StuH 42 & StuG. III Ausf G late production (Rye Field Models RM - 5086 1/35) Chapter 5: Panzerwerk resin tracks

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My Panzerwerk Design tracks have turned up and I could not wait to check them out. They arrived securely and safely packaged. Inside the branded cardboard box there contained a small instruction sheet, two bags of links, and two bags of half-pins (inner and outer) These bags were additionally packaged inside small individual plastic boxes. Both the links and inner and outer link pins were nicely rendered, and all of the pins were of uniform length and arrow straight. There are 220 links and pins which is more than enough for both Pz.III and Pz.IV running gear. 

They assembled without an issue or breakage. Not a single pin broke and they all engaged into each link with a satisfying and reassuring ‘click’. I must admit the carpet monster consumed around three or four half-pins but that was totally self-inflicted. 

 

They articulate well and look absolutely stunning 

StuH 42 & StuG. III Ausf G late production (Rye Field Models RM - 5086 1/35 ) Chapter 4: Alkett or MIAG?

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As we have seen already, there are a few features that were unique to the final batch of both Alkett and MIAG built Ausf G's. Unfortunately unlike Miniart, RFM do not specify which ones this kit represents. They just provide parts for both. Most parts you are instructed to add, do point to an Alkett built vehicle; but the instructions are not clear enough. The inclusion in the kit of almost all the features of both is a big plus, it just would have been smart of RFM if thay had labelled the instructions with each manufacterer parts when there was a choice. So, if this is your first StuG kit and you would like to build an accurate version, you just need to work out which parts are particular to which manufacturer, as its far too easy to add a mixture of both! Missing-Lynx is your friend here😉

If depicting an Alkett build, it is worth noting that RFM only include the original round type MIAG installed tow cable brackets. Alkett brackets were a unique square shape and as the kit part is moulded to the tow hooks, they ideally will need to be replaced along with aftermarket copper braided tow cables. Both Modelkasten and Panzerwerk-Design offer these brackets as of writing. 

Observing the details on the Alkett track guards; the tubular supports are not quite as faithfully represented as they could be. The shape is not 100% accurate, but inclusion of photoetch strengthening ribs does improve their overall appearance. The rear convoy light RFM provide is not one that either manufacturer fitted. It should be of the tube type design. These can be found as spares in many Panzer kits. I believe RFM’s own Panther kit has them. 

StuH 42 & StuG. III Ausf G late production (Rye Field Models RM - 5086 1/35) Chapter 3: Gun box, engine deck and fixing the loaders front armour plate

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I’m currently building up the engine deck which comes as a separate moulding but I’m not going to attach all the parts permanently until I can confirm how the Legends Production stowage I have just ordered is contoured to fit. 

 

Engine deck, armoured engine hatches, and gun box roof all test fitted

StuH 42 & StuG. III Ausf G late production ( Rye Field Models RM - 5086 1/35 ) Chapter 2: Construction fixes

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A construction fix which can trip you up was pointed out to me by a fellow modeller and involves the two strengthening ribs (parts D13 & D14). You are instructed to add these to the undersides of the gun box in step 13. What they do in essence, is create a channel which allows the gun box to align squarely onto both of the thin lower hull side plates. The problem is that they only need to be fixed a fraction off and the channel can become too narrow. To remedy this I can advise  attaching these parts directly to the lower hull instead. There are alignment slots in the lower hull side plates too, so it’s a really simple fix and will avoid any potential fit issues.

 

 

StuH 42 & StuG. III Ausf G late production (Rye Field Models RM - 5086 1/35) Chapter 1: What's in the box & construction begins

 

Having recently finished building RFM’s Panzer IV Ausf J and currently still having lots of fun with their Panzer IV Ausf J interior kit, I really fancied tackling another one of their 1/35 armour kits. The engineering is so good, and the plastic such a similar colour match, that I keep thinking I’m building a Tamya kit😉  Which can be no bad thing at all!

 

Panzer IV Ausf J (Rye Field Models RM-5033) Chapter 7: Drathgelflechtschurzen (mesh space armour)

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Construction of the  Drathgelflechtschurzen (mesh space armour). 

In addition to having the option to fit all the spaced armour, you can build it without any of the fittings added by simply adding the kit provided blanking plates which fit to the upper hull. To replicate this option accurately you would still really need to drill lots of very small holes in the track guard side profiles, where the lower brackets would have attached. That will involve a very fine drill and a very steady hand!

 

 

The tubular top rails provided in this kit only come with cut-outs to allow fitment of the spaced armour panels, so if fitting them you have to attach all the panels. Unlike the most excellent Dragon Ausf J kit #6575 there are no additional tubular rails offered without any cut-outs. This addition allows you to still display the rail without any panels fitted. If you wanted to display the odd panel missing on this kit you would have to fill any appropriate cut-outs. I notice RFM in one of their CAD images simple show the brackets attached to the rail where a central spaced armour panel is missing, which is a little strange. In reality the bracket was welded or bolted to the rear of the spaced armour panel which then clipped and bolted over the rail. 

The upper brackets connect the tubular rail to the rear of the panels. The lower brackets connect the rear of the panel to the track guards. These lower brackets are in two parts to allow for two fitment options. This was to enable the use of wider Winterketten/Ostketten tracks. The upper rail brackets are in one part and have two fixed positions, whereas the track guard brackets had to be adjusted to sit further out to accept the wider track type. The outer portion of this lower bracket needed to be positioned horizontally to clear the wider track type. In step 17 these are only shown fitted in the vertical position to accept the regular tracks included in the kit. The real bracket was hinged but you need to decide which option to you want beforehand (unless you fancy drilling and pinning all eight brackets!)

 Track guard brackets postioned for wider tracks

 

 

And for regular track fitment

 

 

Panzer IV Ausf J (Rye Field Models RM-5033) Chapter 5: Turret

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With the upper hull fitment conundrum remedied it was time to move onto the turret.

The gun breach and cradle parts are exactly the same as on their interior kit. Although not called out, a few other interior items from this kit can be found on various sprue trees. There appears to be a few different boxings of this kit which will have slightly altered sprue layouts. Unfortunately, although the rotating turret floor moulding is present both are missing the crucial bracket parts that would enable you to add a full basket to the turret surround. However, even with what is available, there is still plenty of detail to eyeball, shoud you model any turret hatches open.

Panzer IV Ausf J (Rye Field Models RM-5033) Chapter 4: Track guards and upper hull

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Putting asside the completed lower hull and running gear the next steps involve populating both track guards with all the pioneer tools and fittings. You are also instructed to assemble and fit the two part engine cooling louvres. These attach to the track guards before the Aufbau assemby is constructed and added. Again, everything fits extremely well. Unfortunately the C hooks were a bit of a disappointment. They both had two prominent and visible sink holes on one face and will require filler. I simply replaced one from the spares bin. I also sourced a 3D printed empty fire extinguisher holder.

Panzer IV Ausf J (Rye Field Models RM-5033) Chapter 3: Building the lower hull and running gear

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After inspecting all the contents and making a note of what might be available I started with step one as per the instructions. As this was RFMs first Pz.IV kit, designed along with their interior kit released later that year, the lower hull is built up in sections to allow for additional interior detail. Any opening hatches come as separate items which is to be applauded. All the flatpack lower hull parts erect positively and cleanly and although there is no internal bracing to fit at this stage it all lines up straight and true. It is worth noting that due to the tight friction design of the sidewall to floor plate connection, some pressure does need to be exerted whilst the glue bonds, to ensure that both pieces sit completely flush along their whole length.

 

Panzer IV Ausf J (Rye Field Models RM-5033) Chapter 2: Ausf J History and what variants can the kit build

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A little bit of Ausf J history

The Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausführung J (Sd.Kfz. 161/2) is the ninth and the last variant of the Panzerkampfwagen IV medium tank family. This variant was distinguished by numerous simplifications made to prior variants to accelerate production and conserve valuable materials. This last variant included replacing the single-speed turret traverse electric power drive with a two-gear manual traverse, in favour of extra space used for fuel storage. This was a last-ditch effort to increase Panzer IV production rate and compensate for tank losses. 

Panzer IV Ausf J. (Rye Field Models RM-5033 1/35 2 in 1) Chapter 1: Whats in the box?

Using the well researched Panzer Tracts No.4-3 publication once more, I was time to unbox Ryefield Models (RFM) 2 in 1 kit RM-5033.

This was released at the same time as their interior #5043 kit and uses similar flat pack engineering to create the Wanne (hull tub). This kit allows you to build both a gun and an artillery observation tank. The instructions have you build the gun tank option with a three return roller hull, with extended side towing eyes. This is also how you are instructed to build up the gun tank in kit 5043. However, although not in the instructions, you can backdate the gun tank in both kits to a slightly earlier production variant, without some of the very last features. All the parts are available on the sprues.

This is a kit I have very much been looking forward to building.  It will be my first RFM kit and I have only heard goods things about them as a manufacturer. Although I understand Pz.IV purests have spotted some accuracy issues, the kit engineering is much lauded. So without further ado lets get started.