Saturday, December 9

Preview: MiniArt's 35th scale Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.G Alkett Prod. October 1943 w/interior

MiniArt has released their latest 1/35th scale StuG III Ausf.G series—an Alkett Production version from October 1943—this kit with a full interior! We have the kit's features in CAD in our preview...


Preview: MiniArt's 35th scale Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.G Alkett Prod. October 1943 w/interior

Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.G Alkett Prod. October 1943 w/interior
From MiniArt
Kit No #35352
1/35th scale
The kit contains four marking choices in the box.
Photo-etch & clear parts are included
The Subject: Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.G Alkett Prod. October 1943
The StuG Ausf.G entered production in December, 1942 and remained in production until March/April, 1945. It was the most numerous from all Sturmgeschütz III, and some 7893 were produced by Alkett (Altmaerkische Kettenfabrik GmbH) and MIAG (Muehlenbau-und-Industrie AG). Production reached its peak when in 1944, 4013 Ausf Gs left factories. Alkett produced over 5000 Ausf, while MIAG began production in March 1943 and produced some 3000 vehicles. The Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G's modifications included the introduction of 80mm cast Saukopf (also known as Topfblende) mantlet in February, 1944; the coaxial MG in early 1944, installation of Nahverteidigungswaffe (90mm NbK 39 close-in defense weapon) and roof mounted remote controlled MG (Rundum Feuer) in late spring of 1944. In addition, vehicles produced since January, 1943 had the fighting compartment fan mounted on the rear superstructure wall instead of the roof. 

The Topfblende/Saukopf mantlet:
From October 1943, some Ausf.G versions were fitted with the Topfblende pot mantlet (often called Saukopf "Pig's head") with or without a coaxial mount. This cast mantlet, which had a sloped and rounded shape, was more effective at deflecting shots than the original boxy Kastenblende mantlet that had armour varying in thickness from 45 mm to 50 mm. The lack of large castings meant that the trapezoid-shape boxy mantlet was still also produced until the very end. Topfblende were fitted almost exclusively to Alkett-produced vehicles.

The kit: Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.G Alkett Prod. October 1943 w/interior kit from MiniArt.
This kit is a continuation of the StuG Ausf.G kit from MiniArt, this one with the very easily identifiable "Saukopf" mantlet as the first point of difference. MiniArt has provided CAD drawings of the kit so we can see how the kit looks. We know that there will be four colour choices and decals to match inside the box.

The CAD Illustrations of the kit in three different load outs....
This kit features an interior, so a detailed complete build is predicted, which suits a some of modellers. 
All of the hatches can be modelled in open or closed positions, and the weld seams on this kit are accurately depicted for this version.
The photo-etch will also be included as you can see - mostly in the form of the side skirts and smaller and thinner parts that are hard to replicate without using metal.
A decal sheet for the four marking options is included in the kit. We do not have the colour choices / patterns to choose from in this boxing yet.
This kit is due for release in a month's time
See more about all of MiniArt's kits on their website...