Review

This is the latest Stug released by MiniArt in 1/35th scale and is one of their interior kits. When you open the box, you are greeted by a huge quantity of plastic with no obvious faults observed beyond some ejector pin marks. At this point I will critique the fact that some extremely fine mouldings are present that I believe will be especially easy to break during removal, and others to disappear never to be seen again. But, that issue is more down to the level of detail MiniArt has provided. When this kit was first announced I noticed that Dave B was questioning radio placement within the model, and so I have included photographs of the interior assembly of the model for him to peruse and have his informed say. As far as I am concerned, I think the interior provided is pleasing with my knowledge level. 

Being an interior kit, does mean that you have some nice supports for all of the flat body mouldings that should ensure that are correctly placed and angled. In order to show off the interior, I would suggest that the roof of the fighting compartment is not glued down, as I believe you can gat away with it on this model to show off the interior. I can’t say that this release is for beginners, as the contents scare me and I have been making models for 50 years - and I am not sure I have the skill set to make the most of it, mostly due to unsteady hands and duff eyesight. The photo etch included with this release is not excessive and so that is one issue out of the way. There is a nice name plaque for it included on the photo etch fret. The main gun has the ability to pivot and elevate, for those who like to play and I do like the MP40s on the rear of the fighting compartment. A wiring guide is provided in the instruction booklet for which I would use solder, as it is easily shaped and worked with - but we all have our own preferences. 

Exterior body detail is good, featuring aspects such as: Clear viewing ports and periscopes, correct MG barrel for an armoured vehicle such as a tank, the ability to have hatches open to display both the engine bay and crew compartment will give you a reasonable view of the models guts if you don’t wish to leave the roof unsecured. The locking tool boxes even come with separate padlocks in this offering and the mud guards have good detail on both faces. The tow cable needs to be provided by yourself, with the eye hitches supplied ready for use. I have no issue with this as most of us have out own preferred cable to use on our models. All of the finishing options provided for this kit use the Schürzen plates and these are photo etch and so you have the ability to easily impart damage.

The 4 finishing options in this release are:

Sturmgestchutz-Abtelung, Kryvyi Rig/Nikopol District, Ukraine, December 1945

Sturmgestchutz Brigade 281, Eastern Front, Winter 1943/1944

Unidentified Unit, Eastern Front, Spring 1944

Unidentified Unit, Eastern Front, Autumn 1944

Conclusion

This offering from MiniArt is another fantastic release in their line of Stug IIIs. I like the fact that they have provided details for some specific vehicle finishes and 2 unidentified vehicles. The exterior of the model is usually covered in various small elements, that are not part of the vehicle but crews usually throw them on the vehicles themselves. But it is the interior of the kit is the star of the offering which while questions over accuracy have been raised I am always impressed with what is present and offered to the modeller straight from the box. The only other thing you could wish for is crew figures to be included.