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REVIEW
DML StuG IV Early Production
bill_c
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Posted: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 - 04:31 AM UTC
Bill Plunk provides an In Box review of DML's StuG IV Early Production.



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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
gremlinz
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Posted: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 - 09:28 AM UTC
Most excellent review dude. And very timely as I'm currently reading a bunch of recently arrived reference material in the search for the best model to represent a factory delivered StuG arriving in Normany just prior to D-Day.

Off the top of your head do you know which factory pattern zimmerit these had ?
wbill76
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Posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - 07:38 AM UTC
Thanks Dean! Sorry I couldn't answer your question sooner but I was out of town on vacation for a week.

The zim pattern on these is the simple raked pattern since the vehicles were built by Krupp-Gruson and not MIAG or Alkett like with the StuG III Gs. HTH!

This particular vehicle set-up that DML offers is perfect for a Normandy period vehicle and there are many in-action photos of StuG IVs in Normandy that match this configuration arrangement so you should be set for what you're aiming for!
gremlinz
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Posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - 12:29 PM UTC
Thanks Bill. I would have liked it to have had the Rundumfeurer to date it as an April/May production but I can live without it.
wbill76
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Posted: Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 07:15 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Thanks Bill. I would have liked it to have had the Rundumfeurer to date it as an April/May production but I can live without it.


Something tells me that DML might pursue this angle in the future depending...their recent announcement of a StuG III G with the earlier style of schurzen mounts is an indication they are continuing to develop that line so perhaps the StuG IV will also receive similar attention over time. One can hope at least!
gremlinz
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Posted: Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 09:44 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Thanks Bill. I would have liked it to have had the Rundumfeurer to date it as an April/May production but I can live without it.


Something tells me that DML might pursue this angle in the future depending...their recent announcement of a StuG III G with the earlier style of schurzen mounts is an indication they are continuing to develop that line so perhaps the StuG IV will also receive similar attention over time. One can hope at least!


Well I'm still expecting them to do the next StuG III Ausf G with zimmerit followed by the late Ausf G with Rumdumfeurer and topfblende followed by the late Ausf G with Rumdumfeurer, topfblende, and late schurzen followed by the late Ausf G with Rumdumfeurer, topfblende, late schurzen and co-axial MG....

You can see where I'm going with that. Sadly I'm such a StuG fan I'll buy them all.
wbill76
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Posted: Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 02:10 PM UTC
And don't forget the coaxial block-style mantlet alternatives as well...I'm sure before it's done people will be saying "there's too many StuGs!" and that they should produce more of vehicle X instead!

Like you I'm a big fan of the StuG line so I'm willing to be very patient although I do admit I thought a pre-zim waffle pattern StuG III G (the StuH 42 doesn't count!) would have already come down the road by now.
gremlinz
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Posted: Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 02:19 PM UTC
Me too, I was surprised the latest version with the schurzen didn't use the zimmeritted parts from the Sturmhaubitze. But if it helps any I just bought two sets of the cavalier waffle pattern zimmerit so murphy's law states that someone will release exactly that in about a week.
gremlinz
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Posted: Thursday, November 19, 2009 - 09:25 PM UTC
We were right sort of, just looking forward rather than backward as today we find the latest and greatest is indeed another variant of the StuG III Ausf. G Smart kit, but this time the Initial version.

*patiently awaits zimmeritted Ausf G with Shurzen, new loaders hatch topfblend and Rumdumfeurer*
SGTJKJ
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Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009 - 03:15 AM UTC
Very nice review. Thanks for all the details.
bill_c
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Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009 - 03:25 AM UTC

Quoted Text

*patiently awaits zimmeritted Ausf G with Shurzen, new loaders hatch topfblend and Rumdumfeurer*

Dean, it's my understanding (correct me if I'm wrong) that the Stugs are the easiest vehicles to Zim oneself. Is this, in fact, the case?

There is also a company out now with laser-cut paper Zim that can be applied with ordinary white glue.
wbill76
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Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009 - 06:34 AM UTC
Thanks Jesper!


Quoted Text


Dean, it's my understanding (correct me if I'm wrong) that the Stugs are the easiest vehicles to Zim oneself. Is this, in fact, the case?

There is also a company out now with laser-cut paper Zim that can be applied with ordinary white glue.


The StuG III Gs are actually one of the harder vehicles to zim yourself since the most commonly seen pattern was the "waffle" pattern applied at the Alkett factory. Of course you could always cheat a little and go with the MIAG pattern which was a simpler raked pattern...so it depends in the end on which type you're looking to replicate.
bill_c
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Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009 - 07:52 AM UTC

Quoted Text

The StuG III Gs are actually one of the harder vehicles to zim yourself since the most commonly seen pattern was the "waffle" pattern applied at the Alkett factory.


Are there any good AM Zim makers for Stugs???
gremlinz
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Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009 - 09:51 AM UTC
I've got a couple of sets of the Cavalier waffle zim and just ordered the Eduard set so once I get around to doing them I'll let you know how well they work.
pebblemonkey
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Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009 - 10:18 AM UTC
Love it, can't wait to get some!

Matt
wbill76
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Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009 - 11:08 AM UTC
I've used the Cavalier set on a previous build and it was perfect...granted it was designed for the older DML Imperial Series kit but was very easy to work with.
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