Tuesday, September 20

Preview: MiniArt's 35th scale StuG III Ausf.G March 1943 Alkett Prod. w/winter tracks. Interior kit.

Miniart have added three historical variants to their full interior 35th scale StuG III Ausf.G March 1943 Alkett Production variant kit. Those three marking choices each bear the Ostketten or Winterketten that is so popular with modellers. We look at the real tanks, the marking choices & MiniArt's kit in our preview...

Preview: MiniArt's 35th scale StuG III Ausf.G March 1943 Alkett Prod. w/winter tracks. Interior kit.

StuG III Ausf.G March 1943 Alkett Prod. w/winter tracks. Interior kit.
From MiniArt
Kit No #35367
1/35th scale
The kit contains three marking choices in the box.
Photo-etch & clear parts are included
The Subject: The StuG III Ausf. G March 1943 w/winter tracks "Mid" Alkett 1943.
By May 1943, Alkett started fitting Schurzen (spaced armoured side skirts) to the tanks, but it was rushed out, and the fixations were later proven inadequate at Kursk (this was corrected in March 1944). 80 mm (3.15 in) armour plates were used instead of applique armour. In all, Alkett was responsible for delivering 7500 StuGs, while MIAG built 2586. Alkett also carried out the conversion of 173 older Panzer IIIs to the StuG III Ausf.G standard, and 142 were based on the late Panzer III Ausf.M chassis.  
By March 1943, simplification pushed to drop the driver’s periscope. Metal return rollers were also required due to the lack of rubber. The main gun was unchanged, and in June 1944, it received a coaxial MG 34. Another big change was the adoption of a rotating cupola with periscopes, later replaced by a fixed, welded one, because of the sudden shortage of ball bearings. These had shot deflectors generalized by February 1944. Zimmerit anti-magnetic coating was factory applied for just a year, from September 1943 to September 1944.

The kit: Sturmgeschutz III Ausf. G April 1943 Alkett Prod. Interior Kit 
This kit is a continuation of the February productions StuG Ausf.G kit from MiniArt, this one with a full interior and winter tracks, called Ostketten or Winterketten.

Three versions of the kit are available, and everything in between, if you add your own decals and marking choice.
The kit's features:
This kit features a full interior, an accurately depicted driver's compartment and fighting compartment with full ammunition. All of the hatches can be modelled in open or closed positions, and the transmission compartment is accurately represented. 

The thing that is common to all of these are the Winterketten / Ostketten. Each of these had a different load out.
A full engine included also. The tracks are the workable type and clear parts are also included for the transparent parts like the opticals in the cupolas. We also know that some photo-etch is included in the kit. 
The photo-etch sheets in this boxing replicate the thinner parts of the tank. The decals include not only the ammunition and the dials for the drier's instruments.
Decal sheet for 3 options
A decal sheet for five marking options is included in the kit. Shown below, we have photos of some of the original tanks in her to compare them with...





This kit is due for release in a month's time
See more about all of MiniArt's kits on their website...