RC Tanks Australia Forum

Hi all,
Finally have started my Stug E short barrelled version mod, was going to use the HL Stug but soon realised that the G version is completely different to the E, so purchased the HL Tauch panzer III which is the correct base for the E (except front inspection hatches)...
I started on the lower hull first, cut off the side escape hatches and raised the return rollers to correct position (the back roller is the highest sloping down to the front sprocket). Removed the front bolt on armour and filled all gaps including the screw and smoke switch holes. Broke some of the roller bracket pins in the removal so added styrene pins

some pics






























gra

_________________
Gra's Heavy Tank Regiment
HL Tiger 1 - El Mod, Tiger 1, K T Porsche turret, Panzer III & IV, Stug G & E, Panther D,
Matorro KT, Jagdtiger and Sturmtiger, HL Sherman and T - 34, A7V (WIP)
Panzergruppe South Member

The back air vent cover had to be reshaped by removing the water proof bottom plate and sloping the ends in and added some extra metal fins. i left the back bolt on amour on as it was part of the main frame (as the front armour was a @#%& to get off LOL)














more to do to this part later

now the top hull, removed the moulded on tools, bolt on armour, front inspection hatch hinges, then had to resize the inspection hatches to the correct shape, it was easier to cut them out than try and make new lines... next problem was making the hinges work as they are an internal hinge with a "parliament type hinge operation" thanks to Leo 2a6 we found Mato makes a metal set







got some spare hinges






gra

_________________
Gra's Heavy Tank Regiment
HL Tiger 1 - El Mod, Tiger 1, K T Porsche turret, Panzer III & IV, Stug G & E, Panther D,
Matorro KT, Jagdtiger and Sturmtiger, HL Sherman and T - 34, A7V (WIP)
Panzergruppe South Member

how did you removed the hatches? they looked nice cutted

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Garage:

Many Thanks Diverfrost

Paulus I used the tip of the razor saw pictured above with the hinges, it's a great saw the tip is just right to cut through the HL plastic very easily and quick. I also drill a hole in each corner.

Gra

_________________
Gra's Heavy Tank Regiment
HL Tiger 1 - El Mod, Tiger 1, K T Porsche turret, Panzer III & IV, Stug G & E, Panther D,
Matorro KT, Jagdtiger and Sturmtiger, HL Sherman and T - 34, A7V (WIP)
Panzergruppe South Member

bit more done
added bolt heads and extra flange under the back lip
opened up the air intake grills and made the vent chambers
made the smoke grenade box and bracket on the back of Stug, not sure if its the correct size
muffler on with the holding brackets
and just for Diverfrost opened up the crank handle cover plate latch on the back plate.








































cheers
gra

_________________
Gra's Heavy Tank Regiment
HL Tiger 1 - El Mod, Tiger 1, K T Porsche turret, Panzer III & IV, Stug G & E, Panther D,
Matorro KT, Jagdtiger and Sturmtiger, HL Sherman and T - 34, A7V (WIP)
Panzergruppe South Member

Hi All
Done a bit more to the Stug, cut of the right side visor's hatch and filled in, have started on the citadel frame.
Waiting for the recoil unit so i can install the pivot arms and gun and then can finish the top. Also working out how best to set up so it will be easy to pull the two hulls apart.
















cheers
gra

_________________
Gra's Heavy Tank Regiment
HL Tiger 1 - El Mod, Tiger 1, K T Porsche turret, Panzer III & IV, Stug G & E, Panther D,
Matorro KT, Jagdtiger and Sturmtiger, HL Sherman and T - 34, A7V (WIP)
Panzergruppe South Member

Hi All
next update, progress was a bit slow due to working on the gun and mantlet and fitting the recoil unit and then installing the roof and hatches, but powering on again and its now really starting to take shape

First lot of pics installing the recoil unit and modifying the Panzer III gun and mantlet and making the barrel recoil
if you are using the Taigen recoil unit and El Mod u must remove the flash micro switch as the sound and flash are triggered by El Mod itself. Also made the side bins.


and unplug these wires


recoil unit fitted


cut down mantlet and tube to insert for the barrel to slide in


shortened barrel


inserted tube


















i know the gun is not quiet the same as the Stug but i would have had to build it from scratch, i think with a coat of paint it will look ok

now the roof and hatches, there are no grab handles on the early stugs roof hatches and it makes it hard to open them lol
have added the bolt heads, latch locking system (not sure about the gunners hatch as cannot find a pic with one open so just made i the same as the others) and periscopes






















the good thing about the recoil mod is u can make the Panzer III & short barrelled IV recoil with using the existing barrels

cheers
gra

_________________
Gra's Heavy Tank Regiment
HL Tiger 1 - El Mod, Tiger 1, K T Porsche turret, Panzer III & IV, Stug G & E, Panther D,
Matorro KT, Jagdtiger and Sturmtiger, HL Sherman and T - 34, A7V (WIP)
Panzergruppe South Member

Done a bit more, have started on the tools and tool mounts etc...
Usually i stick the styrene tools/mounts on with CA glue, but now i drill hole in the fender and insert a 2mm styrene rod in and then you can glue the mount/tools etc to that with normal hobby glue.
Most of the tools were moulded on had to be cut off and the new tools were around the wrong way to mount eg like the little pins that stick out of the axe or crank handle that stick in the mudguard.
First up i made the tool box stand and jack block holder.












Made the antenna brackets and actually will swivel around so the antenna can be up or laying in the wooden holder, might be a bit bigger than scale but thats the only make them.






just using styrene rod for the aerial that can be pulled out to change if broken

lifting hooks on back deck


more on the tools later
now i thought id try and get some extra lights working, the Notek, and back taillight and convey light.
have cut the parts up and making them slightly bigger to fit Kevin's LED's, i ended up making a new taillight as the LED was too big.








for all you Styrene lovers out there you can get clear styrene sheets , i used them for the lenses on the lights, so have one headlight, Notek, convoy and tail light working now

_________________
Gra's Heavy Tank Regiment
HL Tiger 1 - El Mod, Tiger 1, K T Porsche turret, Panzer III & IV, Stug G & E, Panther D,
Matorro KT, Jagdtiger and Sturmtiger, HL Sherman and T - 34, A7V (WIP)
Panzergruppe South Member

made the headlight protector cover, only made one as the other headlight is battle damaged (cover blown off) i made it so it just slips over the headlight which holds it in place. next is the aerial holder, made brackets out of brass, first time soldering etc... with brass
have to make two sets as the Stug has two aerials













now off the make the other holder

cheers
gra

_________________
Gra's Heavy Tank Regiment
HL Tiger 1 - El Mod, Tiger 1, K T Porsche turret, Panzer III & IV, Stug G & E, Panther D,
Matorro KT, Jagdtiger and Sturmtiger, HL Sherman and T - 34, A7V (WIP)
Panzergruppe South Member

well finally got the second aerial holder made, drilled holes for pins even surprised myself that the aerials line up and can lay in the holder trench
now have to wire up the top hull and the 8 pin connector, bind the rx, have to sort out the return rollers and hopefully add some bearings to the idlers?? and attach the tow ropes on back deck... then paint (i hope)
some pics... nearly finished

_________________
Gra's Heavy Tank Regiment
HL Tiger 1 - El Mod, Tiger 1, K T Porsche turret, Panzer III & IV, Stug G & E, Panther D,
Matorro KT, Jagdtiger and Sturmtiger, HL Sherman and T - 34, A7V (WIP)
Panzergruppe South Member