Posts: 1602
Joined: 12/28/2006 From: Columbia, SC, USA Status: offline
Before I start on some pz IVs, one of which is already an f2, here are my conversions to variations of the workhorse Pz III, I now have ausf, L,. G, N, H, Sig33, Russian SU-76i and Japanese type,97. My ausf M Flammenpanzer is nearing completion but photo merely shows the flame gun. As soon as the early ausf E kit is on stock again, I will add that. . Any more Pz III variations out there?
Posts: 1602
Joined: 12/28/2006 From: Columbia, SC, USA Status: offline
I did take a few shots as I was doing it....I'll have to resize my photos and put them on the web...probably tonight. Also some on the SU-76i. Thanks for asking...it was a (female dog) of a job and I lost elevation/depression of the gun, but it runs nice. Have to have metal tracks to give it that typical WW II Japanese slack track look. I did take out one link so i could run a bit faster, but with the sloppy track, it really looked good.
Posts: 1602
Joined: 12/28/2006 From: Columbia, SC, USA Status: offline
Here's the rebuild photos on my SU-76i
Get the kit from Peter at Modellino@t-online.de. Peter also has some photos of museum artifacts that he can forward. I believe I also got the Russian crew from him.
Really basic. Strip everything off the fenders of the Pz III. Remove turret and take out elevating mechanism. Make a platform to support the mechanism, mount the gun brackets, install gun. Attach a stiff wire to the back of the gun to link with the elevating cam. Mount superstructure with hatches etc ect, then fuel drums, paint, add decals, dirt, etc. The SU-76i is really an easy conversion and would be really simple to set up with an DBU. A very well made kit and takes very little sanding and fitting. Disconnect the MG sound....the SU-67i didn't have one...or what the heck, mount one for the commander or put a captured German SMG in his hands.
I had the uniforms painted to light in these photos, but since have redone them in a proper dark brown (artillery, not grey tank uniforms). Used a lot of dullcoat.
Posts: 1602
Joined: 12/28/2006 From: Columbia, SC, USA Status: offline
OK, Here's the rebuild of my japanese Type 97 Shinhoto Chi Ha. Tank based on one from the 71st Tank Regt, 2nd Armored div, luzon, Phillipines 1944. Re Japanese Tanks 1939-45 Osprey Vanguard.
Removed turret and reconfigured with sheet styrene. Lost elevation/depression of gun due to the style and location of the gun mount. Reworked suspension by disconnecting shocks from 1 & 6 roadwheels and connecting them to the tube. (before doing this, suggest moving the main board as this tube will cover the mounting screws.) Buildup of bow and diver sections. this must deviate from the real tank just a bit and build a bit higher, to allow clearance of the gears. (same Stu problem). Add muuuucho rivits from round styrene rod. Rebuild all exterrior with sheet styrene, add mufflers from scrap leftovers. (something new?) It was necessary to add a stiff tenor saxophone spring into the 1-2-3 road wheel supports, as the metal track was too heavy for the Pz III spring in the 1st road wheel. (I heated it and melted it in place.) Finally painted the tank IAW with colors and pattern on my photos from APG, added 21st Century Japanese figures and decals from a 135 scale model of the same tank. It's a real great runner and historically a very good tank. The HV 47mm gun was very accurate and could take out a Sherman at 500 yds.
Posts: 1602
Joined: 12/28/2006 From: Columbia, SC, USA Status: offline
try again,
the wheels I filled in with Hardware stoere washers, (same as my T-34/76) the sprocket with modelling putty (until i find a smaller one to fit) and made a filler for the idler from steet styrene.
Posts: 1602
Joined: 12/28/2006 From: Columbia, SC, USA Status: offline
OK, I performed a vertical intercourse on photo numbers, but the second set never did get there...the finished tank is shown on my initial post. It's a neat tank and I'm thinking about doing another Japanese tank. [)]
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Pz III conversions - 
