Story of Two StuG's
 

Hi All,

I have been working, slowly maybe Snell speed, on two HL StuG III G's. One is a conversion from a HL Panzer III L/M while the other is an HL StuG III G tear down rebuild as a Late StuG III G. So here we go, photos on the progress I have. I have been working on the Saukof Mantlet for the Late StuG most recently. I used a Bandai StuG IV as a guide to scratch this one for the StuG III. I have textured the engine deck and lower hull on the Early StuG based on the Panzer III M hull. Also added weld beads to the engine deck. Removed the smoke/self defense grenade launchers from the front of the Late StuG III upper hull and filled the space/recess that was left as well. I have added the track tension upgrade to the StuG III based on the M hull as well. I have tried a product that you can get from Michael's to age/rust the exhaust/mufflers. Looks really cool. let me know what you think. Hope to do more to both StuG's this weekend!!!

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

More Photos...

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

Exhaust/Muffler stuff......

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

A few more views of the Saukof....

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

Looking good. I have used that product also, uses an actual metal in the gray solution then you add the other solution to rust the metal flakes. I like how you can vary the effects by adding more or less. Also you really need to do that in a very well ventilated area, that is some nasty smelling stuff, which you already know. I read on the product it can cause kidney damage, if you inhale too much. But the results are nice.

Cheers
Wade

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

Yes, it stinks, but I like how it looks. I had a fan running to exhaust the fumes away from me and out the window, so I should still be able to filter water. I was able to get the look I wanted by adding more of the rust solution in spots and layers. It gives a more dark brown rust or yellow/orange rust look by adding either more or less to get the look you want. Also do not need to add baking soda or sand to achieve the rough rusty surface. The metal partials in the paint do that for you.

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

Worked on the lower hull add on armor for the StuG III G /M hull. tried to add photos, but have not been able to get them to upload. I will try again later today when I get off of work. Basically I used scale thickness plastic card stock and cut it to size. Next i textured it to give it a rolled steel look.

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

Here are the photos for the Add on armor for the front of the upper and lower hull of the StuG III G /M hull.

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

Outstanding texture on the rolled armor plates as well as the cast of the pig's head. I really like where you are going with this. I have the Panzertracts on these as well as some other StuG books if you need any info, just ask.

Another rust option if the solution is too much is putting some 0000 steel wool in a jar with some water and letting it rust. After a week or so, you'll have all the rust you need.

Looking forward to more progress.

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

I like the texture, how did you get it?

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

Thanks for you kind words ausf!!! I've got two going on the work bench. The pig's head is going to be used for my late StuG III G. It's going to be based on an actual vehicle that saw combat. The white you see shining through on the pig's head is Milliput. I used a dark brown rust color to prime it just to be sure the texture looked right. I will have to try the still wool method. I will pm you about your book reference material. Thanks again, ausf.

mustclime, I did the texture on the pig's head with a small ball scribe/cutter bit in a variable speed Dremel tool. By changing speed and bouncing it all over the surface I was able to get the look I wanted.

I was able to get the rolled armor plate look by using a medium stiff tooth brush and liquid cement. I brushed the cement onto the surface of the plastic card and then used the tooth brush by pressing it into the surface. It has taken a lot of trial and error to get that technique right. That said once you get it down it can be replicated with ease. It is just a matter of timing, i.e., when has the liquid cement melted the surface of the plastic enough for one to attack the surface with the tooth brush? Once you get the feel for that it is easy.

I will try to get more done so I can at least prime some parts to show the texture even better.

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

Looking great, I'm really enjoying this build and learning some new techniques in the process. What kind of glue are you using for the toothbrush texturing? I'd like to know more about that techmique, it looks very good. Ausf thanks for the steel wool idea, that is a good one that I will definitely put to use.

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

Thanks for posting. You have supplied a couple of new techniques that I will be sure to use.

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

tthompso and YHR thanks for your interest. I use Testors liquid cement and have tried Tamiya's liquid cement as well. These both work on polystyrene which is what most models are made of. If you want to use this method on the HL tanks I use Plastruct's liquid cement, because HL uses an abs plastic and Plastruct works better.

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

Thanks for the info Maus45. Hoping to do some work on my HL Tiger1 & II when winter sets in. Still trying to get them mechanically like I want them to be now. Over the winter I hope to break out the dremel & airbrush to get a more authentic look. Keep the pics coming, your Stugs are going to look great.

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

Have closed off the switch and screw holes on the side of the lower hull. Also completed the texture work on the lower hull I had started some months ago. Will post photos tonight. Camera needed charging.

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

looking good. I'.m building the STUG 42 and Pz IV together . I made again the front lamp for my STUGyesterday.

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

I would like to see your NoTek light for the StuG42. Here are the photos of my progress on the StuG III G based on the M chassis...

I cut the battery box out of the lower hull and re-installed the gear boxes. I will replace the plastic stock TU's with 3:1 metal when I get the chance.
Plugged the switch holes on the left side of the lower hull and the the bottom as well. Also closed and filled in the gaps on the battery box cover.

Replaced the chain on the tow hook with a more scale chain and made it so it could be removed. Need to make the clips that hold the pintel in place.

Added weld detail to the fighting compartment of the upper hull and textured the armor plate.

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

Looks great.
What are you using for the welds?

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

EverGreen quarter round plastic rod. Here is a hobby shop that carries it. http://www.dhcinc.com/evergreen.htm

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

A great and nice job! I will upload the light pictures.http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...ular_smile.gif

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

Thanks, can not wait to see them.

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

Did some work on the tracks today. Used a product called "Blacken It" to soak the tracks in. These photos show the result. The process gives the tracks a more realistic look. The tracks are from Impact.

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

Maus,
The tracks look good. I wonder if the color will wear off on the high areas. I had a pair of metal colored PZ IV tracks that I soaked in vinegar for about an hour each. Scrubed them down and colored them with gun bluing ( don't know why they call it bluing when it;s really a black color ) Came out great with the recessed areas black and the higher areas still showing a bit of tarnished ( vinegar effect ) metal. I had a thread on here somewhere, but using the search here gives more headaches then help.

Looking forward to the completed STUG.

Jim

RE: Story of Two StuG's
 

Thanks Jim, I only used the Blacken It. Does the Vinegar do something to the metal to change the color as well? I will try that on my next set. I will have to see what kind of wear happens when I get one of these StuGs running.