Hey guys! I was in the mood for a nice OOB build again and this is what I picked up:





I've wanted a StuG IV for a while and passed on DML's previous kit, knowing they were going to do the same thing they always do. Then in September they finally reissued kit 6520 with Zimmerit and here it is.

The only new thing besides the Zimmerit is the fact that this kit comes with DS tracks instead of Magic Tracks. I did have my worries about these tracks but after looking at them and seeing how nice they look when bent, I'm actually looking forward to painting them and seeing the finished result.











I will be copying the camo scheme depicted on the box art. Here are some pictures of the new Zimmerited parts, enjoy for now! Cheers!

Thanks Sebastian for buying this kit. I've thought about getting it myself. PLease post lots of construction pictures and comments it will help me make up my mind. Have fun building it ! Tom

Sebastian,

I'll be looking forward to your postings on this build. I'm building the kit's predecessor, the DML StuG IV without the Zimm. (Of course, the kit with the Zimm was released about a month after I started mine!)

So far, I've been pleased with the level of detail on the kit I'm working on. I think OOTB the kit will build into a very accurate model of one of the early production versions. If you use the front fender option (with the curved front ends instead of the angled ones), the kit is spot-on for one of the first 30 built on the Neibelungen produced Pz IV hulls.

The molded-on Zimmerit looks very convincing on your kit, too. DML is doing a good job on that.

Please keep us up-dated on your progress.

Mike

@ivanhoe6 - It's been a really nice kit so far, the only thing you have to watch out for are the instructions. I'd get it if I were you!

@ Mike - I don't know too much about the kit's accuracy and I looked into the curved fron fender option but I'll be using the other ones seeing as they have the Zimmerit molded on them already.

On to my progress: So far I've got a few bigger parts of the kit built up. So far the only problem I've encountered is parts G23 and G24 which are labeled in the instructions as K39 and K40 (something I found about from Bill Plunk's build of 6520).



And here's some more progress pictures:























Another thing I noticed is that the superstructure won't sit flush whith the front plate when attached to the chassis:



However, the actual StuG IV also had this feature (though not as dramatic as on my picture because the parts aren't glued together yet), I guess it's not a problem.

Looking good, Sebastian.

The superstructure requires the fenders as spacers above the top edges of the hull sides in order to fit properly. Once you have the fenders in place, that gap you've noticed will be gone.

There is a pronounced "lip" on the prototype, though, where the front edge of the superstructure and the upper glacis meet. The kit is accurate with this.

The fenders will dry-fit quite nicely because of the way they "hook" over the upper hull edges, and if you do try them, you'll notice a great improvement on the superstructure fit all around.

Thanks for posting the pics.

Mike

The fenders do fit very niceley to the chassis and the overall fit is very good. I'm very pleased with this kit, general assembly so far has been a breeze. I've gotten all of the major assemblies done, all that's left is smaller parts like tools, etc.

Thanks for the build thread Sebastian, I'm thinking of picking this one up too. I'm new to tanks, they are great fun to build! One thing I have noticed, the instructions from Dragon are a challenge for me, its almost like building a earlier similar kit helps, which is difficult for me, worrying not to make a mistake on building the kit, not really having to run across this on my other model kit builds. I just don't think instructions should be so? Have you noticed any other boo-boos?
Thanks much, Dave.

This is a great build with great photos ... hope it gets updated soon!

Burntmetal: Like all model kits, just do a lot of dry fitting during the step to avoid any mistakes. I know DRAGON/DML instructions are not the best but the best thing to do is to not get in a hurry.



~ Jeff

You did a very good job of cleaning that annoying fine flash from the tracks. Must have been time consuming but well worth the effort.

Hi Sebastian,

nice build man. the zimmerit looks amazing. how did you clean the flash from the tracks? tamiya thin cement? i have subscribed and will be looking forward to your progress.

Gary