant find much referance material on it. Anyway, good review. I have to pick this kit up.

Thanks Mike. I'd be curious to see how the two kits compare so if you do your StuH for the Eastern Front Campaign I'll be watching with interest.

Were you just looking for some pics of Porshe King Tigers on the Eastern Front? I'd be willing to bet "Tigers in Combat I & 2" would have something. I have both of those books so I'll see if there is anything that would meet your needs and let you know.

Hey Scott, Yes i was looking for pics,unit#s and color schemes for the eastern front.I do have Tigers in combat I(WolfGang Shneider). I couldnt find any solid info on the Porsche version used on the eastern front.

Greetings all,

I just got this kit, and I can back up Scotts' review. This kit absolutely blew me away when I opened it. It is so chocked full of goodies, that words don't do it justice. The zimmerit is incredible...the "imperfect" zimmerit is going to make this kit a real joy to see in the end. One question I have guys: would it be correct to show this Stug with Ostketten/winterketten? This bad boy would look KILLER with some Fruil tracks...I love the way they naturally sag.

Sheesh, Scott, you guys are $%#&ing amazing. Thanks for the excellent photos. "Ask and ye shall receive" takes on a new meaning here. Everyone is so generous with information.

Thanks guys!

Isn't the internet (and Armorama) wonderful?

Excellent review Scott. Thanks much for putting in the extra effort.

Cheers,
Jim

Thank you Jim, much appreciated. I really enjoy doing these.

Excellent review Scott. Good quality photos as well, which really show the waffle pattern and details. I have the Stug III already, but you´ve definately tempted me, with your explanations and images. Nice one.

I agree. A most excellent review. However sthe StuG IIIs and StuH IIIs are among my favorite subject. And since it is based on the reall, really good Smart Kit that I have already built, I will get one.

BTW, there is a really nice, partially restored StuG III G at Ft. Knox. Next time I get out that way, I will try to get some pics.

Nice review!

Can it be altered to a StuH late like the ones present in Arnhem 1944?
It would require:

- altered rooftop of the late G with remote MG point (but no MG), nahverteidigungswaffe etc
- steel wheel return rollers

Anything else?

Eric