Preview: Takom's new 35th scale 2 in 1 StuH 42 & StuG III Ausf.G Early Production kit

Takom's latest April release is a 2 in 1 boxing of the 35th scale German StuH 42 & StuG III Ausf.G (Early) Production from WWII. The market for StuGs is pretty busy at the moment, so we take a look at the kit to see the features in our preview...

Preview: Takom's new 35th scale 2 in 1 StuH 42 & StuG III Ausf.G Early Production kit

StuH 42 & StuG III Ausf.G Early Production

2 in 1 kit

From Takom

1/35th scale

Kit No #8009

1 kit with two options for the gun are included

Photo-etch included 

Link & Length tracks included

4 marking choices are included in the box

The Subject: The StuG III Ausf.G / Sturmgeschütz III / Sd.Kfz. 142
Sturmgeschütz (or StuG) meaning "assault gun" was a simple derivative of the Panzer III signed for infantry support, but it ended as one of the most important German vehicles of WWII. With its low-profile and low cost, it was the real warhorse of the Wehrmacht, shifting from a close support vehicle to a tank-hunter, soldiering without interruption anywhere from North Africa to Europe and Russia. The crews loved it because of its low profile and good armour, and the infantry it was supporting was grateful for its firepower and availability.

The Ausführung G model stood apart from the other production versions. It was, in essence, the main production run for the entire StuG series, with more than 8400 rolling of the line from December 1942 to April 1945, equivalent to the total production of all Panzer IV types combined. 

Simplification and standardization helped to further reduce costs and delays. The main superstructure was simplified. The side sloped armoured boxes were eliminated, and the casemate sides were extended half through the mudguard width. This extra storage allowed crews to store even more rounds. The engine/fighting compartment rear wall was strengthened, the ventilation fan relocated further back and appliqué armour was standardized. Furthermore, the upper MG-34 was factory-fitted, protected by a guard for the operator's protection.

By March 1943, simplification pushed to drop the driver’s periscope. Metal return rollers were also required due to the lack of rubber. The main gun was unchanged, and in June 1944, it received a coaxial MG 34. Another big change was the adoption of a rotating cupola with periscopes, later replaced by a fixed, welded one, because of the sudden shortage of ball bearings. These had shot deflectors generalized by February 1944. Zimmerit anti-magnetic coating was factory applied for just a year, from September 1943 to September 1944.

StuG III Ausf G of III.Panzer-Regiment Hermann Goering, Sicily

The StuH 42

The StuH 42, SdKfz 142/2, or Sturmhaubitze 42 (StuH: Sturmhaubitze (assault howitzer) was a self-propelled gun that was used by Germany during World War II. Only about 1,300 StuH 42s were produced and were based on the StuG III F/8 and G models. The StuH 42 was first developed in 1942 when the need for an anti-infantry support vehicle was needed and the production of StuGs was in full force. It only seemed logical to convert this already battle-tested and readily available chassis into a specialist vehicle and because of the fact that many features were carried over, development time was cut short just in time for the Battle of Kursk where around seventy StuHs fought. They continued in both the Western and Eastern Fronts until the end of the war. In the end, around 1,200 were produced.

StuH 42 with the muzzle brake - This is an early production Ausf G which has additional 30mm armour plates bolted onto the front plate, preserved in the UK.

This kit from Takom

Two well-known German turretless guns will be popular with modellers in this 2 in 1 boxing (1 kit with two options of the gun is included). The kit includes four marking choices. Link and length tracks and hatches that can be opened or closed are other options for this kit.

This kit is due for release in April...

That is all we know about this release for now. You can see more about Takom's kits on their website or on their Facebook page