Preview: A 35th scale Early StuG.III Ausf.G from Hobbyboss in December...

Just one kit so far next month from Hobbyboss; a 35th scale Early StuG.III Ausf.G. We look at the colours, decals & CAD features in our preview...

Preview: A 35th scale Early StuG.III Ausf.G from Hobbyboss in December...

StuG.III Ausf.G

by Hobbyboss

Model no.: 84561

1/35th scale

Product Link

The Sturmgeschütz (StuG) III Ausf. G

The Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G entered production in December 1942 and became the final, most heavily produced variant of the StuG series, with over 8,400 units built. Built on a modified Panzer III chassis, it featured a redesigned, widened upper superstructure that eliminated the older welded boxes on the sides and increased the overall vehicle height to 2,160 mm. Early production models retained a boxy, flat gun mantlet for the potent 7.5 cm StuK 40 L/48 anti-tank gun and integrated a dedicated cast commander's cupola equipped with periscopes, giving the four-man crew vastly improved battlefield situational awareness. For close-range defence, an MG34 machine gun with a protective shield was mounted on top of the superstructure for the loader.

The decals in the box

Tactically, the Ausf. G shifted the vehicle's primary identity from a pure infantry support weapon into one of the most lethal and cost-effective tank destroyers of World War II. Armed with the long-barrelled 75 mm gun and up to 80 mm of frontal armour, its low profile allowed crews to use ambush tactics effectively against heavily armoured Soviet and Allied armour. As the war progressed into 1943, early features evolved rapidly—including the addition of side-hull spaced armour plates (Schürzen) in May 1943 and the later introduction of the rounded "Saukopf" (pig's head) cast gun mantlet. Despite lacking a rotating turret, its simple casemate design kept production fast and inexpensive, enabling it to shoulder a massive share of anti-armour combat through the end of the war.

The colour profiles of this kit

- Model Length: 192.3mm   Width: 94.1 mm  

- The kit consists of over 610 parts.

- 16 sprues, upper hull and lower hull

- Multi-slide moulded lower hull and upper hull

-Individual track links

- Photo-etched parts included

The kit features in CAD form;
The primary CAD rendering highlights the complete exterior profile of the vehicle, emphasising the iconic low-slung silhouette of the superstructure. The 7.5 cm StuK 40 L/48 main gun is sharply defined, utilising a multi-piece assembly that interfaces with a square, welded block-style gun mantlet. Along the lower edge of the superstructure and down the hull sides, the breakdown includes delicate yet robust mounting brackets specifically intended for hanging defensive Schürzen side armour plates. Additionally, the running gear features detailed replication of the dished road wheels, drive sprockets, and interlocking individual track links, while the rear engine deck is flanked by highlighted photo-etch tubular storage racks that outline the vehicle's field-modified gear configuration.

Focusing on the rear-quarter perspective, this view provides an excellent look at the engine deck layout and the open configuration of the fighting compartment tub. The superstructure roof is omitted here, illustrating how the main gun mount, internal firewall, and lower hull bulkheads interconnect during assembly. On the engine deck itself, the rendering outlines the parallel rectangular maintenance access hatches alongside subtle surface fasteners and weld lines. The highlighted photo-etch tubular framing is showcased from a rear angle, demonstrating exactly how it anchors to the rear fenders and spans the exhaust area to form a rigid, practical frame for stowing crew equipment and spare road wheels.

This multi-part drawing isolates the core combat elements and high-detail sub-assemblies of the fighting compartment. The central rendering details the complete upper superstructure shell, verifying the precise placement of the commander's position, periscope slots, and forward armour angles. The individual breakdowns include a detailed view of the commander’s cupola, showing a multi-layer ring setup with distinct vision blocks and an open hatch mechanism. For close-defence systems, a dedicated assembly illustrates the forward machine gun shield complete with a detailed MG34, its folding defensive plate, and the associated mounting hardware. Finally, a close-up section breaks down the angled triple smoke grenade discharger pod designed for installation on the forward superstructure sides.

The image shows the fine detail parts, tools, and on-vehicle material (OVM) that bring realism to the exterior surfaces. The box-shaped horizontal rear exhaust muffler is broken down alongside its specific curved piping connectors to ensure an accurate fit on the rear hull plate. Pioneer tools are rendered as standalone components, featuring a straight-headed shovel and a heavy-duty pry bar complete with moulded-on holding clamps and brackets. The running gear details are further reinforced by an isolated dished road wheel render that clearly defines the hub bolt configuration, while smaller utility parts like a reinforced storage box with visible corner plating and a single Notek blackout driving light round out the comprehensive accessory selection.

This new kit is (or should soon be) available from HobbyBoss distributors worldwide...