Hello,

I am trying to decide which Sturmpanzer IV “Brummbar” kit in 1/35 to buy and build.

I would prefer a model/year that would not have had any Zimmerit originally applied. I just dont like the stickers and not very successful at applying the putty myself.

I have heard that the Tamiya kit is completely off as far as hull shape, and there appears to be three different Dragon kits.

Any suggestions on which model (early, mid, or late) would not have had zimmerit or which kit would be the best?

Thanks
Spence

Spence;

Hi!

Ok... The StuPa IV (StH 43)("Brummbar" by us) was first built and fielded just in time for Kursk, in 1943. The original production, the so-called "early production" (or series-1) versions came without any steel road-wheels, etc., and had the first type of driver's vision blocks (FsKlappe 80 from Tiger I) and the first type of hanging schurzen, trundled off to Kursk without any zimmerit. There were some 60 of these first production vehicles made in May-June 1943.

The Kursk survivors (maybe around 24, or so?) were collected and sent back to, I think, Nibelungenwerke, where they were refurbished, covered with the now-regulation zimmerit, repainted, given a new model of schurzen, and then sent off to Italy.

After Kursk, all further "new" brummies were probably assembled with factory zimmerit (series 2, 3 and 4) - both the so-called "middle-production" series and the "late-production", which had the slightly lowered crew compartment with the stepped glacis and the MG mount on the front.)

So... The really "legit" StuPa IV without zimm would be the early production types sent to Kursk. All mid-production versions (those produced from SEP-OCT 1943 on) probably had zimm, and most or all of those late - production types also - unless some were produced after SEP 1944, when factory (and refurb-plant) zimming officially came to an end.

The best "early production" kit will, I believe, be that CyberHobby white-box "Early" kit. Maybe the ONLY reasonable "early" kit. It's a very nice kit, replete with all sorts of bits and the MagicTracks. Notably, this CH kit also has the correct early schurzen true to that type. This early is of course without zimm - correct for Kursk.

Dragon also produced a "mid-production" kit w/out zimm in "SmartKit" format. Has the later model schurzen and mostly correct features for an earlier "mid-production" StuPa. Again, very very nice, but needs zimm added to be correct.

Dragon went on to create the "mid" with zimm (another super nice kit, with very authentic and well-scaled zimm). This is a good OOTB representation of a mid w/ zimm and a quite impressive thing on a shelf.

Last but not least is that Dragon went another step and put out the "early" with zimm - the post-Kursk refurbished StuPa appropriate for Italy in late 1943. This kit - again a nice kit with superb (IMHO) zimm - also has the revised schurzen used on those refurbished StuPa post-Kursk.

Tristar released 2 great StuPa kits - one with interior stuff. Neither with zimm. Both are actually mid-production and should have zimm added.

I know nada about any Italeri Stupa, nor about any Tamiya productions, but assume that at least the Tamiya will be a mid, and without zimm. (meaning you need to add it for accuracy to type).

There is the old Dragon StuPa IV late kt. Again, without zimm, but likely needing it to be "right".

So... IF you want to build a legit StuPa IV wthout zimm, I think your best choice will be that CyberHobby white-box Early kit.

IF you want any early or mid StuPa with Zimm already on, get one of those Dragon kits. They are pretty nice OOTB zimm'd builds.

Just my opinion! Hope this gives you fuel for thought!

Bob

Bob,

Thanks a whole bunch for taking the time to respond with all that great information. I understand better, no much better know what I am looking for. Plus it gives me some stuff to research some more. Awesome.

I will be looking for this Cyber Hobby Kit for my Early (No Zimmerit) kit.

- Sturmpanzer IV – (Early) “Brummbar” – Sd. Kfz. 166 - Cyber Hobby #6497

I will also be looking for this Dragon kit for a mid production (with Zimmerit) as used in Italy.

- Sturmpanzer IV – (Mid) “Brummbar” – Sd. Kfz. 166 - Dragon #6500

Also, it appears that the Dragon kit has the zimmerit molded into the parts so there is no applying them after the fact or drilling holes in the covering........so thats much easier for an Out of the box builder like me.

Thanks again for all the help.

Spence

Yeah, the Tamiya kit was once a motorized chassis so if you want THAT, let me know. I have one for cheap.

If not I would go with a CH/DML/DRAGON for they would be more accurate.

HTH



~ Jeff

PM sent Jeff...........Thanks.
Spence

Spence;

Both the CH "early" and the Dragon mid w/ zimm kits show up frequently on the evilbay. I think that the D's mid w/zimm is currently on a good sale at Dragonusaonline.com.

Cheers!

Bob

Hi Spence.
You are indeed in luck as right now Dragon USA has the very nice early with zimm on sale just in time for you.

http://www.dragonusaonline.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=DRA6596

It's my first time ever trying to post a link, so I hope it works.

Gary

Hi Guys,
Having built the Tristar kit, my only advice is: steer clear. While very intricate (read: over-engineered), the engineering on the kit is poor. The instructions are vague and the fit of the main gun in the casemate needs substantial work to get it to fit the apeture.
Regards,
Georg

And the answer is Dragon/CyberHobby :

If you want an early Brummbar in 1/35 : get the CyberHobby kit.

If you want a mid production Brummbar in 1/35 : get the Dragon "with zimmerit" kit.

If you want a late production Brummbar in 1/35 : get the CyberHobby Orange box release, not that great because based on an ancient kit but the only game in town.

Cheers,

Christophe