introduction

The Bison and Grille are today’s common names used for Germany’s self-propelled 15cm schwere Infanteriegeschutz 33 (sIG33) vehicles that were used in WWII. In the 1927, one of Germany’s chief weapons producers, Rheinmetall, introduced the sIG33 cannon, which was the most powerful support weapon in Germany’s early arsenal.

In 1940, attempts were begun to mount the cannon onto a tracked vehicle. The entire gun carriage, complete with wheels, was mounted to a Panzer 1 ausf B chassis and surrounded by large sheets of armour; hence, the birth of the sig33, and this machine saw action on all fronts until the end of the war, with many different improvements and modifications along the way.

contents

I. Introduction

II. Materials

III. Sturminfanteriegeschutz 33B

IV. 15cm sIG33 (Sf) auf Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf. B

V. 15cm schwere Infanteriegeschutz 33 (Sf) auf Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf. H (Sdkfz 138/1)

VI. Special Feature (1) 15cm sIG33 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II (Sf) (Bison II)

VII. Special Feature (II) 15cm schwere Infanteriegeschutz 33/1 auf Selbstfahrlafette 38(t) (Sf) Ausf. K

VIII. Kits Available

IX. Museums and Collections

X. Further Reading, Media, and Websites

XI. Index and Colour Reference Chart

format

7.25 X 9.25 in

80 pp

188 colour photos and illustrations

Written by Gary Edmundson

in depth

This new release from Osprey Publishing details five 1/35-scale model subject variants in a wide selection of skill levels, by combining existing kits with after market accessories and scratch building.

Within the last ten years, model-producing companies have made an effort to produce kits of the Bison and Grille that were previously only available in resin and multimedia forms. Kirin, a Dragon Models affiliate, issued a 1/35 Grille H kit in the early 1990’s, then DML followed suit with the Sturminfanteriegeschutz 33B kit.

Russia’s Allen Hobby Company has recently populated the market with some extremely welcome releases of the Bison II, Grille M, (officially Ausf. K) And the Bison I thus far.

Based on the Panzer I, II, III, and 38t chassis, there is a huge number of base kits available that can be used to convert into this assault gun. With this in mind, and this manual, you will be able to produce five accurate and extremely detailed reproductions of this tracked vehicle.

Moving through the chapters of this book, the modeller is exposed to many facets of kit bashing, scratch building, and aftermarket add-ons to enhance and accurately recreate a variant of this machine.

Packed with wonderful, close up photographs, in colour, the author guides the modeller through five build chapters of variants of the sIG33 with top-notch supporting text. The book details some of the colour schemes and camouflage patterns that can be used on the sIG, from the deserts of North America, to the winter schemes of the Eastern Front.

From early production models, to the later Bison II and beyond, this new release really delivers the goods! Kit-bashers and scratch-builders will simply love this book, as each page is filled with step-by-step photographic instructions of such.

In the 6th and 7th chapters, the two “Special Features” of this publication, the author transforms the two variants into diorama’s and vignettes, and explains in photographs how he achieved the finished scenes; very interesting tips and techniques in these pages…

The reference chapters describe the kits that are available, including 1/35, 1/72, and 1/76, aftermarket accessories also, some excellent book and magazine titles, and websites available on the sIG, as well as a listing of museums and collections to see one of these beauties up close and personal. The book bottoms out with one of Osprey’s highly efficient and useful colour reference charts, detailing the explanation of each colour used.

in conclusion

Although a specialized armour subject, this book is another exciting addition to Osprey’s growing line of Modelling Series Manuals, and is definitely a good read and great value; the tips and techniques can be adapted and used on any model subjects, and the scratch building ideas are extremely useful and helpful…Highly recommended from this modellers point of view.

Many thanks to Sheeba Madan of Osprey Publications, New York office for providing this wonderful review sample.