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***FINISHED*** -Stug IIID, Sonderverband 288, Panzer-Grenadier Regiment -- Afrika, D.A.K., 1/35th Dragon


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Been wanting to build this vehicle for ages, took time to assemble bits This is the fairly old Dragon kit with some aftermarket decals, Aber etch, and quite a bit of scratch building for the specific bits that make this vehicle unique. Sonderverband 288, Panzer-Grenadier Regiment -- Afrika contained the only Stug's in D.A.K. until Tunisia, so makes for an interesting subject.


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Started with the main drive sprockets - for this specific vehicle one sprocket had been repaired in the field with a plate so this was replicated by chopping out a section, then adding plasticard with Mr Surfacer weld beads


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Return rollers


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Idler wheels


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The next significant change - the Jerry can rack for the back deck. I drew this out, then cut from plastic card with my CraftRobo cutter . Then made up a lot of Italeri Jerrycans, and cast some more to have enough to fill the rack later.


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Next variance - this particular vehicle carried spare torsion bars attached to the hull sides - Plastic rod, with lead foil for the mounting bracket with punched bolt head


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Finished off the suspension - the idler adjustment has been left loose to assist with the tracks later.


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Finally for the moment, the main wheels


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Peter

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Today's work on the Stug - the left hand side - added the Aber Etch for the main structural parts for the fenders - chopped off the guards at both end ready for the Aber replacements later.


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Light and brush guard scratched from wire and soldered together. This is another bit that is unique to this vehicle.


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Finally added the supplementary dust filter, with brackets made from plasticard, and solder for the feed into the main air intakes. Also updated the weld seam using 'green stuff'


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Peter

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More done today


Added the gun mantlet with the extra Aber PE


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Added the lights with the Aber light covers


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Added the fender for the right hand side, and green stuff for the weld seams


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The pair of extra air filters in place


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More weld seams


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Peter

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Today's work on the stug - more etch and LOADS of soldering :-(


First the horn, and an empty light bracket - this vehicle had lost it's right light


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Then soldered up the front and rear fenders, complete with the tiny hinges with 0.3mm rods in the middle - they were fun. Not great at soldering, but getting better the more I do it, so there's that :-)


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But it does give nice details in places where you will never look :-)


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Peter

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More soldering today - first the smoke grenade rack


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The rack for the wooden box on the fender - no idea what this contained :-)


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Then added the tools and spare wheels. Once again the spare wheels were mounted differently, so had to scratch the mounts, and steal some wing nuts from the aber etch.


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Fitted the jerry can rack as well - at that point called it a day. Next weekend start on the Spade Ace tracks... drill, pin, drill, pin - repeat......


Peter

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Today's work - started with the last of the brass - the 8 pieces that make the fire extinguisher and the rear lights


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Then start with the tracks - these are Spade Ace tracks - need a bit of cleanup on some of them and the wire supplied it very hard to work with.


Got 40 links done so far before my thumb got too sore, need about 83 per side, so about half of one side, then the extra links for the front.


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Peter
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Day off today, so got some more done today. Drill, pin, drill, pin repeats..... until there's 91 links ( more than the 83 it should have but I think these links are a tiny bit small).


Slotted the sprocket and idler in place and a couple of the running wheels and tried the track in place - just pinning the last 3 links. I've abandoned the provided wire, and gone to softer copper wire which is easier to work with apart from when you bend it.


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That's it for now, as i'm suffering a bit with Fruil thumb ( even though they are spade ace tracks :-) )


Peter

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Today's track tickling - finally finished !


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This side has 90 links as opposed to 91 on the other side, but sounds about right. Once again, last pin just slotted in place


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However there's a sting in the tail - the spare links carried at the front - oh well, drill, pin - well you get the story


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Cleaned the tracks with Vinegar, then dunked in UMP Burnishing fluid - only took about 5 mins to get them like this. Then ran 1200 grit wet and dry along the track pads.


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Then finally get some paint on - Alclad Black primer


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Well that's the big Hump on this build over - now the fun bit, painting and weathering.


Peter



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Today's work started by putting the decals on ( all 3 of them :-) )


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Started planning on where to fit the extra stowage - something like this eventually


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Painted the rubber on the wheels


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Taking advantage of the fact that it's glossy and waiting for the rubber paint to dry , did a pin wash to pick out the details


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Sprayed some Washable Dust and Sand under the fenders to give a base for later


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Then using a wet brush, merge all the dust / sand together


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Then put the wheels and tracks in place


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Sprayed a base coat of German Grey over all the Jerry cans and one stowage box


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Finally for the day, sprayed a coat of Matt varnish over everything


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Peter

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