Friday, February 21

A smaller Saukopf? MiniArt's 72nd scale Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.G 1945 Alkett Prod.

MiniArt has made alterations to their 1/72nd scale StuG III Ausf.G to create an Alkett production version from 1945 for their latest kit. We have original vehicle photos plus six marking choices & the kit's features in CAD our preview...


A smaller Saukopf? MiniArt's 72nd scale Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G 1945 Alkett Prod.

Sturmgeschutz III Ausf.G 1945 Last Alkett Prod
From MiniArt
Kit No #72110
1/72nd scale
The kit contains six marking choices in the box.
Photo-etch & clear parts are included
The Subject: Sturmgeschutz III Ausf. G 1945 Alkett Production.
The StuG Ausf.G entered production in December 1942 and remained in production until March/April 1945. It was the most numerous of all Sturmgeschutz III, and some 7893 were produced by Alkett (Altmaerkische Kettenfabrik GmbH) and MIAG (Muehlenbau-und-Industrie AG). Production reached its peak when, in 1944, 4013 Ausf Gs left factories. Alkett produced over 5000 Ausf, while MIAG began production in March 1943 and produced some 3000 vehicles.

One of the marking choices of this kit. The Sturmgeschutz III Ausf. G "701" from the 9th Panzer Division, Hohenstaufen", Hungary, Balaton Area, Spring 1945.
The Sturmgeschutz III Ausf. G's modifications included the introduction of an 80mm cast Saukopf (also known as Topfblende) mantlet in February 1944; the coaxial MG in early 1944, installation of Nahverteidigungswaffe (90mm NbK 39 close-in defence weapon) and roof-mounted remote-controlled MG (Rundum Feuer) in late spring of 1944. In addition, vehicles produced since January 1943 had the fighting compartment fan mounted on the rear superstructure wall instead of the roof. Two kinds of "Saukopf" mantlets were produced and mounted on the Stug III Ausf G, one housing only the gun and the other housing the gun and coaxial machine gun (from September 1944). Original "boxy" gun mantlet was made of 50mm (front) and 30mm (sides) armor plates. Ausf Gs were also mounted with 5mm Schurzen since mid-1943.

The second version of the kit markings (no. #815) is shown here. The caption we have is "630th Tank Destroyer GI S German Tank Near Zweibrucken."

The Topfblende/Saukopf mantlet:
From October 1943, some Ausf.G versions were fitted with the Topfblende pot mantlet (often called Saukopf "Pig's head") with or without a coaxial mount. This cast mantlet, which had a sloped and rounded shape, was more effective at deflecting shots than the original boxy Kastenblende mantlet that had armour varying in thickness from 45 mm to 50 mm. The lack of large castings meant that the trapezoid-shaped boxy mantlet was still also produced until the very end. Topfblende were fitted almost exclusively to Alkett-produced vehicles.

The kit: Sturmgeschutz III Ausf. G 1945 Alkett Production kit from MiniArt.
This kit is a continuation of the StuG Ausf. G kit from MiniArt, this one with the very easily identifiable "Saukopf" mantlet as the first point of difference. MiniArt has provided CAD drawings of the kit so we can see how the kit looks, also the colour choices and decals - Six versions of the Sturmgeschütz are available inside the box.
This kit does not feature an interior, so a fast build is predicted, which suits a lot of modellers. All of the ion. All of the hatches can be modelled in open or closed positions, and the weld seams on this kit are accurately depicted for this version.
The CAD drawings of the sprue layout...
The photo-etch sheets in this boxing replicate the thinner parts of the tank. These can be placed on as singles or as the full run; choose your subject and replicate it from there. The photo-etch is also shown here.
Decals/markings for six options: you can recreate different historical units, including those deployed in Hungary's Balaton area in spring 1945. 
The colour choices/patterns to choose from in this boxing.
This kit is due for release in a month's time
See more about all of MiniArt's kits on their website...