1941 StuG III Ausf B

[ALPHA]

Alpha,
Good afternoon! No, these early StuGs did not have the additional armor plating installed until later during Operation Barbarossa. I think you asked me this before, a little earlier in the thread. ;o)
I'm following your Abrams thread and enjoying the photos and descriptions of your work. I'll have to get one of those next year and replace the green HE version I gave to my friend.
regards,
Painless

The M1 is a beauty for sure...a big surprise for me...What was a bigger surprise is the seller has gotten a new shipment ...and is selling them a little less than 15 dollars than I got mine for ...I don't mind though..having a great deal of fun detailing it along with Green and ATC

ALPHA

[PainlessWolf]

Ed,
Good evening. The rear Convoy light uses a two pin micro plug on the Taigen board and only lights up when in reverse, same as a tail light would if wired up. The front convoy light is wired in sequence with the head lights and commonly will use a 10 ohm resistor to keep the power draw manageable.
regards,
Painless

[PainlessWolf]

Alpha, an M1 Abrams will probably be a next year thing. The StuG is taking up all of my free time and next up is the 1/6 Stuart. This Winter, I hope to RC that 251 Halftrack. Depends on if I get the time. So, nothing in the Post today. Taking up the StuG, I'm pleased with the lower hull and deck. The Casemate was sitting up a little high in the rear and upon investigation, the fan mount for the Taigen MFU was the culprit. I could have removed it but this is going to be a weighty little tracked gun so I wanted to leave the fan in place. I did a cut out and clean up so that nothing touches the fan housing now. Pictures:

[ALPHA]

Doll house shops beware!!!! ...That's some low profile there Painless....looking awful good....you gonna open up the other hatches?

ALPHA

[PainlessWolf]

Morning, Alpha,
Thank you! I am pleased with how it is coming along. I'll probably make one more effort on that rear convoy light and leave the front one alone. It will mean disassembling it so I can make painted lenses for it as the replacement light is an LED and not a bulb type like the original. That whole corner needs a little extra attention. I am not that pleased with the fender opening for the light or the brace under it. The only opening hatches will be the Commanders and the little Gunner's Scope ones. I have the hinges for them. Since you can see some of the interior from the Commander's hatch well, I think I am going to mount scale radio faces there and clip an MP-40 to the back wall like the original. I'll have to mount a step for the figure to stand on as well. More interior finishing fun! ;o)
regards,
Painless

[PainlessWolf]

Nothing in the Post yet today. It's still early. I got around to ordering the actual hatch hinges from Asiatam today along with the Commander figure that I've had my eye on. I'll see to some extra fiber optic filament, the new LED and wiring and those radio parts I was mentioning, later this afternoon. That should cover every thought so far as long I do not mung up the main gun mount and IR. Speaking of that, a maint. crew equipped with heavy transport located a workable trunnion + gun and salvaged the Pz III turret from a wreck they had been scouting for parts. Pictures:

[ALPHA]

Morning, Alpha,
Thank you! I am pleased with how it is coming along. I'll probably make one more effort on that rear convoy light and leave the front one alone. It will mean disassembling it so I can make painted lenses for it as the replacement light is an LED and not a bulb type like the original. That whole corner needs a little extra attention. I am not that pleased with the fender opening for the light or the brace under it. The only opening hatches will be the Commanders and the little Gunner's Scope ones. I have the hinges for them. Since you can see some of the interior from the Commander's hatch well, I think I am going to mount scale radio faces there and clip an MP-40 to the back wall like the original. I'll have to mount a step for the figure to stand on as well. More interior finishing fun! ;o)
regards,
Painless

Man Painless ...if my Stug was molded in the resin yours is...I'd open the other hatches right off...I know mine won't come off and be usable

That gun unit looks pretty sweet...you shouldn't have too much trouble with space

ALPHA

[PainlessWolf]

Dr. Alpha,
I could open up the other hatches like I did in the Tamiya model that started all of this but all that would come to view would be the back of the Asiatam gun mount that Taigen uses. At least at the Commander's hatch, there will be some radio equipment and an MP-40 for eye candy when the hatch is opened. ;o) Plus, I have plans for that section of the casemate roof. ;o)
regards,
Painless

[ALPHA]

Dr. Alpha,
I could open up the other hatches like I did in the Tamiya model that started all of this but all that come to view would be the back of the Asiatam gun mount that Taigen uses. At least at the Commander's hatch, there will be some radio equipment and an MP-40 for eye candy when the hatch is opened. ;o) Plus, I have plans for that section of the casemate roof. ;o)
regards,
Painless

Ah ok....that's a good reason for not opening them up....looks like she's almost done then lol

ALPHA

[PainlessWolf]

Alpha-matic,
I ordered the replacement LED and the radio boxes and Fiber Optic strand and some better hinges I located today. Getting closer to being finished. Still some electronics moving and gun mount redos ahead. Then there is the fine detail work for the casemate. The hinges I found today will work much better than the brass ones I had bought earlier. Worth the wait. I ordered the Commander figure as well, a guy I have had my eye on for some time. Early Panzer Commander. ;o) Lets not forget the earlier order for the HD spring set from Mato Mart. Some waiting for the Postman ahead for me.
regards,
Painless