More StuG goodness now! This time with the JTFM/Die Waffenkammer StuG III.The StuG III was actually quite a diminutive vehicle, even by the standards of the day being only just over 7 feet tall and 9 wide, and 22 feet long including the gun. The vehicle still managed to weigh 23 tonnes, and had a maximum armour thickness of 80mm's. StuG's carried a crew of 5 and 54 rounds of ammunition for it's 75mm main armament.
The StuG had a top speed of around 25mph and used about 1 gallon of fuel per mile traveled. The last recorded combat use of a StuG III was in 1967 in the Six Day War when it was used by Syrian forces. Bulgaria also had some dug into it's borders as static emplacements until relatively recently.
JTFM Enterprises, or as is more correctly know Die Waffenkammer produce a fairly large range of exquisite resin vehicles in 1/56 scale. Much like the Blitzkrieg Miniatures StuH 42 I reviewed here the Die Waffenkammer model comes in only a few main parts, notabley the tracks, hull, Schurzen rails, Scurzen plates, choice of machine gun, and main gun, as well as figures and a bag of stowage. It's worth mentioning the sheer amount of options this kit comes with. Firstly you have the choice of building either a StuH42 or Ausf G with anti tank gun, then if you pick the anti tank gun you have a choice between the standard box mantlet, or later Saukopfblend rounded one. Also included are the earlier style plate gun shield for the MG34, and the later remote controlled weapon mount. Finally, the kit is the only one to come with separate Scurzen rails and Schurzen plates, allowing you to easily model missing plates of Schurzen.
In terms of accessories, the kit is very generously appointed, all the stowage on this one including the stowage rack around the engine deck were included, and the model comes with all the stowage shown both on this model and the Blitzkrieg one. So much in fact I even had some spare. The model also comes with 3 crew figures to give you even more options and spares.Detail wise the kit is fantastic, and builds a spectacular representation of this vehicle. When assembling the vehicle with Schurzen though you may wish to reinforce the plates as they are quite delicate. It's not possible to have swappable guns straight from the box, however if you wished to magnetize the model you could do so.
To paint the Die Waffenkammer StuG I again used the same techniques listed in the Warlord Stug Review here.
It is even more important than ever to use a decent primer on Die Waffenkammer models however, and details of this are included on the models instruction sheet.
Foliage was seafoam, added as described in the Blitzkrieg StuH review.The Die Waffenkammer website can be found here, however there can be quite a long wait between placing an order and receiving the models as Jeff has always got a vast amount of orders. It's worth being patient though as you'll get a very nice model at the end. Alternatively, if you can't wait check out the list of distributers on the page and it will list the stockists local to your country.
In conclusion, a beautiful kit, with no real flaws. As ever more of my work can be seen at Volley Fire Painting Services
Tomorrow I will be reviewing Rubicons new plastic StuG, and on Sunday I will be writing a comparative piece of all 4 StuGs mentioned, and also including Warlords older Resin model too.
Links to the other reviews can be found below:-
Blitzkrieg
Rubicon
Warlord
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