Hello,

I need some advice regarding the Academy Stug IV Kit # 1332. I have heard mixed reviews. I believe that the tracks are of the old type (not single links). Further that the detail is really not that great. This aside I really am interested in building a Stug sometime in the future. Would appreciate any advice.

Thanks Wayne

IIRC it's a copy of the Tamiya Stug IV. it's not great, but not too expensive either.
It has one principal error, the driver's casemate roof doesn't have a forward slope, but is horizontal.
To change this you need to saw of the roof but leave the part near the fighting compartment attached. Next cut a wedge out of the casemate sides. The slope should cover 1 mm from front to rear (front 1 mm > rear 0 mm). This doesn't seem like much, but it's very visible. Next bend down the roof and glue together. Finaly repair the sides if neccesary.
This kit also needs zimmerit added, as all early Stug IV had this aplied at the factory. Stug IV had the Panzer IV zimmerit pattern.
Of course adding some better tracks is highly recommended.

The rest is really up to you, you could f.e. add the Tamiya Panzer IV tools from the separate available Panzer IV tool set.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your project.



best regards,


Marc Brandes

You could also change the wheels for those from the
Tamiya Panzer IV J. The original wheels on the Tamiya/ Academy Stug IV are too narrow.
Either Rainbow Ten, Tamiya USA or your local Tamiya importer should be able to get you these if you have the kit number and sprue order number.



best regards,


Marc Brandes

IIRC the driver's compartment is also slightly too long. According to the drawings in PanzerTracts by Jentz and Doyle, it should be 1.6 cm in lenght. The kit has additional concrete frontal armour so this gives you same liberty in this regard.

best regards,


Marc Brandes

Hi Marc,

Sounds like quite a challenge. Thanks for the advice, I never knew that the kit was so different from the real vehicle. Will be getting stuck in shortly.

Cheers Wayne