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REVIEW
StuG III Ausf. E
CMOT
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Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 01:55 AM UTC
Bill Cross reviews Bronco''s new Stug III Ausf. E.

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
ULIX-VM
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Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 02:09 AM UTC
the german models overside any other period of warfare.
SgtRam
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Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 02:12 AM UTC
Bill great review, definitely an option for a StuG. Might have to add it to the stash list, and build queue.
bilbobee
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Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 02:26 AM UTC
Nice review Bill, your right on with the tracks, Thanks
Tojo72
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Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 03:41 AM UTC
Nice review,I will probably wait for the DAK version they are coming out with.

Do c they provide plastic options for some of the fiddly PE parts the way Dragon does ?
kuz
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Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 03:56 AM UTC
Looking much forward to seeing this set
Biggles2
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Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 04:03 AM UTC

Quoted Text

the german models overside any other period of warfare.



Whaaaaaaaat??
knewton
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Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 04:12 AM UTC
Hello Bill,

thanks for the review, I'm off of work this weekend, and away to boot, I will be starting this kit then (and hopefully finishing it, too).

I've a couple of questions about the kit: Step 1, there are optional drive sprockets, are these "early" or "late"? There is no mention in the instructions; similarly, Step 2, there are two options for the scissor periscopes, parts A27 or A28, the difference being the cover over the optics, but no mention as to whether these are specific to any particular marking option; and, finally, the tracks, are these "handed" given that there is a different pin for each side. I intend to research this further today, before work, and may well answer my own questions later on today.

And Tojo72, from examining the instructions and the kit, there are plastic options for most of the PE parts, either molded on already, Step 8, that you remove if you want to use the PE equivalent, or, at Step 13, are straight substitutes, plastic for PE. There are a couple of parts that are only rendered as PE, but these are at a minimum. And are necessary.

Bill, you're absolutely right about the dullness of the markings available. Thankfully, Echelon, Archer, and Star all make options. I've only found the one photograph of an 'E' cammoed (other than whitewash), and that is purported to be Stug. Abt. 197, Krim 1942. It looks like locally applied mud in lieu of paint. But still an option.

My only gripe with the kit would be a lack of commentary in the instructions about options; but then, I'm happy to have a good and accurate 'E' to build, that isn't so complex as to be a nightmare.

And I may yet get the DAK 'D', just because!

Kylie
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 04:34 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

the german models overside any other period of warfare.



Whaaaaaaaat??



I think he's trying to say that German WWII vehicles, figures, etc, ECLIPSE everything else out there...

He's right, you know...
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 04:36 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Bill Cross reviews Bronco''s new Stug III Ausf. E.

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!



Hi, Bill!

Thanks for the review! In your opinion, how does this kit compare to the latest DRAGON kit of same..?
m4sherman
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Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 04:44 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hello Bill,

thanks for the review, I'm off of work this weekend, and away to boot, I will be starting this kit then (and hopefully finishing it, too).

I've a couple of questions about the kit: Step 1, there are optional drive sprockets, are these "early" or "late"? There is no mention in the instructions; similarly, Step 2, there are two options for the scissor periscopes, parts A27 or A28, the difference being the cover over the optics, but no mention as to whether these are specific to any particular marking option; and, finally, the tracks, are these "handed" given that there is a different pin for each side. I intend to research this further today, before work, and may well answer my own questions later on today.

And Tojo72, from examining the instructions and the kit, there are plastic options for most of the PE parts, either molded on already, Step 8, that you remove if you want to use the PE equivalent, or, at Step 13, are straight substitutes, plastic for PE. There are a couple of parts that are only rendered as PE, but these are at a minimum. And are necessary.

Bill, you're absolutely right about the dullness of the markings available. Thankfully, Echelon, Archer, and Star all make options. I've only found the one photograph of an 'E' cammoed (other than whitewash), and that is purported to be Stug. Abt. 197, Krim 1942. It looks like locally applied mud in lieu of paint. But still an option.

My only gripe with the kit would be a lack of commentary in the instructions about options; but then, I'm happy to have a good and accurate 'E' to build, that isn't so complex as to be a nightmare.

And I may yet get the DAK 'D', just because!

Kylie



After looking over the sprues it looks like Bronco gives you the option of having the bolt heads on the drive sprockets covered or uncovered. The covers were missing more often on later Stugs, so maybe there is a F or G in the works.
hanb7323
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Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 07:35 AM UTC
Nice
bill_c
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Posted: Monday, August 22, 2016 - 08:55 PM UTC
Thank you all for the kind words. Always glad to find resonance with my readers.

Quoted Text

Step 1, there are optional drive sprockets, are these "early" or "late"?


No, just variants. See other posters.

Quoted Text

Step 2, there are two options for the scissor periscopes, parts A27 or A28, the difference being the cover over the optics, but no mention as to whether these are specific to any particular marking option;


The Ausf. E was the first time the periscopes were provided for the vehicle commander; they apparently had been variously on-board earlier variants that were providing artillery support.

Quoted Text

...and, finally, the tracks, are these "handed" given that there is a different pin for each side. I intend to research this further today, before work, and may well answer my own questions later on today.


Not from what I can see.

Quoted Text

I've only found the one photograph of an 'E' cammoed (other than whitewash), and that is purported to be Stug. Abt. 197, Krim 1942. It looks like locally applied mud in lieu of paint. But still an option.


And a corking-fine option at that. Had not thought about mud as camo for this vehicle! BTW, Krim is "Crimea."

Quoted Text

Thanks for the review! In your opinion, how does this kit compare to the latest DRAGON kit of same..?


I don't believe the Dragon kit is out yet, but looking at the photos I've seen shows no metal barrel and DS rubber band tracks. I'm sure the DML version will be a fine kit, however.
brekinapez
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Posted: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 - 02:44 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

the german models overside any other period of warfare.



Whaaaaaaaat??



I think he's trying to say that German WWII vehicles, figures, etc, ECLIPSE everything else out there...

He's right, you know...



Well, not a lot of armor out there for the Punic Wars or Agincourt, you know.
AgentG
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Posted: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 - 09:37 AM UTC
Would the StuG III E fit the time period for winterketten?

G
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 - 03:32 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

the german models overside any other period of warfare.



Whaaaaaaaat??



I think he's trying to say that German WWII vehicles, figures, etc, ECLIPSE everything else out there...

He's right, you know...



Well, not a lot of armor out there for the Punic Wars or Agincourt, you know.





Or Borodino, 1812, for that matter...
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 - 03:42 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Would the StuG III E fit the time period for winterketten?

G



You could use "Winterketten" on a Stug.III Ausf.E, as the "Winterketten" appeared in early 1942...

"Ostketten" on the other hand, didn't appear until 1944, in order to provide higher "floatation" or lighter "ground-pressure" during the Russian "Rasputitsa", or loosely translated, "Mud Season", which occurred once the legendary Russian Winter Snows started to melt with the arrival of Spring...

Note: The "Winterketten" had triangular extensions on the outer edges of the Tracks, whereas the "Ostketten" were dedicated wider Tracks. The "Ostketten" replaced the "Winterketten" when their production was terminated...

(info obtained from- AXIS HISTORY FORUM, at:

forum.axishistory.com

under "Axis Equipment")
JPTRR
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RAILROAD MODELING
#051
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Posted: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 - 07:16 PM UTC

Quoted Text

...cammoed...Stug. Abt. 197, Krim 1942. It looks like locally applied mud in lieu of paint.





I love mud camouflage. Is it Panzer Colors that shows the crewman camouflaging a vehicle in mud with a mop? I recall there's the shot of doing so with to a Sd.Kfz. 251 with mud in a crosshatch pattern, using a brush.

The StuG looks fffiiiinne. I gotta start figuring out how to cull the herd so I can acquire some of these "latest-greatest".
JPTRR
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Posted: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 - 07:18 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Or Borodino, 1812, for that matter...



Actually, Dennis, there were. I have some Kodachrome slides of them.
AgentG
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Posted: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 - 07:58 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Would the StuG III E fit the time period for winterketten?

G



You could use "Winterketten" on a Stug.III Ausf.E, as the "Winterketten" appeared in early 1942...

"Ostketten" on the other hand, didn't appear until 1944, in order to provide higher "floatation" or lighter "ground-pressure" during the Russian "Rasputitsa", or loosely translated, "Mud Season", which occurred once the legendary Russian Winter Snows started to melt with the arrival of Spring...

Note: The "Winterketten" had triangular extensions on the outer edges of the Tracks, whereas the "Ostketten" were dedicated wider Tracks. The "Ostketten" replaced the "Winterketten" when their production was terminated...

(info obtained from- AXIS HISTORY FORUM, at:

forum.axishistory.com

under "Axis Equipment")



Perfect, thank you. I have an old Cyber Hobby E model partially built and a set of Winterketten Magic Tracks begging for a home.

G
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Wednesday, August 24, 2016 - 12:15 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Or Borodino, 1812, for that matter...



Actually, Dennis, there were. I have some Kodachrome slides of them.



FRED! YOU are FREAKIN' ME OUT!!!
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Wednesday, August 24, 2016 - 12:17 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Would the StuG III E fit the time period for winterketten?

G



You could use "Winterketten" on a Stug.III Ausf.E, as the "Winterketten" appeared in early 1942...

"Ostketten" on the other hand, didn't appear until 1944, in order to provide higher "floatation" or lighter "ground-pressure" during the Russian "Rasputitsa", or loosely translated, "Mud Season", which occurred once the legendary Russian Winter Snows started to melt with the arrival of Spring...

Note: The "Winterketten" had triangular extensions on the outer edges of the Tracks, whereas the "Ostketten" were dedicated wider Tracks. The "Ostketten" replaced the "Winterketten" when their production was terminated...

(info obtained from- AXIS HISTORY FORUM, at:

forum.axishistory.com

under "Axis Equipment")



Perfect, thank you. I have an old Cyber Hobby E model partially built and a set of Winterketten Magic Tracks begging for a home.

G



You're Very Welcome!
bill_c
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Posted: Wednesday, August 24, 2016 - 01:25 AM UTC
For those curious about comparisons with the upcoming Dragon StuG III Ausf. E, here is a very thorough set of sprue shots and build photos.
RGasper85
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Posted: Friday, October 14, 2016 - 11:17 PM UTC
Excellent review. I'm dying to build this one up as it will be my first early version StuG. Any info on where I can order one online? I live in the States and usually order from squadron or ScaleHobbyist.com but the don't have this kit.
brekinapez
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Posted: Saturday, October 15, 2016 - 12:17 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Excellent review. I'm dying to build this one up as it will be my first early version StuG. Any info on where I can order one online? I live in the States and usually order from squadron or ScaleHobbyist.com but the don't have this kit.



Well, there is always dragonusaonline.com

If you're not in a rush to get it, it might turn up on the Dragon Daily Deal for 50% off.
 _GOTOTOP