DML 1/35 StuG III (Fl) Kit First Look
By Cookie Sewell
| Date of Review | March 2012 | Manufacturer | DML |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | StuG III (Fl) | Scale | 1/35 |
| Kit Number | 6753 | Primary Media | 797 parts (547 in grey styrene, 216 “Magic Track” links, 19 etched brass, 14 clear styrene, 1 length of twisted steel wire) |
| Pros | First injection molded kit of this type | Cons | Unknown due to low production numbers and limited photo evidence of use |
| Skill Level | Experienced | MSRP (USD) | $49.95 |
First Look
The latest boutique entry from DML’s affiliate cyber-hobby.com is a kit of what is essentially the StuG III Ausf. F/8 fitted with a fixed flamethrower. Ten conversions of this type were made in mid 1943 but information on use is sketchy. For some odd reason the Germans adopted a fixed flamethrower for their heavy vehicle mount which meant the vehicle had to be close to its target and pointed right at it to operate. Soviet, American and British vehicle were usually all gun tanks fitted with supplemental flame projectors that had at least a limited amount of traverse or were turret mounted, which meant much more flexibility of use and better engagements. For once this does not appear to be a very good solution to the problem by German engineering.
As with other kits, it uses most of the past sprues from the Ausf. F/8 kit but adds one new sprue of six parts for the flame projector as well as an etched brass armored cover for the aperture for the projector.
The same 20-piece etched brass fret is included with the wheel rims and the air intake and exhaust grilles on the engine deck plus some non-slip gridding. It also comes with the styrene mounts and etched nickel schurtzen protective shielding.
Technical assistance was provided by Tom Cockle and Gary Edmundson.
One generic finishing option is provided: Unidentified Unit (probably a testbed), 1943 (sand with crosses on the sides and rear). A tiny Cartograf decal sheet is provided.
Overall this is a different variant of the StuG and due to the low production numbers and lack of information on its combat use a good choice for cyber-hobby.com to kit.
Thanks to DML for the review sample.
Sprue Layout:
- A 61x2 Wheels and torsion bars (7 mini-sprues connected)
- A 88 Pzkw. III generic details
- A 34 Pzkw. III Ausf. M details - hatches, plates, brackets, exhaust
- B 48 Road wheel arms and lower hull details
- C 6 Flamethrower components
- D 32 StuG III - Basic upper hull details
- E 34 StuG III G - Interior and radio sets
- G 15 OVM and light components
- G 55 Fender and upper hull details
- G 24 OVM and hull details
- H 1 Lower hull pan
- J 10 Clear styrene
- N 1 Twisted steel wire
- R 26 StuG III Ausf. F8 casemate and details
- Q 50 StuG III Ausf. F8 details and radio sets
- W 8 StuG III Ausf. F8 engine deck and fenders
- V 4 Clear styrene
- Y 108 “Magic Link” tracks - left
- Z 108 “Magic Link” tracks - right
- WC 4 MG34
- MA 18 Etched brass
- MB 1 Etched brass