1941 StuG III Ausf B

[PainlessWolf]

Nothing in the Post today. Plenty to do tho' Tonight saw the resin glacis firmly set in the deck with the aid of steel pins glued into holes drilled with the Yankee drill. After that, I created a spacer out of strip styrene to fill a small gap between the casemate and glacis. Seeing that completed and mounted, I looked at the hatches for the glacis and am considering whether or not I want to cut them, get working hinges and do the detail on the underside. The only use I see for them would be access to lube the gear boxes. Something to think over. If anyone has seen metal hatches for this application, shout it out, please. Something heavy with a little detail would go a long way towards dropping the marker onto the 'working' hatches side. I finished the night with some easy fun. I used a Dremel and carefully opened up the tow cable mounts. Using the Yankee drill again, I opened up the binocular sights on the casemate and drilled a hole for a knob on the Smoke Grenade armored box on the rear deck. Using a tiny Tamiya screw, I'll file it and make a knob for that cover. Pics:

[PainlessWolf]

While waiting for the treadplate to arrive in the Post, I wanted to start cleaning up the casemate a little with a couple of small dressing files. I cemented the hatches and hinges over the gearboxes into place on the glacis and added the view block and visor on the casemate after some cleanup. A little more work and one of the small hatches is in place up on top. I also added a little bushing support and a screw on each gearbox in the hull. They are so small and narrow that since there was an attachment point free, I should make use of it. Still pondering working hinges for the Commander's hatch and the gunner's scope hatch. I have feelers out so we'll see. Pics:

[PainlessWolf]

Aber brass Treadplate arrived from Artistic and I have to say: "Best 10.00 and change spent in some time." The plate is an exact match for the HL StuG and PZ III plastic textured fenders. A little sanding and filing and the patches for the removed tools dropped right in. ;o) Pics:

[PainlessWolf]

Nothing in the Post today. Was\am tired and somewhat achy. It was a long Monday workday. ;o) So I spent a pleasant hour doing rear deck detail. That went a long ways towards mood improvement. Pics:

[sassgrunt]

Painless, what are the "styrene blocks drilled for Tamiya screws" for?

By the way, my Armorpax parts got to me today, so yours should soon. -Mike

[PainlessWolf]

Mike,
Good news on the Armorpax! I'll keep a close eye out. I added the blocks then drilled and added the screws to match my hooks up closer with the illustration of the rear deck lifting hooks in Muller and Zimmerman's book(s). ;o)
regards and many thanks!
Painless

[PainlessWolf]

Nothing in the Post today so I did a little work at the rear of the Engine deck then turned my attention up front. Pics:

[PainlessWolf]

Gym night tonight so no time ( or energy ) to work on the StuG but I did get a set of brass hinges in. I decided to make a post for Herman's sake because he gets such a kick out of 'Doll House' stuff being used on our tanks. ;o) Pics:

[HERMAN BIX]

Ohhhh Mr Painless, I have all to many Daughters, and dolls houses sufficient to start a condo-subdivision, but none with the delicate hardware I could contemplate seconding to 'military ' duty !!
Worse still, we dont have a dolls - house - shop that we can just waltz into & take care of all our wildest hinged desires

It just busts my balls to see dolls house and Tank in the same genre
My only solice is that when you guys decide to fold up a front guard on one of your tanks, it will either cause a tune to be played or a bunch of flowers to be revealed

[PainlessWolf]

Good morning, Herman,
Now that's the stuff! *chuckles* Around here, according to the Mate, 'un'-hinged is more like it when it comes to me and tanks. ;o)
regards,
Painless