I was able to come across Dragon's Pz.kpfw IV Kharkov and StuG III Winterketten for really cheap and I am having a lot of trouble finding photos of the conflict with these vehicles being used.

First question I have is can I use the side armor panels that you typically see on Pz IVs for a conflict depicting a winter battle at Kharkov?

When modeling these vehicles what should I use for the base color? I want to assume panzer grey for the Pz IV but I am a little confused about the StuG.

As I build either vehicle what can I do for stowage? I've seen great models of the StuG but any reference images of what that vehicle or the Pz IV carried into combat would be great.

Lastly, have there been an upgunned Pz. IVs using winterketten tracks? For some reason I really love the look of the tracks and seeing a picture of abused tracks that had the longer portion bent or missing would really add some character to the vehicle so I want to make sure it's not out of the scope of the vehicle.

I know I will have more questions as things go along but just these to start.

Thanks ahead of time as I dwell into my first German WWII armor kits in years

Hi Sean. Never sean a Pnz IV G at Khrakov with Schurtzen( side armour) this came in later. Dont know alot about Stugs. Winterketten tracks look great on Pnz IV, always lost a few blades lost, so would look great. Later the Germans made better winter tracks called Ostketten to stop this happening. will post some good E mail Adds Pnz IV later

Here's a Pz.kpfw IV G fitted with Winterketten (from this forum )



Here's another Pz.kpfw IV from the SS Division Das Reich in Kharkov (March 1943) :



HTH

Frenchy

Another Pz.kpfw IV in Kharkov in January or February 1943. This one belongs to the 1. SS-Panzerdivision "Leibstandarte" :



HTH

Frenchy

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/14569529_pn5P2C#1083037739_U2yjt Sean check this photo collection out. also google Pnz IV images LOADS OF INFO hope this helps Geraint

Even more Pz.kpfw IV period pics here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/deckarudo/sets/72157623974334796/with/5578225276/

HTH

Frenchy

Thanks everyone!

Can you guys also provide me with stuff for Dragon's StuG III F/8 with Winterketten? I will be starting that once my M1117 gets paint mid next week. All the PzKpfw IV stuff was very helpful!

Here's one (near Stalingrad maybe ? ) :



Maybe you'll find some inspiration in the StuG photo album it comes from ? :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/deckarudo/sets/72157627288391008/with/5438478586/

HTH

Frenchy

Hi Sean. Just been reading alot of Stug III F/8 that went to Russia in 1942 were painted Braun RAL 8020 North Africa Sand Yellow 2/3 of the vehicle and Grau RAL7027 North Africa 1/3 of vehicle. They were on they way to Africa but were sent to Russia at the last moment. This sounds like a nice change, not to be confused with the change of colour of German vehicles in 1943 to Base cote of Dunkelgelb RAL 7028 Dark Yellow. In the article there is even a Stug with Winterketten tracks with these colours belonging to Stug Abt 912 nicknamed the Windmill Brigade. The units badge looked like a windmill. Maybe a nice change in colour to Pnz IV,s Gray/White Wash of the SS Pnz Div involved at Kharkov.

I agree that the varying sand tones look more interesting. Does it give a specific break down as to where the paints were applied on the vehicle?