The Modelling News: The new 1/16th scale StuG III Ausf. G (early) with Winterketten. (& Winterketten sets sold on their own) from Das Werk

Das Werk has released more information of their new large scale StuG we previewed from the Nuremburg Toy Fair. The 16th scale StuG III Ausf.G with Winterketten looks a little tasty - seeing this IS the year of the Sturmgeschütz. We examine it (& the spare track set sold separately) in our preview...

The new 1/16th scale StuG III Ausf.G (early) with Winterketten. from Das Werk

StuG III Ausf.G (early) with Winterketten.

From Das Werk

Kit No #16003

1/16th scale

Photo-etch parts included

Made in co-operation with Takom, this 1/16th scale kit will come with seven marking choices (7!). The Winterketten are all workable links and run on movable suspension. There are no figures included in this release, but there is a basic interior included.

The Subject: The StuG III Ausf.G (Early) w/ Winterketten.
By May 1943, Alkett started fitting Schurzen (spaced armoured side skirts) to their Stug III's, 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 total, Alkett was responsible for delivering 7500 StuG III's, 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, the simplification process 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.

Winterketten were developed in 1942 for use in winter conditions on the Eastern Front. These were basically a normal track with track extensions that protruded from the ends of the tracks. These are recognizable by the long triangular extensions. These were usually found on the PzKpfw III, PzKpfw IV and StuG III but could also be seen on Hummel, Hornisse and other vehicles.

The Kit from Das Werk

This kit is made in conjunction with Takom, The plastic will be familiar to some of you through the recent releases they have seen from other model shops that released Takom's plastic through their own brands. The larger, early StuG is a popular kit, even though it has been in vogue this year with model companies, not much is out there in Winterketten-clad StuG III's. We look at the feature set now...

StuG III Ausf. G (early) with Winterketten.

From Das Werk

Kit No #16003

1/16th scale

Photo-etch parts included

Product Link