Now some will be saying that its about time Bob actually finished a kit and i cannot blame you :sad:
I have in the garage 6 kits in various states of painting, some waiting to be primed, some primed and others in different stages. On the bench I have the R35, Brummbar and Hummel waiting to be painted.
As I am starting to feel a bit better I thought I might use the garage sometime next week to start up the painting production line. However Julie made me speak to my surgery, I then had a call from my doctor who told me in strong words that as I still have the virus and despite I think its getting better I am to stay in and not even venture out to the garage. My doctor asked why the garage, when I said all I want to do is some paint spraying he had a fit.:flushed: sure the phone was glowing red after the call, so doc knows best
So as I am slowly improving I am planning a build to hopefully start sometime next week, in the house of course and yes guess what it is?? been rechecking my knowledge and more research
So second part of the much stalled StuG Fest
A little history of this Ausf
After the 30 Ausf A were completed by Daimler Benz a further 20 were ordered. If you read the Panzer tracts books on panzer production and the new D Doyle book on the StuG they say only 6 were ordered as the last 6 of the Ausf A produced were taken to equip the 1st SS, so extra StuG’s were needed to equip other units. However the History facts book states that up to 20 were ordered, confusing? I am told by History facts that they have a photo of an Ausf A2 with a chassis no showing it was the 7th made so that clears that up! Thanks to Wolfgang and Peter at History facts!
To ensure these were made quickly the A2 were built using completed but without superstructures from Pz 111 Ausf F hulls taken off the production lines at the Alkett factory in Berlin. Alkett were now to be the only StuG makers until the Ausf G in February 1943 when MIAG joined in. The Pz 111 F hulls then had a StuG superstructure added making this Ausf the first ‘hybrid’ StuG, this is a Pz 111 hull with a StuG superstructure, not the only time this happened!
The added superstructure was from the new StuG Ausf B which started production at the same time as the A (2), June 1940.
The difference between the Ausf A and the A (2) are as follows, the A (2) had;
This shows the Ausf A superstructure roof with the original gunners roof hatch
This shows the Ausf A (2) with the superstructure from the new Ausf B with redesigned gunner hatch
This shows the front of the Ausf )2) I hope you can see the extra items, fitted to the Pz111 F but NOT to a StuG A
Side view of a Ausf A(2)
Two pictures of Ausf A (2) in the field
Most of the parts to make a A (2) are in the Ausf A kit apart from the extra front armour and Notek lamp, I do like the way Dragon leave loads of spares!!
I do hope this is not boring or over the top and is found to be of interest chaps???
cheers bob
I have in the garage 6 kits in various states of painting, some waiting to be primed, some primed and others in different stages. On the bench I have the R35, Brummbar and Hummel waiting to be painted.
As I am starting to feel a bit better I thought I might use the garage sometime next week to start up the painting production line. However Julie made me speak to my surgery, I then had a call from my doctor who told me in strong words that as I still have the virus and despite I think its getting better I am to stay in and not even venture out to the garage. My doctor asked why the garage, when I said all I want to do is some paint spraying he had a fit.:flushed: sure the phone was glowing red after the call, so doc knows best
So as I am slowly improving I am planning a build to hopefully start sometime next week, in the house of course and yes guess what it is?? been rechecking my knowledge and more research
So second part of the much stalled StuG Fest
Dragon 1/35 StuG Ausf A (2),
A little history of this Ausf
After the 30 Ausf A were completed by Daimler Benz a further 20 were ordered. If you read the Panzer tracts books on panzer production and the new D Doyle book on the StuG they say only 6 were ordered as the last 6 of the Ausf A produced were taken to equip the 1st SS, so extra StuG’s were needed to equip other units. However the History facts book states that up to 20 were ordered, confusing? I am told by History facts that they have a photo of an Ausf A2 with a chassis no showing it was the 7th made so that clears that up! Thanks to Wolfgang and Peter at History facts!
To ensure these were made quickly the A2 were built using completed but without superstructures from Pz 111 Ausf F hulls taken off the production lines at the Alkett factory in Berlin. Alkett were now to be the only StuG makers until the Ausf G in February 1943 when MIAG joined in. The Pz 111 F hulls then had a StuG superstructure added making this Ausf the first ‘hybrid’ StuG, this is a Pz 111 hull with a StuG superstructure, not the only time this happened!
The added superstructure was from the new StuG Ausf B which started production at the same time as the A (2), June 1940.
The difference between the Ausf A and the A (2) are as follows, the A (2) had;
- 20 mm of extra armour screwed on to the front plate, the Pz 111 had 30mm but the StuG A had 50mm of armour.
- Steering & brake ventilators covers on the upper bow plate, only time on a StuG
- No shot deflector in front of the drivers visor, this is because the Pz 111 F had hatches with hinges front to rear not side to side as on a StuG
- Escape hatches on the hull sides but welded shut, not the only time
- Notek light added onto the left front fender
- New design for the gunners roof hatch, as fitted on the new Ausf B
- Still used 38cm tracks but generally had the new wider tyres
This shows the Ausf A superstructure roof with the original gunners roof hatch
This shows the Ausf A (2) with the superstructure from the new Ausf B with redesigned gunner hatch
This shows the front of the Ausf )2) I hope you can see the extra items, fitted to the Pz111 F but NOT to a StuG A
Side view of a Ausf A(2)
Two pictures of Ausf A (2) in the field
Most of the parts to make a A (2) are in the Ausf A kit apart from the extra front armour and Notek lamp, I do like the way Dragon leave loads of spares!!
I do hope this is not boring or over the top and is found to be of interest chaps???
cheers bob
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