CYBERHOBBY
Product Specifications.
6454, 10.5cm Sturmhaubitze 42 Ausf.G w/Zimmerit. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 463 styrene parts (including 10 clear), two bags of Magic Tracks, one etched brass fret, one length of wound metal wire, three water-slide decal marking schemes and eight pages of instructions in 19 steps.
Introduction.
DML’s subsidiary, Cyberhobby continues to bring out new items based upon previous DML kits. Some are limited edition releases, while others are not; this latest Zimmerit-encrusted kit belongs in the latter category. It has molded-on Zimmerit in the so-called waffle plate pattern associated with Sturmgeschütze produced at the Alkett factory from September 1943 until September 1944. In addition, this release has been armed with the Sturmhaubitze 42 in the slab-sided welded mantle and also includes the cast armored guard welded to the area immediately in front of the commander’s cupola.
Otherwise, the remainder of the kit is nearly identical to all previous DML/Cyberhobby StuG.III Ausf.G kits. Therefore, much of this review will come from previous posts on this site. In addition, the photos will concentrate exclusively on the new parts in this box; for additional images, see previous reviews here at ToT.
Tracks.
These come loosely packed in two bags and are so-called Magic Tracks. They represent the 40cm-wide links that had hollow guide horns and smooth cleat faces. These tracks are also handed, so the modeler is cautioned not to open up the bags and mix things up prior to assembly; as an added bit of help, each side’s links are a slightly different color of gray styrene. Being Magic Tracks, they have no sprue attachment points, which is a definite time saver since no cutting or clean-up in that regard is required. Each has a pair of extremely faint ejector pin marks on the inner face. These can be ignored or erased as the modeler sees fit. They fit together easily but quite loosely, and must be fixed together with glue prior to handling.
Suspension System.
The road-wheels are conventionally molded in inner and outer pieces, with integral rubber tires. The outer faces of the wheel hubs feature perforations and weld beads where appropriate, while the tires have a facsimile of the manufacturer’s logo (ContinentaU) on their rims. On the inner faces, the tubes that helped join the wheel halves together are molded on, providing an unprecedented level of detail in this regard. Spare road wheels and spare track pins are also given for stowage. The return rollers are in two parts (inner and outer halves).
The drive sprockets come as conventional inner and outer pieces and are completely detailed. The idler wheels are also composed of inner and outer parts, but feature separate hubs as well as etched brass inner rings for a proper undercut appearance. The idler wheels also have a separate axle arm that can be adjusted for fit. The modeler is advised not to glue it in place on the hull until the fit and sag of the tracks have been worked out.
Separate internal torsion bars are given as are beautifully-detailed separate external swing arms. This will allow the suspension to be fixed in an articulated fashion if the modeler desires to place his work on a base with irregular terrain; to do so, simply cut off the pins that protrude from the hull sides, which are there in case the modeler wants a level, fixed suspension. The bump stops, final drive housings (with separate inner mounting plates) and slide-molded shock absorbers are also separate parts
Hull.
The main part of the hull comes from a slide-mold so it is fully detailed on all faces. This includes mounts for the road-wheel torsion bar/swing arm units, idler wheel mount, bump stops and shock absorbers, as well as the various bolted strips that connected the hull to the superstructure. Weld beads are also present. The belly has drain plug and access plate detail molded in place, plus bolt and rivet heads, as well as weld beads. These hulls also had patches of Zimmerit applied to parts of their side walls; this feature is well represented.
The separate bow plate and glacis plates also have molded-on Zimmerit, as do the separate two-piece final drive access hatch lids. On the glacis plate, a three-piece Notek black-out driving head-lamp, stem and base is then mounted. The hull rear plate is detailed with the following separate styrene parts: exhaust mufflers, reflector, splitter plates, three-part two clevises, three-part exhaust deflector and domed access panel. The screen seen beneath the overhang is given as an etched brass part.
Separate track-guards are provided, with the main parts being detailed on the top and bottom surfaces; neither is marred by ejector pin marks. There are a number of styrene and etched brass parts added to these main parts so that all braces, etc. can be depicted in great detail. Most of the tools, as well as the five-part jack, two-part, slide-molded jack block, tow cable mounts, end-loops and brackets (with wound metal wire for the cables), fire extinguisher and two-part convoy tail-lamp are then attached to the fenders. The tools have nice clasp details, while the tow cable mounts and jack mounts are separate parts. A number of small wing-nuts are given to detail these items and the end result is bound to be most impressive.
Superstructure.
The engine deck is a separate part and is configured much like the original; the entire assembly can be left off to depict an engine change. Coming from a slide mold, all surfaces have the Zimmerit beautifully represented. The four hatch lids are separate parts, with proper coaming detail around the hatch openings. The armored cowls that surmount the engine cooling openings on the hatch lids are separate parts as are their mounts. All of these items also have Zimmerit. A separate tool box as well as gun tube bore swabs and staffs are also mounted here. The latter includes fine separate bracket detail, while more tools are mounted on the side walls.
At the side are proper air intake vents, with the correct means of attachment to the walls, including their internal openings. These are topped by etched brass screens, and detailed with, among other items, lift hooks and tools where appropriate; these too have molded-on Zimmerit.
Casemate.
The casemate is configured as a separate part and attaches much like the original. It comes from a slide-mold and features excellent Zimmerit detail on all applicable surfaces, as well as mounting strips and bolt heads, all molded in place. Several separate parts, also with Zimmerit are placed around the opening for the main gun. All of the separate armor plates for the casemate front have Zimmerit, as does the driver’s hinged view-port cover; it can be positioned opened or closed and it has an internal glass block represented in clear styrene. Separate parts are provided for the side lift rings, rear antennae mounts and flexible rubber bases (but no rod antennae), spare track rack (including separate wing-nuts) and cover for the exhaust fan.
The roof plate is separate and has fine recessed screw head details around its edges, as well as hinge, weld and panel details, all molded on. A new cast armored guard is given for the front of the commander’s cupola. Separate parts for the loader’s gun shield (complete with an excellent slide-molded, multi-part Gen2 MG34) are provided, as well as for his hatch’s lids. The commander’s cupola is a multi-part assembly with clear periscope heads and clear scissors telescope. The separate hatch lid for it is a multi-part affair that includes separate locking latches and rubber bump stop.
The gun mantle is the slab-sided welded/bolted type; it comes from a slide-mold and is completely detailed with proper weld beads and bolts. The new 10.5cm StuH42 gun tube is a single part with a slight seam that will need to be cleaned up; for this I recommend the classic Flex-I-File. The slide-molded muzzle brake is integral with the gun tube and includes the external locking nut; a separate bore end completes the unit. The separate slide-molded collar, where the gun tube enters the mantle, is exquisitely-rendered to include counter-sunk screw heads. The original parts for the StuK40 are also included, but I am not sure if that configuration was seen on Alkett-manufactured Sturmgeschütze when they were given Zimmerit. It would seem, from existing photos, that by the time Zimmerit was applied, the StuK40 was mounted inside the cast Topfblende (pot handle) mantle. On the other hand, MIAG-manufactured Sturmgeschütze, once they were given the cross-hatch-patterned Zimmerit, still retained the welded mantle. Check those references!
Interior.
Internally, the 10.5cm StuH42 main gun is complimented by an almost totally complete mount. This includes cradle, recoil cylinders, traverse and elevation hand-wheels, gunner’s seat, new multi-part breech block, sight mounts and clear Sfl.Z.F.1a gun sight. This entire item mounts over the drive shaft tunnel, which in turn, is attached to the floor plate. A bulkhead/engine firewall unit encloses the compartment at the rear. Above that is the inner works of the exhaust fan, which includes a separate fan blade unit. There is also a commander’s seat.
Separate inner sponson units are detailed with various radio sets along with some of their ancillary accessories. To these are fitted separate mounting racks; enough equipment is given to create a command vehicle. There is much missing here, but some of it is standard equipment such as head-phone boxes, gas mask canisters, MP40s and ammunition magazine containers. Many modelers will have these in their spares box. Major items such as StuH42 ammunition racks, the entire driver’s compartment, some vents and pipes will have to be scratch-built or sourced from the after-market industry. It should be noted that Cyberhobby has marketed two upgrades for this and other areas of the base kit. These have both been reviewed here on ToT.
Molding, Fit and Engineering.
Like many of their recent new-tool kits, DML’s designers have gone to great lengths to provide a level of detail on the styrene parts not often previously seen. Although not a new technique (it is as old as injection-molding), slide-molds have been used in a very intelligent way either to allow for better detail rendition, or for ease of assembly. On visible surfaces, not a single ejector pin mark was found and there was no shrinkage of any kind. Fit of major parts was excellent and mold seams were faint and easily dealt with. As usual, the road-wheels and return rollers will require the most effort to clean, since there are 24 of the former and 12 of the latter; all have seams around their middles as well as sprue attachment points.
Accuracy.
As far as I could tell, using the scale drawings in reference 1 and 2, this kit is extremely accurate in its major dimensions, shapes and angles. The designers and their consultants have gotten the visible details right with an especially effective rendering of the Zimmerit pattern. The breech for the StuH42 does not match that seen in photos in reference 14, below. The cast armored guard seen in front of the commander’s cupola needs weld bead detail added and in all probability the disk-shaped armored guard over the exhaust fan should also have Zimmerit included, as seen in photos.
In the area of omissions I noted the following that would be of concern to me personally: no rod antennae are provided, there is no ammunition magazine for the loader’s external MG34, no spent shell case bag is given for beneath the StuH42 main gun and no Schürzen or hangers are present.
Decals and Markings Information.
Water-slide decals printed in Italy by Cartograf, provide three choices of markings as follows:
• Unidentified unit, Ostfront 1944.
• Black/white 202, Sturmgeschütze-Brigade 202, Kurland 1945.
• Black/white 304, Sturmgeschütze-Brigade 904, East Prussia 1945.
Instructions.
These are in the conventional drawn style and appear to be well-done. As usual, they are busy and will require careful study.
Conclusion.
This kit is a well-done addition to the stable of DML/Cyberhobby's expanding range of StuG.III and Pz.Kpfw.III-related AFVs. The addition of Zimmerit saves the modeler quite a bit of work, while the main armament of the 10.5cm lFH provides yet another degree of uniqueness.
Highly recommended.
Frank V. Curley the Stooge De Sisto
References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to:
1. Sturmgeschütz, s.PaK to Sturmmörser; Panzer Tracts No.8, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
2. Sturmgeschütz and its Variants; Speilberger Series Vol.II, Schiffer, by W. Spielberger.
3. Sturmgeschütz III & IV 1942-45; Osprey New Vanguard 37, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
4. Sturmartillerie & Panzerjäger 1939-1945; Osprey New Vanguard 34, by B. Perrett.
5. The Sturmgeschütze in World War II 1939-1945, a Photo Chronicle; Schiffer, by W. Fleischer & R. Eiermann.
6. Sturmgeschütz Vor!; J.J. Fedorowicz, by F. Kurowski.
7. 7,000 Kilometers in a Sturmgeschütz; J.J. Fedorowicz, by H. Engel.
8. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Revised Edition; by P. Chamberlain, H. Doyle & T. Jentz
9. Sturmgeschütz III; Squadron Armor in Action 14, by B. Culver.
10. Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.G; Squadron Walk Around 5702, by T. Cockle.
11. Panzer Colors III; Squadron 6253, by B. Culver.
12. Sturmartillerie; Aero Armor 3, by W. Spielberger & U. Feist.
13. StuG.III; Sturm & Drang 2.
14. Sturmgeschütz III, StuG.IV & s.IG33; Achtung Panzer 5, by M. Bitoh, H. Kitamura, T. Namie & S. Hards.
15. Sturmgeschütz III in Kampfeinsatz; Tankograd 4007, by M. Zöllner
16. StuG.III w Miniaturie; Kagero 35001, by G. Parada & S. Jablonski.
17. StuG w Akcji; Armagedon, by A. Majewski.
18. Sturmgeschütz III, Miltar’s Kits Hors Serie 3, by V. Deygas & A. Milesi.
19. Modelling the Sturmgeschütz III; Osprey Modelling 22, by G. Edmundson.
20. German Sturmartillerie, Vol.1; Concord 7029, by F. De Sisto & L. Lecocq.
21. German Sturmartillerie, Vol.2; Concord 70??, by F. De Sisto & L. Lecocq (soon to be published).
22. Toadman’s Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.G Photo CD; Toadman’s Tank Pictures by Chris Hughes.
Reviewer’s note: Since May of 2005, I have been working on books for Concord Publications, a sister company to Cyberhobby. The reader may wish to take this into consideration. For my part, I will attempt to maintain an objective viewpoint when writing these reviews.
Cyberhobby kits are available for a limited time, direct from the manufacturer. For information and images see their web-site at: www.cyber-hobby.com.
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