StuG: Another reason to ditch the dead French guy & sign (3 Viewers)

[Canadian Samurai]

Like I said. An X-acto knife a little putty a little paint a little time and talent. Presto!! Dead anyone you want 'em to be?
O.C.

I'm not going to bother spending time and money trying to fix something I never wanted to pay for in the first place. No, I think I'll sell him.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys

Here is some info I found in my books and on the web.

Sturmgeschütz III Ausf A-E / Sd.Kfz. 142, Sturmgeschütz III Ausf F-G / Sd.Kfz. 142/1, Sturmgeschütz IV / Sd. Kfz. 167.

Sturmgeschutz III was originally designed as an assault weapon, but as war progressed it became more of a defensive one. It evolved into an assault gun and tank destroyer in one. Its main role was to providing anti-tank support to the units in its area of operation.

Variant: Production Period: Number Produced:
Ausf A January - May 1940 30
Ausf B June 1940 - May 1941 320
Ausf C May - September 1941 50
Ausf D May - September 1941 150
Ausf E September 1941 - March 1942 272
Ausf F March - September 1942 359 + 1 prototype
Ausf F/8 September - December 1942 334
Ausf G December 1942 - March 1945 7720 + 173 converted

An interesting note for the Stug III service in North Africa. There were 3 Stug III C models deployed to North Africa. They participated in the attacks on Gazala and the capture of Tobruk. The Stug F/8 was the model where the side skirts were added.

The last models built on the Panzer III hulls were the 10.5 cm Sturmhaubitze42 which was an artillery howitzer designed to fill the need for more fire power. There were 1211 plus 1 prototype built from October 42 to February 45. They also built The Stug FI which was a flamethrower model that was never issued for combat as far as I can ascertain from my sources, 10 were produced. They also built a Stug version with a 15cm gun 24 were produced.

Jagdpanzer IV Sd. Kfz. 162 - 75mm L/48 (1944)

Stug IV production follows: Jagdpanzer IV was an improved and modified version of Stug III, designed as eventual replacement for it. In December of 1942, new tank destroyer with 100mm frontal armour, armed with 75mm Pak 42 L/70 gun (variant of the gun that was used to arm the Panther) and based on PzKpfw IV.

Model: Production Period: Number Produced:
Jagdpanzer IV
(Sd.Kfz.162) January - November 1944 769
Jagdpanzer IV/70(V)
(Sd.Kfz.162/1) August 1944 - March(April) 1945 930(940)
Jagdpanzer IV/70(A)
(Sd.Kfz.162/1) August 1944 - March 1945 278

Production of PzKpfw IV was not stopped and it remained in production till March of 1945. Heinz Guderian, however, was against the Jagdpanzer IV as he saw Stug III to be adequate and was against diverting the resources from PzKpfw IV tank production. As a result, Jagdpanzer IV entered production but at much slower rate of production as originally planned.

Panzerjäger V Jagdpanther Sd. Kfz. 173

Jagdpanther was based on standard Panther chassis with superstructure being an extension of the upper front hull (80mm thick armor) and side (50mm thick armor) plates. The new superstructure housed the fighting compartment with main hatch in the rear wall that was used by the crew to enter and exit the vehicle as well to load the ammunition.

Production Period: Number Produced:
December 1943 1
January - December 1944 226
January - May 1945 198
Jagdpanzer VI Jagdtiger Ausf. B Sd. Kfz. 186

The Jagdtiger was based on the Tiger II's lengthened chassis (by 260mm) and components. It was armed with 128mm Pak 44 L/55 gun (taken from the Maus) and one, later two MG34/42 machine guns for local and later air defence. The gun had limited traverse of 10 degrees to the left and to the right. Its gun was the most powerful and the largest anti-tank weapon used in action during WWII and it could easily destroy any Allied tank from the range beyond the reach of most Allied guns.Overall, from July of 1944 to April of 1945, only 85 Jagtigers were manufactured (out of 150 ordered)

Panzerjäger Tiger(P) - Ferdinand / Elephant Sd. Kfz. 184

Ferdinand was a heavy assault tank designed by Porsche and built by Nibelungenwerke, especially for the needs of the Eastern Front. They were employed at Kursk and then Italy.

Production Period: Number Produced:
April to May 1943 90

Hope this is helpful. Its amazing the numbers that were produced along with the tanks and other armored vehicles.

All the best

Dave

 

[Rob]

Thanks for posting that Dave,was indeed very helpful.

Rob

 

[Capitolron]

For the Record - I am in the market for DEAD FoB Figures - send them my way

 

[sceic2]

Disregarding the issue of the dead French guy, I got my FOB38 Stug III Ausf. B yesterday. I just want thank Andy for such a great version. At one time or another I have had in my collection all of the versions of the K&C Sturmgeschutz Assault Guns and this is the best one of them all. The detailing is spot on and the tank commander with the hand set is just remarkable. I sold the earlier versions when K&C began to dramatically improve its work. I hated WS14 (s) and (w) and the destroyed mini-diorama. The ugliest tanks I have ever owned, except for a couple of 1:35 plastic models I made when I was 6 or 7, and they may have been better looking than those things. The newer versions WS47 and WS69 are really good too, but the FOB38 is a much better finished tank. I display it with my early Germans (with the bridge) going up against my allied FOB sets and I use the dead French guy with the sign. It all works very well for me. Thanks Andy for such a great Stug, and oh yeah, thanks the dead guy too. I have him under the front of the Stug ready a run over (if I don't put him there my grandkids will, they are always looking for guys to run over with tanks).

 

[aujj65]

This would make a nice little dio. I belive thats the little Sd.kfz.252 Transporter that K&C already make.

Jeff

 

[OzDigger]

Jeff, great idea. I also read that the Sd.kfz.252 Transporter Halftrack used be used as an ammo carrier and it would be a terrific extra for any display where it's used to load up a tank etc. I was thinking it would be especially great with the Hummel but I believe they used an enclose Hummel for ammo supply with those, but just maybe

I know there are a number of guys on the forum that collect the K & C aircraft but I'm only really interested in ground support aircraft such as the Fiessler Storch etc, imo the biggies are just to big to display in most situations and expensive to post.

 

[Rob]

Yes i agree Oz,ground support planes will also have more chance of fitting in with my figures.

Rob

 

[damian]

Disregarding the issue of the dead French guy, I got my FOB38 Stug III Ausf. B yesterday. I just want thank Andy for such a great version. At one time or another I have had in my collection all of the versions of the K&C Sturmgeschutz Assault Guns and this is the best one of them all. The detailing is spot on and the tank commander with the hand set is just remarkable. I sold the earlier versions when K&C began to dramatically improve its work. I hated WS14 (s) and (w) and the destroyed mini-diorama. The ugliest tanks I have ever owned, except for a couple of 1:35 plastic models I made when I was 6 or 7, and they may have been better looking than those things. The newer versions WS47 and WS69 are really good too, but the FOB38 is a much better finished tank. I display it with my early Germans (with the bridge) going up against my allied FOB sets and I use the dead French guy with the sign. It all works very well for me. Thanks Andy for such a great Stug, and oh yeah, thanks the dead guy too. I have him under the front of the Stug ready a run over (if I don't put him there my grandkids will, they are always looking for guys to run over with tanks).

Some photos would be wonderful. It sounds like a cool display.
Regards
Damian

 

[aujj65]

Jeff, great idea. I also read that the Sd.kfz.252 Transporter Halftrack used be used as an ammo carrier and it would be a terrific extra for any display where it's used to load up a tank etc.

Oz. All (?) that would be required would be a re-paint and a trailer.

Jeff

 

[OzDigger]

Oz. All (?) that would be required would be a re-paint and a trailer.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff, I just had a read of a few of my reference books and the trailer was usually included in its ammo carrying roll, but frankly I can't see K & C making that trailer. The vehicle was only made for a short period, I guess because of its limited capacity.

 

[aujj65]

Thanks Jeff, I just had a read of a few of my reference books and the trailer was usually included in its ammo carrying roll, but frankly I can't see K & C making that trailer. The vehicle was only made for a short period, I guess because of its limited capacity.

Oz.

Do you have 'Encyclopedia of German Tanks of WW2' by Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle? Reference to 413 produced between June 1940 and September 1941 and issued to Sturmartillerie batteries. So I think it could be possible for the future.

Jeff

 

[OzDigger]

Oz.

Do you have 'Encyclopedia of German Tanks of WW2' by Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle? Reference to 413 produced between June 1940 and September 1941 and issued to Sturmartillerie batteries. So I think it could be possible for the future.

Jeff

Yep, a handy ref that one. Considering the build dates I suspect they ALL would have originally been painted either grey, grey or grey Of course the K & C version towing the fantasy aircraft could have been repainted at a later date

 

[Canadian Samurai]

Finally got my StuG a few days ago for my birthday and am quite happy with it, aside from the fact the gun is depressed a bit too low. Anyway, I thought I'd resurrect this thread to point out another small potential accuracy issue I just discovered with K&C's new StuGs.

As usual, along with the vehicle I buy an accompanying book to learn more about my purchase. In this case Osprey New Vanguard 19: Stug III Assault Gun 1940-42. On page 8 it says: "Originally, the Sturmgeschutz was only outfitted with one ultra-short wave receiving radio set without intercom. Only the commander had earphones. As in a normal towed artillery application, a loud speaker was used for the gun crew to hear the commands. This loud speaker was mounted to the left front of the gunner. The commander communicated with the driver utilising a speaking tube with funnels at each end".

So the problem with the K&C StuGs are that both crew guys sitting outside the tank have earphones. Since mp3 players didn't exist back then, I'm not sure where the other guy got his earphones. So an accuracy purist should probably leave the guy sitting on the roof in the box, which is a shame because he's nicely painted.

The book goes on to note that an intercom and better radio system were not installed until the D and E versions. The model K&C has made is definitely a B and CANNOT be a D or E because of the ribbed sight channel dug out to the right of the gun, among other reasons. The commander cannot be talking with the crew through the mic in his hand because the StuG B had no intercom. He would have to be talking on the radio. That still leaves the problem of the other crew member, who probably shouldn't have those earphones.

If someone knows whether K&C's model is in fact correct in this regard, I'd love to hear it.

 

[aujj65]

These are Toy Soldiers so I would ask does it really matter?

Jeff

 

[Canadian Samurai]

I'm glad you asked!

My answer would be: why yes, yes it does!

To keep them on the path of historical accuracy, the manufacturers need to know we're watching!

 

[gk5717]

That does it, I want my money back! I can never look that stug in the face again.
Andy, the audacity of you to try and deceive your loyal customers.
Gary

 

[Pierre]

Jeff, Gary-

If you are just buying toys, then the answer is no.

For someone who wants to buy replicas, then the answer is yes.

At 129,00$, it is expensive to have a plaything as you seem to perceive the FoB038.

Ask yourself, would you buy a German soldier patrolling with a French white poodle?

 

[aujj65]

Jeff, Gary-

If you are just buying toys, then the answer is no.

For someone who wants to buy replicas, then the answer is yes.

At 129,00$, it is expensive to have a plaything as you seem to perceive the FoB038.

Ask yourself, would you buy a German soldier patrolling with a French white poodle?

Pierre.

Whatever we think, it appears that, French Poodle or not, the Stug is the 4th best seller this week according to the K&C web site!

Jeff

 

[Pierre]

Pierre.

Whatever we think, it appears that, French Poodle or not, the Stug is the 4th best seller this week according to the K&C web site!

Jeff

Jeff-

Who cares about the sales of the Stug except Andy? This is not an argument. This is only an excuse and a poor one.

I understand that you will buy anything. This is your right but it is also the right of others to point out the inaccuracy of one item.

I am collecting Andy's new warbirds. They are expensive but worths every cent that they cost but, be sure, I will never buy a Messerschmitt Me 262 that supposedly took part in the Poland's campaign.

Pierre.