fmethorst
Command Sergeant Major
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2008
- Messages
- 2,443
Packaging
The packaging for this piece matches the same high quality you see for the figures of the Stalingrad line with precision cut foam holding everything snugly in place. The often mentioned light weight of this piece plays a key role in ensuring a successful shipment as well since its inertia is lower than a comparable heavier piece. The vehicle, accessories and figures all arrived undamaged.
Initial Impressions
My first impression of First Legion’s StuG III Ausf.F/8 was the fine detail which reminded me more of a professionally finished 1/35 model kit than the polystone vehicles with which we have all become familiar. The wheel and track detail in particular was very nice to see. As noted the piece is much lighter than comparable polystone piece yet I wouldn’t go so far as to say it felt as light as a plastic kit. Overall the build felt sturdy and it never felt fragile in my hands.
Accuracy
This is another area where I look to FL to set the bar high and they did not disappoint. The vehicle being modeled is a StuG III Ausf.F/8. A total of 250 (Fgst. 91401 - 91650) of this model were produced at Alkett between 9/1942 and 12/1942. The F/8 is based on a newer chassis than the F, the 8.Serie/ZW (PzKpfw III Ausf.J). Since the armor supplier was behind schedule the majority of the F/8 batch were actually built on diverted PzKpfw III Ausf.L and Ausf.M hulls. The frontal armor had to be brought up to the 80mm specification by the addition of supplemental armor. Initially this was welded on but starting October 1942 it was bolted on as depicted in FL’s model. The new hull is readily identified by the two front towing holds shaped from the extended sidewalls of the chassis which FL has captured correctly. VEH001 has two antennas indicating a command vehicle (i.e. Battery commander). The unit emblem on the piece represents Stug.Abt.245 which is appropriate for Stalingrad.
Colors
Now we enter an area that is more subjective than objective so the statements made here are strictly my opinion. The main color on VEH001 is somewhere in between grey and brownish tan. It almost certainly would have ended up in the 7000 range (grey) of the RAL register. It is too grey and brownish to be “Dunkelgelb nach Muster” and definitely represents an improvisation prior to the H.M. 1943, Nr. 181 regulation of Feb. 18, 1943 to improve the camouflage of vehicles serving in southern Russia. There are several pictures of light colored Stugs in the Stalingrad vicinity in 1942. Does the color FL has used accurately represent those light colored Stugs? It really isn’t possible to say so I will say the color as depicted is plausible.
The colors of the assault gun uniforms for the crew members look appropriate. The piping on the hat and shoulder boards appear to be the correct red (for artillery) although I had to look close. At first it looked pink to me.
Weathering
Like the section on colors weathering is an area that is subjective. For me the weathering on VEH001 conveys dirty and faded. Overall I am satisfied with the weathering and don’t feel the vehicle looks too new. One effect that doesn’t appeal to me is the “rust” streaks. These don’t seem appropriate for an AFV.
Insignia/Emblems/Markings
The insignia/emblems and markings are all nicely applied and are straight. The balkenkreuz have a little bit of weathering/dirt applied over top of them which is a nice touch. I feel the unit emblems could have used a similar treatment as they seem a tad too new looking.
Scale
The size of my model rounded to the nearest millimeter is Length: 184mm, Width: 104mm, Height: 76mm. Using the Panzerworld web site as a source (http://www.panzerworld.net/stugiii) this translates into a scale of 1/28.7 (4.3% over scale). Now the important thing for me is how a model looks next to the figures it is being displayed with. In this regard I feel the FL figures look correctly proportioned relative to the vehicle. The slight over sizing is not sufficiently noticeable to detract from the overall look of the vehicle with the figures.
Conclusion
To say I am very happy with First Legion’s first foray into the AFV arena would be an understatement. The level of detail and the overall quality really raise the bar once again. Time will tell if the new materials and methods introduced with this piece represent a paradigm shift or simply a unique innovation. I for one prefer the new methods and materials. Considering the scrutiny this model has had to endure I think it has stood up very well. Is it perfect? No, few things are, but it is very, very good. I have to say I’m even more excited about the Sd.Kfz 232 now.
The packaging for this piece matches the same high quality you see for the figures of the Stalingrad line with precision cut foam holding everything snugly in place. The often mentioned light weight of this piece plays a key role in ensuring a successful shipment as well since its inertia is lower than a comparable heavier piece. The vehicle, accessories and figures all arrived undamaged.
Initial Impressions
My first impression of First Legion’s StuG III Ausf.F/8 was the fine detail which reminded me more of a professionally finished 1/35 model kit than the polystone vehicles with which we have all become familiar. The wheel and track detail in particular was very nice to see. As noted the piece is much lighter than comparable polystone piece yet I wouldn’t go so far as to say it felt as light as a plastic kit. Overall the build felt sturdy and it never felt fragile in my hands.
Accuracy
This is another area where I look to FL to set the bar high and they did not disappoint. The vehicle being modeled is a StuG III Ausf.F/8. A total of 250 (Fgst. 91401 - 91650) of this model were produced at Alkett between 9/1942 and 12/1942. The F/8 is based on a newer chassis than the F, the 8.Serie/ZW (PzKpfw III Ausf.J). Since the armor supplier was behind schedule the majority of the F/8 batch were actually built on diverted PzKpfw III Ausf.L and Ausf.M hulls. The frontal armor had to be brought up to the 80mm specification by the addition of supplemental armor. Initially this was welded on but starting October 1942 it was bolted on as depicted in FL’s model. The new hull is readily identified by the two front towing holds shaped from the extended sidewalls of the chassis which FL has captured correctly. VEH001 has two antennas indicating a command vehicle (i.e. Battery commander). The unit emblem on the piece represents Stug.Abt.245 which is appropriate for Stalingrad.
Colors
Now we enter an area that is more subjective than objective so the statements made here are strictly my opinion. The main color on VEH001 is somewhere in between grey and brownish tan. It almost certainly would have ended up in the 7000 range (grey) of the RAL register. It is too grey and brownish to be “Dunkelgelb nach Muster” and definitely represents an improvisation prior to the H.M. 1943, Nr. 181 regulation of Feb. 18, 1943 to improve the camouflage of vehicles serving in southern Russia. There are several pictures of light colored Stugs in the Stalingrad vicinity in 1942. Does the color FL has used accurately represent those light colored Stugs? It really isn’t possible to say so I will say the color as depicted is plausible.
The colors of the assault gun uniforms for the crew members look appropriate. The piping on the hat and shoulder boards appear to be the correct red (for artillery) although I had to look close. At first it looked pink to me.
Weathering
Like the section on colors weathering is an area that is subjective. For me the weathering on VEH001 conveys dirty and faded. Overall I am satisfied with the weathering and don’t feel the vehicle looks too new. One effect that doesn’t appeal to me is the “rust” streaks. These don’t seem appropriate for an AFV.
Insignia/Emblems/Markings
The insignia/emblems and markings are all nicely applied and are straight. The balkenkreuz have a little bit of weathering/dirt applied over top of them which is a nice touch. I feel the unit emblems could have used a similar treatment as they seem a tad too new looking.
Scale
The size of my model rounded to the nearest millimeter is Length: 184mm, Width: 104mm, Height: 76mm. Using the Panzerworld web site as a source (http://www.panzerworld.net/stugiii) this translates into a scale of 1/28.7 (4.3% over scale). Now the important thing for me is how a model looks next to the figures it is being displayed with. In this regard I feel the FL figures look correctly proportioned relative to the vehicle. The slight over sizing is not sufficiently noticeable to detract from the overall look of the vehicle with the figures.
Conclusion
To say I am very happy with First Legion’s first foray into the AFV arena would be an understatement. The level of detail and the overall quality really raise the bar once again. Time will tell if the new materials and methods introduced with this piece represent a paradigm shift or simply a unique innovation. I for one prefer the new methods and materials. Considering the scrutiny this model has had to endure I think it has stood up very well. Is it perfect? No, few things are, but it is very, very good. I have to say I’m even more excited about the Sd.Kfz 232 now.
! What a fantastic review and outstanding looking set from FL. Your comprehensive contribution here has proved to be highly instrumental to me as I continue to "scout" FL's progress on AFV production. It's quite amazing that this is their first vehicle. It appears as if they've been at it quite literally for years. I really like the full figures, too. That is a fantastic idea by FL to include complete figures in their vehicle sets; I'd much prefer to pay for full figures that I could use in a variety of settings as opposed to partial figures.
