StuG III with some Tankriders.

[Rob59]

Hello everybody!
It's more than 5 years ago that I started the rebuild of this HL StuG III.
Back than I started a new topic on here too.
The assualt gun is still not ready yet, still needs a camo, weathering etc.
Next year I will make me a bench in the shed in the garden where I can start working with my new, out of the box airbrush.
Need to get some lights in there and some electricity for the airgun.
Too cold and damp there at the moment, and I do not want to mess up my hobby room and all the panzers in there with the spray mist and so.

Anyway, quite a while back I got me 2 sets of 2 crewmen and 6 tankriders (8 figers in one set).
When I receive a package of figures, I always check if everything is complete!
Back than it seems okay.
While they've been laying around for a while, last week it was time to get them some color.
Than I found out that one of the guys was missing, so only 7 guys in this set!
Don't have a clue what I missed back than, but now it was too late to complain at the seller of course!
So to complete set 1, I borrowed the missing Grenadier from set 2.
Been a lot of work, especially the camo jackets.
But as always, in the end it was worth the effort again.
All 8 men also needs some weathering and so, but that's for later.

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The greandier with the red scarf, still needs a belt for that ammo thing on his back.
I will make that out of thin solder.

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[Kaczor]

I love it! The crew and riders always bring the model to life.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Actually, Rob, I could see the Stug III without camouflage, just in its Dunkelgelb, with the rest of the tools, perhaps some markings, and that excellent crew of figures.

[Rob59]

You know, I am still in doubt….
Up to now, I don‘t have any panzer just in Dunkelgelb, all I have is in Panzergrau or camo.
And since I haven‘t used my brand new airbrush yet, this could be The Moment to give it a try…
But what camo….2 tone….3 tone…..pfff…

[HERMAN BIX]

Thats an excellent set up you have shared right there Mr 59, love it.
I have that set of figures, might send them to you for painting !!

For the camo on your StuG, perhaps look into a unit based on the timeframe for the features you have on it :

- Saukopf Mantlet with MG penetration in it
- Concrete armour on the front upper hull.
- Added armour around the cupola. All around it.
- The early-ish Schurzen design
- The camo of the riders.
Once you narrow the likely timeframe of when a vehicle like that could be in action, then look for units that it could be attached to.
The riders also, could they be likely a certain unit? if so then find an action that they were active in then look at the armoured units, then narrow down the camo likely to be on the vehicle.

Thats how I do searches for models that dont have very descriptive explanations with the pictures.

[Rob59]

Thank you for your tips Mr. Bix.
That means I have some work/research to do.
Normally I never build something that has existed back than.
According to the death heads on the collars of the grenadiers, they must from an SS unit.

[Rob59]

Yesterday I made the belts onto the rifles of the grenadiers with that solder stuff with a thickness of 1mm.
Just flatten it gently with a hammer and you're good to go:

[Rob59]

Also fixed that belt onto that ammo holder

[Rob59]

Looks a bit more realistic now

[HERMAN BIX]

Thats great work.
I use Tamiya masking tape for slings, but the solder is a good option too.
Might give that a go next figure I do.
The gadget on the back of the last man is a spare barrel holder for an MG.