The Modelling News: Preview: MiniArt's 72nd scale StuG III Ausf. G Feb 1943 Prod

MiniArt has taken the detail from their excellent 1/35th scale StuG series and transferred it to their diminutive 1/72nd scale series of kits. We look at what comes in the kit, the markings & CAD images in our preview...

Preview: MiniArt's 72nd scale StuG III Ausf. G Feb 1943 Prod

StuG III Ausf. G Feb 1943 Prod

From MiniArt

Kit No #72101

1/72nd Scale

The kit contains five marking choices in the box.

Five crew are included

Photo-etch & clear parts are included

Product Link on the MiniArt Website

The Subject: StuG III Ausf. G, Feb 1943 Alkett Prod.

The Ausführungs G 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. This tremendous effort was due to a complete reorganization (by Albert Speer) of the production, spread between other manufacturers like MIAG (in 1943) and many suppliers. This was done in order to avoid disruptions caused by the increasingly efficient Allied bombing campaigns. It was, of course, further increased by the gradual replacement of the Panzer III with the StuG III on the same production lines.

Some Alkett produced StuG III Ausf.G's

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 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 squared mask.

By March 1943, simplification pushed to drop the driver’s periscope. Metal return rollers were also required due to the lack of rubber. Rubber saving road wheels had been already tested briefly in November 1942, but not adopted.

Alkett Production in 1943

By May 1943, Alkett started fitting Schürzen (spaced armoured side skirts) to the tanks, but it was rushed out, and the fixations were later proven inadequate at Kursk (this was corrected in March 1944). 80 mm (3.15 in) armour plates were used instead of appliqué armour.

In all, Alkett was responsible for delivering 7500 StuGs, while MIAG built 2586. Alkett also carried out the conversion of 173 older Panzer IIIs to the StuG III Ausf.G standard, and 142 were based on the late Panzer III Ausf.M chassis.

The kit from MiniArt:

The first in the new StuG Ausf.G series from MiniArt in 1/72nd scale. This kit features all of the features that made the 1/35th scale kit great, but in this smaller scale. We have plenty of CAD images to see the built up kit's options...

The old matchbox comparison huh! Although this is just a CAD illustration and the matchbox isn't a real one, we can see the size of the kit next to this 1/1 scale illustrated matchbox.

The photo-etch for the rear deck compartment will be a delicate installation, but that detail!

The alternate rear deck scenario with extra track, stacked roadwheels is just as interesting.

The extra applique armour on the front of the hull really looks great in this scale.

The link and length tracks make for a simple installation, imagine single links in this scale!

The plastic in the kit.

There are nine sprues in plastic included in this kit. The model does not feature any interior parts, so again a simple and fast construction is the hope here. Moe building, but with a similar amount of detail as your larger scale kits...