"Lea" a Finnish Sturmi

[MrChef]

And the mind is wandering. I keep looking at details that are unique to the Sturmi. The next one I'm working on is the added lower hull armor plates.

For the longest time I thought that the plates only went up to the upper return rollers with the cutouts. As I was measuring and cutting some styrene sheets that did come out rather nice for a first attempt. I kept looking at pictures of this armor plate and noticed in this picture from this angle on this particular Sturmi it really looks to me like the armor plate goes past the return rollers, above the tracks on up to where the lower hull meets the upper. It kinda makes more sense that way too.

http://www.andreaslarka.net/ps531044/53104428.jpg

[Ecam]

Nice. I was a bit more brutal with my mod. Great to see how the other half (major majority)l) lives.

Terrific work Mr. Chef! I aspire toward your abilities, but I know they are lofty goals.

[Estnische]

Great dedication to the task. The old Stugs need all the help they can get.

[MrChef]

Working on the added lower hull armor plate.



looks decent and fits fine.



For fitting purposes this went well. Still need to trim a bit then split the plates but overall I'm satisfied. But we need bolts to hold the plates on. H'mmm where can I get little bolts?

Ahh Ha, leftover plastic Panther wheels-

[tankme]

For fake rivets, I bought an RP Toolz punch and die set, but holy crap have they gotten expensive since I bought mine.

[ColemanCollector]

Waste not, want not, and all that jazz. Good idea!

I've got a double sided sheet of plastic bolt heads on one side, bolt shaft and nut on the other from Aliexpress. Nice thing is there's 4 different sizes. They really should be cheaper, but very convenient. I need to get the rivet head assortment.

Screenshot_20251209_095843_AliExpress.jpg (172.37 KiB) Viewed 513 times

Mike.

[MrChef]

Remember these holes over here?


I need to fill those holes for the jack mounts as the logs will be there. I took more leftover fender pieces that had been removed trimmed em down and fit them in. Tamiya quick setting cement and good to go.

[Meter rat]

Looking good Mr C. I think you were riding with you first assumption that the additional armour, doesn’t go right to the top. In your photos there appears to be a step and gap.

IMG_1005.jpeg (52.89 KiB) Viewed 503 times

[MrChef]

Working on the Drivers Visor. Not sure If I'm 100% on this one. The thing is there are more than a few different versions in different pictures I've seen with some having a steep or steeper rake/angle and some more like this.







For sure it'll be perfect for some weld beads...

[Stormbringer]

Youre certainly getting the knack of piecing in the chequer plate patches and whole models looking good mate