Stug Support (1 Viewer)

[Phantom Warrior]

Good luck identifying exactly the version of Ausf. G. Early versions returned for repairs were often re-equipped with parts from newer variants creating non-standard versions.

There are some telltales to look for to see if it is an early, mid, or late Versions and non-standard mixed versions.

Stug III used the waffle pattern almost exclusively due to the factory that produced them. Zimmerit was used from Dec 1943 to Sept 1944. However many earlier Stug III had zimmerit applied in 1944. So this stug was produced/upgraded during during Dec 1943 - Sept 1944.

There were 2 types of Saukopf mantlet. The first type from Feb 1944 to September 1944 had a main gun only. From September 1944 there was a coaxial MG. The K&C model has only a main gun.

Early Stug III had 50mm front armour with a 30mm bolt on plate. From October 1943, Mid and late Stug III had 80mm frontal armour.

Rear mounted instead of roof mounted fan Jan 1943.

But Stug III also had schurzen from mid 1943 - especially in Russia but not so much on the western front.

It looks like a mid production Stug III without schurzen??

Terry

 

[Thompyt]

Good luck identifying exactly the version of Ausf. G. Early versions returned for repairs were often re-equipped with parts from newer variants creating non-standard versions.

There are some telltales to look for to see if it is an early, mid, or late Versions and non-standard mixed versions.

Stug III used the waffle pattern almost exclusively due to the factory that produced them. Zimmerit was used from Dec 1943 to Sept 1944. However many earlier Stug III had zimmerit applied in 1944. So this stug was produced/upgraded during during Dec 1943 - Sept 1944.

There were 2 types of Saukopf mantlet. The first type from Feb 1944 to September 1944 had a main gun only. From September 1944 there was a coaxial MG. The K&C model has only a main gun.

Early Stug III had 50mm front armour with a 30mm bolt on plate. From October 1943, Mid and late Stug III had 80mm frontal armour.

Rear mounted instead of roof mounted fan Jan 1943.

But Stug III also had schurzen from mid 1943 - especially in Russia but not so much on the western front.

It looks like a mid production Stug III without schurzen??

Terry

LOL Thats what I was thinking as well. I was aware of the upgrades and retrofits as well and was hoping this was not the case. That would muddy the waters way too much.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

LOL Thats what I was thinking as well. I was aware of the upgrades and retrofits as well and was hoping this was not the case. That would muddy the waters way too much.

I had a longer look at it. The Stug has the 30 mm bolt on armour plate making it an early Stug made before May 1943. Rear mounted instead of roof mounted fan put it after Jan 1943.
That was before zimmerit was used (Dec 1943 to Sept 1944) and before the first type of Saukopf mantlet (Feb 1944 to September 1944) was used. So it looks like an early Ausf G made between January 1943 and May 1943 then upgraded with a new mantlet and zimmerit between February 1944 and September 1944 about the time Hitler was secretly stockpiling AFV for the Battle of the Bulge.

I don't know if Andy intended this hybrid version, but that is what it looks like And I would have preferred it with sideskirts.

Terry

 

[Thompyt]

I had a longer look at it. The Stug has the 30 mm bolt on armour plate making it an early Stug made before May 1943. Rear mounted instead of roof mounted fan put it after Jan 1943.
That was before zimmerit was used (Dec 1943 to Sept 1944) and before the first type of Saukopf mantlet (Feb 1944 to September 1944) was used. So it looks like an early Ausf G made between January 1943 and May 1943 then upgraded with a new mantlet and zimmerit between February 1944 and September 1944 about the time Hitler was secretly stockpiling AFV for the Battle of the Bulge.

I don't know if Andy intended this hybrid version, but that is what it looks like And I would have preferred it with sideskirts.

Terry

Shaving off the bolt heads would make it a lot easier.

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Is the accuracy of the design or build in question. ^&confuse

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Is the accuracy of the design or build in question. ^&confuse

No. It seems accurate. The question was asked what version of an Ausf. G is it. (i.e. Just wondering who the father was)

Terry