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

Previous chapter

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. 

Comparing 1/35 aftermarket metal & 3D printed tracks (2024)

Aftermarket track links are not cheap. Let’s get that out of the way first. Often as much as 50% of the price of a kit! Whether you think they are good value and will enhance a build will be down to personal preference. Although kit manufacturers have made great strides in improving what they now offer in their kits, whether it be individual tracks, workable, or the link and length type, there is no denying that these all have a huge advantage over the conventional fixed or rubber band type. The natural sag that a set of workable links exhibit is difficult to replicate. Whilst Friul metal tracks were once the go-to for aftermarket tracks, let us look at some recent additions to a rook of 3D printed ones that have recently hit the market. 

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

Previous chapter

 

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

Previous chapter

 

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!

 

Tiger I Late production (Dragon 6253 1/35) Chapter 1: Whats all the fuss about?

With the 80th D-Day anniversary just around the corner and just the one decade on since I purchased this, I have finaly got round to popping the lid!

What can I say about this kit? Well after 19 years since its release it still looks to be the gold standard for Tiger I kits. Tiger guru David Byrden had a hand with technical advice with this one and his website https://tiger1.info/ is invaluable to anybody who likes to model these big cats. He even has a page dedicated to pointing out both errors and fixes for pretty much every Tiger 1 released to date,

Scrolling down on his webpage to this particular Dragon kit 6253  there are still a few small issues to address. No real cause for concern, just a few little anamolies that David points out and advises how to solve. Looking at all the big box Takom builds on his site, I notice even these current releases still have there issues. Some of which were not present on this kit 19 years ago The one big bonus they have over this Dragon kit, and one that the current crop of Tiger I late kits over the last decade have adopted, is the inclusion of moulded on zimmerit. Although some folks still prefer to make there own or use resin sets, I think the majority of modellers welcome this.

Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper (sWS) armoured cargo version. Chapter 7: Setting the tone (Applying wet and dry mud effects to the chassis and running gear)

As I plan to display this vehicle abandoned in a field in a late 1944 ETO setting, the running gear is to receive a fair amount of wet and dry mud effects.

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

Previous chapter 

 

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 6: Tracks

Previous chapter 

 

RFM offer individual links together with a fitting jig. They are an appropriate type for the vehicle. Along with this out of the box solution I had quite a few other options. First up I had the three-return roller link and length tracks leftover from the Border kit. In addition I also had two 3D printed aftermarket sets.  T-Rex and QuickTrack. As I hadn't yet tried them, I finally opted for the QuickTrack snap fit set.

These are type 7 links and come in two bags for both left and right fitting. A small bag with a few open links and wire, to which you can thread through to close a completed track loop is also included. Both runs were built up in an alarmingly quick 20mins. They do indeed simply snap together and are far more robust than they look once assembled. 

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

 Previous chapter

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.