Stug IV In 1/18th Scale

[pickelhaube]

I have been consigned to make a Stug IV and I worked out a trade with Sanford and got one of his kits .
His rendition is closer to a Stug III .
I have spent the last 7 days reconfiguring his kit to a Stug IV .
I changed EVERYTHING ON THE KIT TO MAKE A STUG IV .
EVERYTHING !!!!!!
There is no doubt that it would have been easier to start from scratch .
So that being , I plan to copy mine and sell it .
As you see in the pics it is totally different than Sanford's so it would be safe to say I did not rip his off .
The only thing I did not change is the gun tube and muzzle break.
Which are copies of 21st's Panzer IV

The hog's snout is 3/8ths of an inch wider and 1/4 inch taller with cast texture.

I am still not done and need to add more details to finish.
Probably 2 more days or so.
Saturday morning and it is time to get back on the Hinds.








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Contact me if there is interest.

[Aracula]

Matt changed my kit a lot, and I have no problem with him copying and selling his version. Matt it is just Sanford though got to drop the t lol.

[tmanthegreat]

That looks really nice, Picklehaube!

I’m actually rather tempted by this... I built Aracula’s Stug IV kit a few years ago, and it would be nice to take a crack at one again. A couple questions though:

Is the kit designed to be grafted onto a 21st Century Panzer IV hull/chassis or will you be making the whole thing like Aracula did with his Jagdpanzer IV kit (e.g. upper/lower hull sections, wheels, tracks, etc?)

Is there an estimated cost for the kit?

Lastly, do you have a timeframe as to when we could expect a kit if we order one from you?

Thanks

[Eddy10440]

Matt changed my kit a lot, and I have no problem with him copying and selling his version. Matt it is just Sanford though got to drop the t lol.

Matt changed your kit and changed your name too

[pickelhaube]

Hey Sanford so sorry about that .
I change your name to the correct spelling.

T-Man good questions
1. Right now I was just thinking of making the fighting compartment to fit on the 21st panzer .
I realize that the panzers are getting hard to come by so I WILL be copying the 21st panzer's if the customer needs one.
2. Est. cost $80 kit only $250 for kit and casted panzer.
3. My guess would be about 2 weeks to finish and cast the proto.

I will be working on the proto this 4th of July.

[tmanthegreat]

Picklehaube, that’s great and thanks for the info. I’m really glad to hear the kit will fit the 21st Panzer IV and that you’ll eventually cast the lower hull sections as well.

A couple more questions: Will the model have the periscopes for the driver‘s position? Also will it contain other smaller parts like the MG, pioneer tools, track links, etc?

I’m definitely interested in the upper hull parts as I’ve got a 21st RC Panzer IV I’m willing to sacrifice for the project. I’ll follow up soon with a PM

[pickelhaube]

I am thinking of $80 for the short kit fighting compartment only .
The front glacias and rear deck would be extra

Thoughts ?

[tmanthegreat]

I am thinking of $80 for the short kit fighting compartment only .
The front glacias and rear deck would be extra

Thoughts ?

That works for me, Picklehaube. I know if one is kitbashing with one of the 21st plastic RC Panzer IVs, it’s possible to cut the front glacier and rear deck down to size with a dremel saw, though the front glacis goes further back on the Stug IV compared to the Panzer IV.

[normandy]

I like it Pickel! I'd be in for a Stug IV late version fighting compartment.
I have two of Sanfords kits built and your new late version will just add
to my 21st collection.
Would you offer spare parts? like the commanders hatch or hog's snout?

[pickelhaube]

Hey Normandy,

I am glad you are on board.
I made the copula separate,.
so ,yes I can offer that as well as the hog's snout as well.

I tried a couple of ways to get the hatch to work right but gave up.
So I made it like the panthers .
I will give it one more try to make it operate like the original.

[normandy]

Matthew any updates on this project?

[pickelhaube]

Matthew any updates on this project?

Hey Normandy,
I have had my nose against the grinding stone that is the HIND .
I have about one week ( 5 days) left to finish the next 2 but real work has gotten in the way .

As soon as I get done with the 2 I am working on I will get back to the Stug ( the customer has been waiting patiently) .

I also have SEVERAL FULL BUILDS TO GET OUT.

I can't wait to finish the full Hind builds so I can get on with my life.

[normandy]

I understand Matthew, That chopper is an amazing model!!!

[normandy]

Matthew, stay safe I see Laura now a 4+ hurricane.
You guys are in our prayers.

[pickelhaube]

Matthew, stay safe I see Laura now a 4+ hurricane.
You guys are in our prayers.

It passed us by 200 miles.

We did not get a drop of rain .

We got lucky.

Thanks for the concern .

[GIJosef]

So, is there a Stug III custom out there somewhere with the short gun???

[normandy]

A Sturmgeschütz III in 1:18? I don't think so.
Sanfords kit is a Sturmgeschütz IV version based
on 21st's Panzer IV.
Pickelhaube is going to update it.

Matthew glad you and the family are alright, sorry
for the others in the path.

[pickelhaube]

The Stug IV prototype is done.
Now I have to break it apart and make the molds.

[Aracula]

Looks good Matt.

[tmanthegreat]

The Stug looks fantastic, Matthew! Thanks for posting some updated pics

[normandy]

Nice job Matthew let me know when its ready, got a Panzer IV waiting for conversion.

[tmanthegreat]

Nice job Matthew let me know when its ready, got a Panzer IV waiting for conversion.

Me too!

[pickelhaube]

Hey Guys,

I just finished up with orders for totaling about 55 items !!!!
It seems that the word is out that I have finished the Hind.

Time to get back on this then onto my armor full builds.
I need to do a little tweaking on the stug ( the commander's copula is a little off level )
Then break it down and make the molds.

But I am going out west to visit my son for his 30th birthday

[normandy]

His 30th birthday ? Holy cow that makes you... Kidding
Matthew my son will be 40 at the end of the month. I'm almost
as old as dirt. Congratulations and enjoy the trip!

I'm looking forward to this kit, thanks for the update.

[pickelhaube]

Yep I am a old guy playing with toys.

Hey Guys,

I am back from CA and this weekend I finished ( for real this time ) the proto.

I added panel lines and weld beads to the front of the fighting compartment .
I also added lifting hooks and loops to the front and back.
The rear lifting loop (port side ) is actually behind the spare wheel bin.
Kind of awkward but correct.

I also remade the antenna bases.
I originally made the star bases out of the Panther bases .
These were bigger than the Panzer IV basses .
So, I cut bases off of the P-IV reworked them to fit the rear compartment.
They look much better now.

I am not sure if these tweaks warrant pics .
Let me know before I break it down.

So that is it , I will break down the proto this weekend and hopefully I will get the molds made.

I will make casts of the spare tracks on the starboard side , spare tracks on top of the transmission cover, spare wheel bin , transmission cover and rear deck.