In Box Review of DML Dragon 1/35th Scale
German Stug. IV Late Version, Sd.Kfz. 167 39/45 Series
Kit no. 6043
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
My kit has a copyright date of 1995.
However, the 2000 re-release kit no. 6520 is available at 7 locations overseas or at Mega Hobby for $75.61 or Kin Linx for $67.60 or Sprue Bros for $69.98
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
My kit has a copyright date of 1995.
However, the 2000 re-release kit no. 6520 is available at 7 locations overseas or at Mega Hobby for $75.61 or Kin Linx for $67.60 or Sprue Bros for $69.98
HISTORY:
After the lost battle of Kursk, the strategic role of Germany's armored formations changed drastically. From mid 1943 onward, no major offensive operations were launched. Specialized tank destroyers and assault vehicles were faster and more economic to manufacture. They proved to be more successful in defensive situations so typical for the late phase of WWII.
The most important assault gun was the Stug. III. The later versions, the F/G, were mounted with the powerful 7.5 cm Stug 40 (L/43 resp. L/48) gun which was possible to destroy any enemy tank a long ranges.
Thus the Stug's were used in the anti-tank role and their low silhouette and good armor protection made them ideal anti-tank weapons.
In 1943, the main manufacturer of the Stug. III, Alkett of Berlin, was hit by a massive air-strike and production of the assault tanks came to a halt. So it was decided to use the PzKw IV chassis as an expedient and in December 1943 the first prototype was finished, followed immediately by series production.
The new vehicle mounted the same casemate and gun of the Stug. III and was designated Stug. IV. Since the driver's position was farther to the front, an armored bay had to be added.
Like the Stug. III, the Stug. IV was a most successful design. These potent tank hunters were produced and used till the end of the war.
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
Produced Late: 1943–1945
No. built: 1,108 +31 conversions
Weight: 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: V12-cylinder Maybach HL 120 TRM of 300 PS (296 hp, 220.6 kW)
Power/weight: 13 PS (9.6 kW) / tonne
Transmission: ZF SSG 76 Aphon
Suspension: Leaf spring
Ground clearance: 40.0 cm (16 inches)
Fuel capacity: 430 liter
Operational range: 210 km (130 mi)
Speed: 40 km/h (25 mph)
After the lost battle of Kursk, the strategic role of Germany's armored formations changed drastically. From mid 1943 onward, no major offensive operations were launched. Specialized tank destroyers and assault vehicles were faster and more economic to manufacture. They proved to be more successful in defensive situations so typical for the late phase of WWII.
The most important assault gun was the Stug. III. The later versions, the F/G, were mounted with the powerful 7.5 cm Stug 40 (L/43 resp. L/48) gun which was possible to destroy any enemy tank a long ranges.
Thus the Stug's were used in the anti-tank role and their low silhouette and good armor protection made them ideal anti-tank weapons.
In 1943, the main manufacturer of the Stug. III, Alkett of Berlin, was hit by a massive air-strike and production of the assault tanks came to a halt. So it was decided to use the PzKw IV chassis as an expedient and in December 1943 the first prototype was finished, followed immediately by series production.
The new vehicle mounted the same casemate and gun of the Stug. III and was designated Stug. IV. Since the driver's position was farther to the front, an armored bay had to be added.
Like the Stug. III, the Stug. IV was a most successful design. These potent tank hunters were produced and used till the end of the war.
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
Produced Late: 1943–1945
No. built: 1,108 +31 conversions
Weight: 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: V12-cylinder Maybach HL 120 TRM of 300 PS (296 hp, 220.6 kW)
Power/weight: 13 PS (9.6 kW) / tonne
Transmission: ZF SSG 76 Aphon
Suspension: Leaf spring
Ground clearance: 40.0 cm (16 inches)
Fuel capacity: 430 liter
Operational range: 210 km (130 mi)
Speed: 40 km/h (25 mph)
THE KIT:
DML Dragon is a prolific model company based in Honk Kong, China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a blousey shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. The kit is 3" too long.
The box art shows 2 Stug. IV's moving down a road past a stone column and wood gate and a knocked out Soviet KV-1 tank.
Both Stug. IV's are in a base of sand-yellow with dark-green wave pattern. Crewmen are looking out the hatches and German infantrymen are riding on the engine decks. The only markings shown are the German cross on the sides of the hull.
One side panel has 3 color walk-around type photos of the model made up, followed by the copyright date of 1995 and DML's address in Honk Kong, China and KIT MADE IN CHINA.
DML Dragon is a prolific model company based in Honk Kong, China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a blousey shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. The kit is 3" too long.
The box art shows 2 Stug. IV's moving down a road past a stone column and wood gate and a knocked out Soviet KV-1 tank.
Both Stug. IV's are in a base of sand-yellow with dark-green wave pattern. Crewmen are looking out the hatches and German infantrymen are riding on the engine decks. The only markings shown are the German cross on the sides of the hull.
One side panel has 3 color walk-around type photos of the model made up, followed by the copyright date of 1995 and DML's address in Honk Kong, China and KIT MADE IN CHINA.
The other side panel has a one-paragraph history of the Stug. IV in 6 languages, including English, a CAUTION to not use paint of glue near an open flame and if you use them to be in a well ventilated room.
Kit is intended for modelers over 10 years of age and not suitable for children under 3 due to sharp parts in the 6 languages.
Kit is intended for modelers over 10 years of age and not suitable for children under 3 due to sharp parts in the 6 languages.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
This kit holds no less than 21 medium-gray trees (wow! That's a lot!), a loose medium-gray hull tub, PE fret and decal sheet in 6 clear sealed cello bags and the instructions.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 8 1/2" x 13 1/2" page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the box art, over the history of the Stug. IV in the 6 languages.
Page 2 begins with CAUTIONS about the kit, over international assembly symbol explanations and a suggested listing of Gunze Sangyo and Italeri brands of paint colors in the 6 languages, above the first 2 assembly steps.
Page 3 through 6 give a balance of a grand total of 14 assembly steps.
Page 7 is the marking and painting instructions, with one 5-view of the box art scheme (already described above).
Page 8 is the parts trees illustrations over the copyright date of 1995, PRINTED IN HONG KONG and decal application instructions.
Medium-gray letter A tree holds: the hull top, hatch doors, main gun, mantle, engine air-intake, tools etc. (35 parts). Two parts are blued-out in the parts trees illustrations as being excess and not needed to complete the kit.
This kit holds no less than 21 medium-gray trees (wow! That's a lot!), a loose medium-gray hull tub, PE fret and decal sheet in 6 clear sealed cello bags and the instructions.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 8 1/2" x 13 1/2" page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the box art, over the history of the Stug. IV in the 6 languages.
Page 2 begins with CAUTIONS about the kit, over international assembly symbol explanations and a suggested listing of Gunze Sangyo and Italeri brands of paint colors in the 6 languages, above the first 2 assembly steps.
Page 3 through 6 give a balance of a grand total of 14 assembly steps.
Page 7 is the marking and painting instructions, with one 5-view of the box art scheme (already described above).
Page 8 is the parts trees illustrations over the copyright date of 1995, PRINTED IN HONG KONG and decal application instructions.
Medium-gray letter A tree holds: the hull top, hatch doors, main gun, mantle, engine air-intake, tools etc. (35 parts). Two parts are blued-out in the parts trees illustrations as being excess and not needed to complete the kit.
Medium-gray letter B tree holds: the one piece engine deck,glasis plate and fenders, final transfer covers, shovel, jack etc. (34 parts) 17 parts are excess.
There are 2 identical medium-gray letter C trees. They hold: road wheels, idler wheels, drive sprockets, bogies (34 parts each) 4 parts per tree are excess.
These trees are co-joined to letters D, F & G trees.
There are 2 identical medium-gray letter D trees. They hold hub caps (8 parts each)
These trees are co-joined to letters E, F & G trees.
There are 2 identical medium-gray letter E trees. They hold return rollers etc. (16 parts each)
These trees are co-joined to letters D, F & G trees.
There are 2 identical medium-gray letter D trees. They hold hub caps (8 parts each)
These trees are co-joined to letters E, F & G trees.
There are 2 identical medium-gray letter E trees. They hold return rollers etc. (16 parts each)
These trees are co-joined to letters D, F & G trees.
There are 2 identical medium-gray letter F trees. They hold road wheels, a different main gun barrel etc. (46 parts each) A whopping 34 parts are excess.
This tree is co-joined to D, E & G trees.
This tree is co-joined to D, E & G trees.
Medium-gray letter H is the hull tub part.
There are 8 identical black letter I trees. These hold the individual track links. (30 parts per tree)
Medium-gray letter J tree holds: tools, side skirts supports etc. (43 parts)
MA is the steel PE fret for various hull fittings. (10 parts)
The decal sheet completes the kit.
There is no interior detail other than the main gun breech. No crew figures.
Nice exterior detail.
Nice exterior detail.
Recommended.