Sturmpanzer with crew. 1/35.

[Henk]

My next project is another long term one, which was started many years ago (about 13 or 14 years ago in fact ), and which has survived years of being stored away and moved about..

This is a Sturmpanzer IV Early Version, from HobbyBoss in 1/35 scale. It comes with a full interior (well, apart from the drivers compartment, but that you really can't see ), individual tracklinks, and movable suspension. They used the wheels originally created by Tristan, which have separate (rubber) tyres. Lots of photo-etch too. I added the zimmerit with putty, a bit of a mixed result, but after weathering and camouflage, it will do.
Of course, there'll be figures. I have dug out a crew out of the figures box, and still thinking about adding a few more, and maybe another (staff) vehicle. The base will either be very compact, just containing the vehicle, or bigger, with another vehicle, and some other odds and sods.

The setting is Belgium 1944, the early days of the Battle of the Bulge.

 

[bucsfan21]

Henk, Love the Sturmpanzer ( Grizzly Bear) kit. Well recall Mongram's release in 1/32nd scale with Shep Paine's diorama sheet back in the 70's. Then Tamiya's. Have seen the Hobby Boss kit, but never opened the box and handled the parts, trees. I have a Dragon/DML 1/35th scale Sturmpanzer in my gray army. Look forward to seeing your fine modelling continue and enjoy a nice vignette. You look to be well on your way! Thanks for sharing your work!

Terry Martin-Member of the Atlanta Military Figure Society of Atlanta, GA, USA

 

[Henk]

Henk, Love the Sturmpanzer ( Grizzly Bear) kit. Well recall Mongram's release in 1/32nd scale with Shep Paine's diorama sheet back in the 70's. Then Tamiya's. Have seen the Hobby Boss kit, but never opened the box and handled the parts, trees. I have a Dragon/DML 1/35th scale Sturmpanzer in my gray army. Look forward to seeing your fine modelling continue and enjoy a nice vignette. You look to be well on your way! Thanks for sharing your work!

Terry Martin-Member of the Atlanta Military Figure Society of Atlanta, GA, USA

Thanks Terry. Funny you should mention the DML kit...

I added the Eduard photo-etch Zimmerit to it. It sits patiently on the shelf of shame,...

The interior of the Sturmpanzer. I've left the roof detachable. I added the Zimmerit with a soldering iron, and managed to melt the end of the barrel... but no worries, when in doubt, cover it with a tarp . I've added a cloth muzzle cover with green stuff.

 

[Peter Day]

A great project Henk and great to see a bit of armour. Weathering and and zimmerit looking very nice indeed.

 

[Henk]

Thanks Peter. Armour modeling has been my thing since I was 10 or 11 and given a Tamiya kit of the M8 Howitzer. Having build just about all the Italeri and Matchbox kits my local newspaper shop stocked, I asked for modelkits for my birthday, and the neighbours bought me the Tamiya kit... I remember to this day, my excitement upon realising that it was a Tamiya kit. They asked if it was alright...
I love weathering, and worn (winter) camouflage schemes. But I must admit, I have taken a big liking to figure painting, because its a different technique, more precise, and without the 'get out of jail' option of covering your mishaps with a tarpaulin or some stowage... .