First Legion - LWG011 German Stug IV - 5th Panzer Division Wiking (1 Viewer)

[wayne556517]

What are peoples thoughts on this beast, it is still available, was there a problem with it?

 

[Mastercom10]

What are peoples thoughts on this beast, it is still available, was there a problem with it?

The main issue is the absence of anti-magnetic Zimmerit coating, which was present on all tanks and SPGs from December 1943 to September 1944.
Since the Viking Panzer Division received 22 StuG IVs in March 1944, LWG011 should have been coated with zimmerit (as elsewhere LWG012 and NOR089).
And also, still that unrealistic blackened muzzle brake !.

 

[FirstLegion]

 

[joesgis]

I think it excels the most in this area: FL makes the most beautiful tanks. Take a look at the paint work on the side skirts. I think it's a wonderful model.

 

[Hunter Rose]

And also, still that unrealistic blackened muzzle brake !.

Mastercom, you might be better served saying your preference is for a non-blackened muzzle brake, because you think it looks better. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, and I'm sure there are other collectors who share your sentiment.

However, making a factual declaration that a blackened muzzle brake is unrealistic is just incorrect, especially on a winter whitewashed Stug.

First, batches of KwK 40 and StuK 40 muzzle brakes were literally finished in solid black and installed in AFVs. Second, the photographic record has scores of pictures (like the ones below) of whitewashed Panzer IVs and Stugs with their KwK40/StuK40 muzzle brakes solid black after seeing action. First Legion's treatment of the blackening is actually very realistic, where the muzzle brake itself is black and then there is less powder residue weathering on the cannon barrel the farther it gets away from the muzzle brake.

 

[Mastercom10]

Mastercom, you might be better served saying your preference is for a non-blackened muzzle brake, because you think it looks better. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, and I'm sure there are other collectors who share your sentiment.

However, making a factual declaration that a blackened muzzle brake is unrealistic is just incorrect, especially on a winter whitewashed Stug.

First, batches of KwK 40 and StuK 40 muzzle brakes were literally finished in solid black and installed in AFVs. Second, the photographic record has scores of pictures (like the ones below) of whitewashed Panzer IVs and Stugs with their KwK40/StuK40 muzzle brakes solid black after seeing action. First Legion's treatment of the blackening is actually very realistic, where the muzzle brake itself is black and then there is less powder residue weathering on the cannon barrel the farther it gets away from the muzzle brake.

View attachment 358450

View attachment 358451

View attachment 358452

View attachment 358453

View attachment 358454

Hunter, aesthetics aren't really my priority.
What's most important to me is historical accuracy, and I think producing tank models with SYSTEMATICALLY blackened muzzle brakes is more of an artistic choice than a reflection of reality.
Indeed, some period photos as you attached show dark-colored muzzle brakes, but this is far from being the norm.
You mentioned that the 75mm KwK40 and StuK40 guns were literally finished in solid black and installed on the tanks and SPGs.
I have no information on this and would be interested to know your sources if you're willing.
In the documentation on the subject, it's generally accepted that the entire gun barrel was painted with a grey heat resistant primer, either left as is or repainted with camouflage colors.
Like some authors, I thought that the very dark color, especially on whitewash tanks, was due either to the high contrast between Dunkelgrau and white in the black and white photos (before the Dunkelgelb of 1943), or to repeated contact with grease and the various solvents used to clean the gun barrel.
However, I am very skeptical that the muzzle brakes blackened so uniformly due only to firing.
The Germans did not use black powder, and therefore their ammunition was smokeless.
The combustion gases travel forward at high speed so they do not curl around backward to deposit soot.
In fact, I think the muzzle brakes must have had some kind of discoloration due to the extreme heat generated by the firing.
For those who are interested, I have attached a rather rare photo of a StuG IV from the Viking Panzer division during the summer of 1944 (with zimmerit coating).