In Box Review of Revell-Italeri 1/35th Scale German Invasion Tank
Stug. IV Assault Gun w/Soldier Figure
Kit no. H-2118
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1977
Out of production.
I paid $4.00 for this kit at a local shop, years ago, that went out of business.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1977
Out of production.
I paid $4.00 for this kit at a local shop, years ago, that went out of business.
HISTORY:
The Sturmgeschütz IV (StuG IV) (Sd.Kfz. 167) was a German assault gun variant of the Panzer IV used in the latter part of the Second World War. It was identical in role and concept to the highly successful StuG III assault gun variant of the Panzer III. Both StuG models were given an exclusively tank destroyer role in German formations and tactical planning in the last two years of the war, greatly augmenting the capability of the dwindling tank force available to the German army on the Eastern and Western fronts.
The Sturmgeschütz IV resulted from Krupp's effort to supply an assault gun. As Krupp did not build Panzerkampfwagen IIIs, they used the Panzerkampfwagen IV chassis in combination with a slightly modified Sturmgeschütz III superstructure.
The first known proposal for a Sturmgeschütz on the Panzer IV chassis is in Krupp drawing number W1468 dated February 1943. This initial drawing unitized the outdated Sturmgeschütz Ausf. F superstructure on a Panzer IV chassis. This proposal had a sloped front superstructure with a combat weight of 28.26 tons. Krupp abandoned it in February 1943 because it was too heavy. Plans for the StuG IV were halted.
During the Führer Conference of 19 to 22 August 1943, after the Battle of Kursk, Hitler had seen reports of the StuG III outperforming the Panzer IV when used in an infantry support role and tactical defense. Convinced that a tank-hunter version would be superior to the tank version, Hitler planned to switch Panzer IV production to "Panzerjäger IV" production as soon as possible. It was to mount the same 7.5 cm L/70 used for the Panther.
Another manufacturer, Vomag built a prototype Panzerjäger IV with 7.5 cm L/48 gun and demonstrated it on 20 October 1943. It was later re-designated as Jagdpanzer IV Ausf. F. As the Jagdpanzer IV was already being produced by Vomag, the StuG IV may not have materialized, had it not been for the major disruption of StuG III production, and the scarce supply of the 7.5 cm L/70 gun designated for the Jagdpanzer IV.
In November 1943, Alkett, the manufacturer of the StuG III, suffered damage due to an Allied bombing raid. They produced 255 StuG III in October 1943, but in December production fell to just 24 vehicles. A conference held from 6 to 7 December 1943, addressed possible solutions to this problem. Hitler welcomed the suggestion of taking the StuG III superstructure and mounting it on a Panzer IV chassis.
The StuG IV could be more quickly manufactured than the Jagdpanzer IV at the time. This restarted the Sturmgeschütz IV project. This time, the superstructure of the StuG III Ausf. G was mounted on a Panzer IV chassis 7, with a box compartment for the driver added. Combat weight was 23000 kg, lighter than the 23900 kg for the StuG III Ausf. G. Between 16 and 17 December 1943, Hitler was shown the StuG IV and approved it. To make up for the large deficit in StuG III production StuG IV production was now given full support.
From December 1943 to May 1945, Krupp built 1,111 StuG IVs, in early 1944 Alkett built 30 Stug IVs using new Panzer IV chassis sent from Nibelungenwerk. While the number is smaller than the 10,000+ StuG III, the StuG IV supplemented and fought along with StuG III during 1944–45, when they were most needed.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Assault gun
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1943–1945
Used by: Nazi Germany
Wars: World War II
Manufacturer: Fried. Krupp Grusonwerk AG, Magdeburg-Buckau, Alkett
Produced: December 1943–1945
No. built: 1,141
Mass: 23 tonnes (50,705 lbs)
Length: 6.7 m (20 ft)
Width : 2.95 m (9 ft 8 in)
Height: 2.20 m (7 ft 3 in)
Crew: 4 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver)
Armor: 10–80 mm (.39–3.14 in)
Main armament: 1 × 7.5 cm StuK 40 L/48 with 63 rounds
Secondary armament: 1 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 with 600 rounds
Engine: Maybach HL120 TRM V-12-cylinder gasoline of 300 PS (296 hp, 220.6 kW)
Power/weight: 13 PS (9.6 kW) / tonne
Transmission: ZF SSG 76 Aphon, with 6 forward gears, 1 reverse
Suspension: Leaf spring
Ground clearance: 40.0 cm (16 inches)
Fuel capacity: 430 liter
Operational range: Road=210 km (130 mi), Cross-country-120 km (75 mi)
Maximum speed: 40 km/h (25 mph)
The Sturmgeschütz IV resulted from Krupp's effort to supply an assault gun. As Krupp did not build Panzerkampfwagen IIIs, they used the Panzerkampfwagen IV chassis in combination with a slightly modified Sturmgeschütz III superstructure.
The first known proposal for a Sturmgeschütz on the Panzer IV chassis is in Krupp drawing number W1468 dated February 1943. This initial drawing unitized the outdated Sturmgeschütz Ausf. F superstructure on a Panzer IV chassis. This proposal had a sloped front superstructure with a combat weight of 28.26 tons. Krupp abandoned it in February 1943 because it was too heavy. Plans for the StuG IV were halted.
During the Führer Conference of 19 to 22 August 1943, after the Battle of Kursk, Hitler had seen reports of the StuG III outperforming the Panzer IV when used in an infantry support role and tactical defense. Convinced that a tank-hunter version would be superior to the tank version, Hitler planned to switch Panzer IV production to "Panzerjäger IV" production as soon as possible. It was to mount the same 7.5 cm L/70 used for the Panther.
Another manufacturer, Vomag built a prototype Panzerjäger IV with 7.5 cm L/48 gun and demonstrated it on 20 October 1943. It was later re-designated as Jagdpanzer IV Ausf. F. As the Jagdpanzer IV was already being produced by Vomag, the StuG IV may not have materialized, had it not been for the major disruption of StuG III production, and the scarce supply of the 7.5 cm L/70 gun designated for the Jagdpanzer IV.
In November 1943, Alkett, the manufacturer of the StuG III, suffered damage due to an Allied bombing raid. They produced 255 StuG III in October 1943, but in December production fell to just 24 vehicles. A conference held from 6 to 7 December 1943, addressed possible solutions to this problem. Hitler welcomed the suggestion of taking the StuG III superstructure and mounting it on a Panzer IV chassis.
The StuG IV could be more quickly manufactured than the Jagdpanzer IV at the time. This restarted the Sturmgeschütz IV project. This time, the superstructure of the StuG III Ausf. G was mounted on a Panzer IV chassis 7, with a box compartment for the driver added. Combat weight was 23000 kg, lighter than the 23900 kg for the StuG III Ausf. G. Between 16 and 17 December 1943, Hitler was shown the StuG IV and approved it. To make up for the large deficit in StuG III production StuG IV production was now given full support.
From December 1943 to May 1945, Krupp built 1,111 StuG IVs, in early 1944 Alkett built 30 Stug IVs using new Panzer IV chassis sent from Nibelungenwerk. While the number is smaller than the 10,000+ StuG III, the StuG IV supplemented and fought along with StuG III during 1944–45, when they were most needed.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Assault gun
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1943–1945
Used by: Nazi Germany
Wars: World War II
Manufacturer: Fried. Krupp Grusonwerk AG, Magdeburg-Buckau, Alkett
Produced: December 1943–1945
No. built: 1,141
Mass: 23 tonnes (50,705 lbs)
Length: 6.7 m (20 ft)
Width : 2.95 m (9 ft 8 in)
Height: 2.20 m (7 ft 3 in)
Crew: 4 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver)
Armor: 10–80 mm (.39–3.14 in)
Main armament: 1 × 7.5 cm StuK 40 L/48 with 63 rounds
Secondary armament: 1 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 with 600 rounds
Engine: Maybach HL120 TRM V-12-cylinder gasoline of 300 PS (296 hp, 220.6 kW)
Power/weight: 13 PS (9.6 kW) / tonne
Transmission: ZF SSG 76 Aphon, with 6 forward gears, 1 reverse
Suspension: Leaf spring
Ground clearance: 40.0 cm (16 inches)
Fuel capacity: 430 liter
Operational range: Road=210 km (130 mi), Cross-country-120 km (75 mi)
Maximum speed: 40 km/h (25 mph)
THE KIT:
Revell and Italeri are both old prolific plastic model kit manufacturers. The make all manner of plastic model kit subjects in the popular scales and partner sometimes to make kits.
Revell is based in Venice, CA. Italeri is based in Italy.
The kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid box.
The cover art shows a color photo of the model made up on a grassy field in a forest base, with a figure standing beside it.
It is in a camouflage of a base of dark-grey with dark-green wave pattern. It has a black and white German cross on its sides.
The infantryman, who is standing beside it, is viewed from his rear. He is dressed in a field-grey uniform and steel helmet and black jack boots. He has full field-gear on his belt and is armed with a Mauser 98K carbine.
On the right side of the cover art there are 2 color photos of the model made up in other patterns of the camouflage. One is shown as it was with the “Hitler-Jugend” SS Division and the other one as it was with the 244th Brigade.
There are decals and camouflage schemes included in the kit to make one of several assault guns.
One side-panel of the box begins with the history of the Stug IV. Followed by 3 color walk-around type photos of the model made up. It says there are decal markings for four different vehicles. Spare bogies, treads & tools. For advanced modelers aged 12 to adult. To assemble this model kit you need plastic model cement. If you wish to paint this model kit the following flat colors are recommended: black, dark-gray, white, brown and olive-green.
Revell and Italeri are both old prolific plastic model kit manufacturers. The make all manner of plastic model kit subjects in the popular scales and partner sometimes to make kits.
Revell is based in Venice, CA. Italeri is based in Italy.
The kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid box.
The cover art shows a color photo of the model made up on a grassy field in a forest base, with a figure standing beside it.
It is in a camouflage of a base of dark-grey with dark-green wave pattern. It has a black and white German cross on its sides.
The infantryman, who is standing beside it, is viewed from his rear. He is dressed in a field-grey uniform and steel helmet and black jack boots. He has full field-gear on his belt and is armed with a Mauser 98K carbine.
On the right side of the cover art there are 2 color photos of the model made up in other patterns of the camouflage. One is shown as it was with the “Hitler-Jugend” SS Division and the other one as it was with the 244th Brigade.
There are decals and camouflage schemes included in the kit to make one of several assault guns.
One side-panel of the box begins with the history of the Stug IV. Followed by 3 color walk-around type photos of the model made up. It says there are decal markings for four different vehicles. Spare bogies, treads & tools. For advanced modelers aged 12 to adult. To assemble this model kit you need plastic model cement. If you wish to paint this model kit the following flat colors are recommended: black, dark-gray, white, brown and olive-green.
The other side-panel of the box shows 5 more color walk-around type photos of the model made up in the box art scheme. It says the model has removable side skirts. Optional position hatches. Highly detailed suspension & flexible treads. Elevating 75mm L48 Stuk 40 gun with “Saukopf” mantlet. One 7.9mm MG34 machine gun & shield.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit holds 3 light-tan parts trees, a dark-grey vinyl tree, the decal sheet, a Master Modelers Club application blank and the instructions.
Nothing is cello bagged.
Trees are not alphabetized and, worst of all, there are NO part number tabs molded next to the parts on them. You have to study the parts trees illustrations very carefully to get the right parts and some parts shown are X’d out. Meaning they are excess and not needed to build the model. Bad moves Revell-Italeri !
The instructions consist of an un-bound booklet of 8 pages, in 8 ½” x 10 ¾” page format.
Page 1 begins with the history and specifications for the Stug IV. Over BEFORE YOU BEGIN instructions and a color listing and their use.
Page 2 is the parts trees illustrations. As said above, the parts are numbered here, but not on the trees themselves.
Page 3 on through to page 7 gives a grand total of 9 assembly steps. The first 8 are for the Stug IV and the 9th one is for the figure.
There is a list of CAUTIONS about the kit in the first assembly step.
Page 8 is the 10th step. It shows 4 markings across the top:
1. Sturmgeschutz Brigade 244 Panzer Army, Obercommando 5, Bastogne, Dec. 1944.
2. Sturmgeschutz Brigade Grossdeutchland Panzer-Grenadier Division “Brandenburg” Oder-Neisse, Jan. 1945.
3. Sturmgeschutz Abteillung 247, 90th Panzer-grenadier Division. XIV Panzer Korps, 10 Army Hgr-C, Casino Feb. 1944.
4. SS Sturmgeschutz Abtiellung 12 “Hitler Jugend”, 1st SS Army Korps, 7th Army Hgr-B, Eifel, Sep. 1944.
The first light-tan tree holds: fenders, Jerry-cans, drive sprockets, final transfer covers tow cable, fuel tank, main gun breech etc. (102 parts) 25 parts are X’d out as being excess and not needed to build the model.
This kit holds 3 light-tan parts trees, a dark-grey vinyl tree, the decal sheet, a Master Modelers Club application blank and the instructions.
Nothing is cello bagged.
Trees are not alphabetized and, worst of all, there are NO part number tabs molded next to the parts on them. You have to study the parts trees illustrations very carefully to get the right parts and some parts shown are X’d out. Meaning they are excess and not needed to build the model. Bad moves Revell-Italeri !
The instructions consist of an un-bound booklet of 8 pages, in 8 ½” x 10 ¾” page format.
Page 1 begins with the history and specifications for the Stug IV. Over BEFORE YOU BEGIN instructions and a color listing and their use.
Page 2 is the parts trees illustrations. As said above, the parts are numbered here, but not on the trees themselves.
Page 3 on through to page 7 gives a grand total of 9 assembly steps. The first 8 are for the Stug IV and the 9th one is for the figure.
There is a list of CAUTIONS about the kit in the first assembly step.
Page 8 is the 10th step. It shows 4 markings across the top:
1. Sturmgeschutz Brigade 244 Panzer Army, Obercommando 5, Bastogne, Dec. 1944.
2. Sturmgeschutz Brigade Grossdeutchland Panzer-Grenadier Division “Brandenburg” Oder-Neisse, Jan. 1945.
3. Sturmgeschutz Abteillung 247, 90th Panzer-grenadier Division. XIV Panzer Korps, 10 Army Hgr-C, Casino Feb. 1944.
4. SS Sturmgeschutz Abtiellung 12 “Hitler Jugend”, 1st SS Army Korps, 7th Army Hgr-B, Eifel, Sep. 1944.
The first light-tan tree holds: fenders, Jerry-cans, drive sprockets, final transfer covers tow cable, fuel tank, main gun breech etc. (102 parts) 25 parts are X’d out as being excess and not needed to build the model.
The second light-tan tree holds: the hull tub and roof etc. (47 parts) All these parts are used.
The third light-tan tree holds: wheels, axles etc. (176 parts) 3 parts are excess.
The dark-grey vinyl tree holds the treads as 2 long runs and 4 short ones.
The decal sheet and the Master Modelers Club membership application card complete the kit contents.
The detail is all of the raised type and very good.
Recommended.
Recommended.