STURMTIGER almost finished
 

Just thought I'd post a few pics of what I've been working on the past few months.

Detail parts are left to install, paint the superstructure and then apply the camo. This will be a battle ready, full option tank with WECHOE steel wheels, Elite Armor small idler, and of course the Imperial Models conversion kit.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!


Jeff

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...F59/Sturm1.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...F59/Sturm2.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...F59/Sturm3.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...F59/Sturm4.jpg

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

nice!

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

Fantastic looking!

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

Looking good,what's your opinion on imperials kit,do you get any instructions,im considering doing one myself.
cheers Steve.

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

Hey Steve!

There is some clean up of parts, but overall they are very easy to work with. The directions are pretty simple so some experience with resin kits and reference material on hand of the kit being assembled is a must.

I used medium CA and 5 minute epoxy to assemble the kit. The Sturm is a one piece where the SU-85 and 100 are in need of gluing together.

I wouldn't hesitate to get another one at all and once I finish the Sturm I need to go back and get my SU-85 that I started on!

Hope this helped!


Jeff

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

Are those real pics in the background?

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

Yeah ... apparently from the Ardennes in 1944.


Jeff

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

Great effort there.

I seem to find it amusing that you want to make this assault gun fully battle ready. I mean it was never designed to go up against other tanks but was designed to provide heavy fire support for infantry units fighting in urban areas.

But hey, if you happen to hit (beam) another RC tank with it, common sense would seem to dictate a one-shot knock out. BOOM. Dead. :D

With that, I can really see the beauty of it. So hurry up so we can see its finished form.

-Harq

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

These things were also used to destroy buildings, if I remember correctly. [sm=thumbup.gif] I Have been wanting to build one myself, but since there is a cheap version coming out, I decided to wait and see how accurate it really is.............save some money and work. :D

I want it on the battlefield as well, since they are different than most of the other guys tanks. Plus, there is some satisfaction in bringing some more history (although brief) to the game. It is the best looking WWII armor there is, in my opinion.

That said, I am very jealous of your Sturmtiger, Panther F!!! It looks fantastic.

Jason

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

Thanks Jason! I had already purchased the Sturm kit, the steel wheels and 2 Tamiya Tiger I tanks when I learned of the new Sturmtiger coming out. From what I've seen it looks really nice!

On another note, the other amusing thing is that the Sturmtiger has frontal armor that was impervious to any of the opposition’s standard anti-tank ammunition.

Using the Tamiya Battle System, this type of vehicle like the Jadtiger & Elephant, are called IFA's (Invicible Frontal Armor). So, masking off the front portion of the TBU guards against scoring any direct hits from the front area.

I mean let's face it. What real chance does a standard M4 have against a heavy tank. Common sense would seem to dictate a one-shot knock out. BOOM. Dead. So, in make believe tank battles the Sturmtiger is a little more believable than using a Sherman against superior Axis armor.


Jeff

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

Our great advantage was our tanks maneuverability, faster turret turning speed and the fact that the enemy was on the defensive. A Sherman didn't stand much chance against taking out a Tiger chassis from the front, but if he could hit the front sprocket, the tank would become immobile and the crew would bail out. The Russians and our guys practiced this, they knew they couldn't penetrate their armor but any type of shell hit on the front track would immobilize the tank and most crews would bail out.

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

I assume everyone here has seen the video of the Sturmtiger firing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6haG7ifzCc

I would not have wanted to be on the receiving end of that Depth Charge ... but given the loading time for the rounds I would not have wanted to be anywhere near a Sturmtiger with an empty chamber if a pack of M18 HellCats or M36 Jacksons were anywhere around.

Armor notes
Front Hull - 100mm@65°
Front Superstructure - 150mm@45°

Here a link to the armor penetration table for the US 90 mm cannon
http://gva.freeweb.hu/weapons/usa_guns7.html

Here is a link to AP of both the 76mm M1 and the Soviet 85mm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/76_mm_gun_M1

And of course the British 17pounder (Go FireFlies!)
http://gva.freeweb.hu/weapons/british_guns5.html
(apds rounds supplied to troops after August 1944 could go through 161 mm at ~1800 meters)

All these weapons could pentrate the front of the sturmtiger ... the most likly reason it never happened is because
1. few sturmtigers were built(18 according to onwar.com).
2. only a fool drives anywhere near where one of those things was pointing :)

I agree that given the power of the weapon that if the TBU could be programed with an "Uber Shot" it would be nice(very cool really) but disagree with the IFA for tanks fitted with TBUs.

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

And ...

3. Little if any, of these weapons were available or around when the Sturmtiger was in the area.

I really doubt the value of having a IFA on the battlefield making a huge difference. But they were there, the vehicle is awesome and the build is much more rewarding than adding yet another Tiger I to the game.

Besides, if I really want to make a big impact on the battlefield and actually win, I'll bring the T34/85 or my Pershing.


Jeff

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

The coolness factor of the Sturmtiger and the quality of the work you have done will go far in making your battles more interesting. I have been up against IFA tanks before and the key on both sides is team work. an IFA tank by itself is easy pickings for a coordnated attack by as few as 2 tanks (just like any other TBU equipped tank) but if its flanks are protected by team mates (or the landscape) it could really turn the tide.

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

So I finally finished it. [sm=drowning.gif]



Jeff

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

Looks awsome I cain' wait till I get mine. This waiting 2 weeks is a pain in the butt.[:@]

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

Nice work Jeff[sm=thumbup.gif] you just need to get it in some dirt to start the weathering :D:D:D

Cheers Ian

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

Nice looking Sturmie and yeah get it dirty :)

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

Thanks guys!

Any suggestions on getting dirty please speak up! :D


Jeff

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

Go to the craft store and buy earth tone pastels, mark it up, brush it in, matt/dull coat it.

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

Easiest way to weather it. Take it out to a dirt field on a really dusty/dry day. Run it for a good while. Then take it out to the same field on a drizzly day. Not rainy downpour. Just a drizzle. Drive it around until theres an even sheen of wet al over it. Let it dry to see the results. Repeat often if necessary...or fun. Basicall let the elements and weather well....weather it. Sun to fade it, dust to dirty it and mud to finish off the effect.

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

Nice job.

With a calibre that size though I would forget the IR and go with a large bore paintball!!!!!!! Cover the opposition in paint and see how their IR bullets get through.

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

Thought I would update what my Sturmtiger looks like now, since I only have 2 documented build threads online. Still need to attach the front fenders now that they are painted to match. :D


http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...9/HPIM2741.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...9/HPIM2737.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...9/HPIM2736.jpg


- Jeff

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

I like it, it looks great. It's old school too, from back when you had to build your own.

Perry

RE: STURMTIGER almost finished
 

Hi Panther F,
Your Sturmtiger looks great. I like your camo pattern too. Are you going to weather the tracks? I enjoyed reading this older thread. James and I ofter battle head to head My Jagdtiger versus his Pershing. He hates my JT. We do have fun battling them. I hope you can battle your soon.
Bob