Uncarina Posted July 31, 2023 Share Posted July 31, 2023 (edited) I haven’t been active with any in progress builds for a while now, but I have been busy! Last year I purchased the 1/16th scale Das Werk StuG, a very fun build if you like large armor subjects. But I wanted to build one that would stand out. So I approached my friend Patrick at Sierra Hotel Designs with the idea of a conversion set for a Finnish StuG, the Sturmi. In 1943 Finland purchased 30 StuG’s and made several distinctive conversions, including a large stowage box on the rear deck, moving the spare bogey wheels to the side of the hull, adding extra armor over the drivers vision block, and appropriating a Soviet machine gun. During the course of the conflicts with the Soviet Union Finland made several other changes as well, and the best source I’ve encountered for information is on this website: http://www.andreaslarka.net/sturmi.html (but see also http://www.missing-lynx.com/library/axis/finland/sturmi1bg_1.html). Patrick was very receptive to this idea and to my amazement subsequently 3-D printed a magnificent conversion set that includes the modifications listed above along with most of the others Finland used. These parts are a drop-in fit, the only modification to the kit is expanding the shield cutout for the machine gun. I designed and printed a mask set to go with these parts, and you can see the sets for yourself (along with my model) at the IPMS Nationals this next week. Sierra Hotel Designs will be located next to the Andy's Hobby Headquarters booth, and be sure to say hello to Mike and Patrick for me. What sets these vehicles apart is their camouflage, a mossy green base color with hard edged earth red and cream colored patterns applied. The second reference linked above takes a detailed look at the colors used. I chose MRP-248 Green FS 34258, MRP-387 Earth Red FS 30117, and a custom mix of Tamiya XF-55 Deck Tan with some grey and white added. As you see from the photos I haven't finished the build, but all of the main camouflage has been painted using MRP masking putty. More on the way! Cheers, Tom Edited July 31, 2023 by Uncarina Alex, josebagasteiz, tucohoward and 12 others 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josebagasteiz Posted July 31, 2023 Share Posted July 31, 2023 The idea itself is very original. I've never seen a Stug like this and I'm glad you undertok this project. Your Stug look great keep it up and now for the weathering!! Martinnfb and Uncarina 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncarina Posted July 31, 2023 Author Share Posted July 31, 2023 Thank you Jose! I’m looking forward to the finishing part. Cheers, Tom Martinnfb 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ray Posted July 31, 2023 Share Posted July 31, 2023 Looking good, Tom! I thought doing the same(have the Surmi article printed out already), but as I have the 1/35th Tamiya Finnish Stug, I thought I would go ahead and build that one and do my 1/16th StuG as a late Eastern Front machine w/ waffle pattern Zimmerit on it. Love that Finnish camo! LSP_K2, Uncarina and Martinnfb 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncarina Posted July 31, 2023 Author Share Posted July 31, 2023 Thanks Ray! It took a bit of a learning curve to use use the masking putty. The easy part is rolling it to make a slim length. The hard part is separating it from any other section of putty you dont want touching. And forget about leaving it on the model for an extended period. With any warmth it oozes into any cracks and fissures, very hard to remove. The best way is applying a dab of putty to the affected area, it comes right out. Glad to get her painted at last! Cheers, Tom Martinnfb 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thierry laurent Posted July 31, 2023 Share Posted July 31, 2023 Interesting project! I guess you know Sturmis quickly got an additional bolted armor plate on the lower sides? Uncarina and Martinnfb 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncarina Posted July 31, 2023 Author Share Posted July 31, 2023 (edited) Yes, that was the second batch. There were other modifications like the saukopf mantlet, different idlers, and cement added to parts of the superstructure. The Andreas Larka gives a lot of good information, and it’s important to select a specific vehicle that has photographic evidence. Cheers, Tom Edited July 31, 2023 by Uncarina Martinnfb and thierry laurent 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncarina Posted July 31, 2023 Author Share Posted July 31, 2023 (edited) Managed to paint the Hakaristi today, the distinctive Finnish national markings. Unlike the German equivalent, the crosses have an offset white outline, making masking tricky. I ended up applying the white over black, suboptimal! A few more touchups then she’s off to the Nationals. Cheers, Tom Edited July 31, 2023 by Uncarina Alex, patricksparks, phasephantomphixer and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncarina Posted July 31, 2023 Author Share Posted July 31, 2023 After some final touch-ups I'm posting final pics before she heads to the IPMS National Convention. Meanwhile I had better get started on those tracks... Cheers, Tom Christoffer Lindelav, Out2gtcha, John1 and 13 others 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ray Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 Is that the AFV Modeller radio setup? Uncarina and Martinnfb 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncarina Posted August 1, 2023 Author Share Posted August 1, 2023 Ray, no all out of the box, some wiring added. Cheers, Tom Martinnfb and LSP_Ray 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinnfb Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 Great choice of subject Tom, I love the detail too. This going to be a stunner. Cheers Martin Uncarina 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncarina Posted August 1, 2023 Author Share Posted August 1, 2023 Thanks Martin! I appreciate it. The Das Werk kit is great out of the box, and I was extremely impressed with Patrick's work, especially the Soviet mg--researching that wasn't easy! Cheers, Tom Martinnfb 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncarina Posted August 8, 2023 Author Share Posted August 8, 2023 Based on feedback from none other than Andreas Larka himself (see first reference listed above), I had to change the Sturmi I was depicting. Identity crisis solved! Cheers, Tom chrish, Juggernut, Dekon and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted August 8, 2023 Share Posted August 8, 2023 So how did it do at the nationals? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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