My next project is again one of the German crawlers, assault/infantry support self propelled gun. Sturmgeschutz IV (SdKfz 163 according to assembly booklet, but browsing through available references and books I found it listed as SdKfz 167) is one of the most famous German constructions based upon Panzer IV ausf H chassis. First Stug was based upon Panzer III chassis, with low enveloping armored superstructure. It did not have the turret as low profile was specially requested.
So far I made carcass with engine compartment, basic body cover and some details. This time body is the most difficult part to make, as it has a lot of angles and awkward shapes of superstructure. Carcass contains a lot of parts and was quite a challenge to put together in proper shape.
I also made model of the engine, it's not entirely accurate (for my first engine miniature), as references were at least not easy to get and tricky to read. I found a lot of pictures from restoration of Stug IV and it's heart in one of Polish military museum, link is here: http://muzeumbronipancernej.pl/en/contact-and-visits . As for model itself I plan to use laser cut tracks (from different manufacturer, so some fitting operations will be required as width of tracks is greater than tracks available with this model), make all hatches with working hinges, and maybe add up some extra details like side covers (large pieces of metal working as a shield), imitation of bolt heads (1 - 1,5mm diameter), welded joints.
Work is quite well in progress, most of body covers are in place, some small bits left to be added up, then I will move to suspension. Only 32 road wheels, 2 sprockets and 2 stretching wheels to make with 8 spring equalizers (4 each side). Chassis is exactly the same as for Hummel (check quick view gallery;) so I don't have any doubts about its construction. Should be easy and straightforward.
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