It's a peculiar omission. Unfortunately, although the need for this vehicle is immense, the lack of Zimm is a BIG problem. This really has me scratching my head... [/quote] Well, it's in line with Dragon's long standing policy to issue a kit without the coating and with Magic Tracks at a slightly lower price (for the frugal do-it-yourselfers, or those who always prefer Atak's resin Zimmerit), followed by a version with the coating molded on and a set of DS soft plastic tracks for the lazier majority.

Gerald, Add to this that it's a CH white-box and not a green-box or regular DML release and that would explain the no-zim "yet" on this one. All the major parts are taken from existing sprues (the schurzen rails appeared in the StuG IV kit along with the Topflblende mantlet) so all CH has to add is the steel return rollers and a PE fret for the rear engine deck and voila! a white-box niche release. White-boxes can be harbingers of things to come although not always...revising the superstructure roof is the major mold change that's holding DML back from releasing a true "Late" or even "Final" StuG III G variant IMHO.

Suggestions on which Zim kit to purchase for this baby???

Personally I'd go with the Atak waffle zim pattern as it was the most commonly seen type. Atak has this as set 35033. They also offer the rarer MIAG "normal" zim as set 35051 which is a brand-new offering if you wanted to go that route. HTH!

Just ordered this kit-where is a good place to pick up ATAK online? Thanks, Dan

That'll be me then, lazier that is! Like the idea of the Saukopf mantlet though, but this would also have Zimmerit on it? Actually I have learnt on here (probably from Bill) that the Saukopf doesn't itself signify a later version, just a different manufacturer, so if you're after a specific vehicle, check your sources carefully...

All; Just as a comment on the "saukopf" mantlet in DML StuG III kits.... In terms of modern DML/CyberHobby StuG III kits, this "Saukopf" has been around in modern DML StuG kits for at least a three years, now. I have the "StuG III mit Fluessigass- Antrieb" kit 6371 (cr 2007 or 2008?), which portrays a putative "fahreschule" or driver's-training vehicle. The various kit reviewers have pointed out that this kit mostly captures an early 1943 vintage StuG III G with the "odd" inclusion of that saukopf mantlet in place of the welded box version seen in the "G early production" (kit 6320) version. From this, it would appear that this new StuG kit could be "borrowing" this already produced piece from the above 6371 kit, or from the more recent StuG IV kits, which, I think, may have simply seconded along this part from that earlier CH kit. I do agree that we will be seeing soon a DML version with zimm, and, if there are folks watching this thread from over in Mr.Dragon-land, a late StuG III with that "rundumfeuer" assembly- something that really should be there (IMO)! Cheers! Bob

Personally I'd go with the Atak waffle zim pattern as it was the most commonly seen type. Atak has this as set 35033. They also offer the rarer MIAG "normal" zim as set 35051 which is a brand-new offering if you wanted to go that route. HTH! [/quote] ..I think it depends on the manufacturer. The waffle pattern I believe was done by Alkett, but you'd have to check the supports on top of the fenders. (the other manufacturer had a different type.) If you search threads, I think I remember this being discussed with another Dragon Stug III G. (the stuh.42??)

In regards to the zim pattern, the waffle pattern was seen on Alkett-produced vehicles while the "normal" zim pattern was seen on MIAG-produced vehicles. Alkett was the main manufacturer of StuG IIIs so their pattern is the most commonly seen in photos as a result.