Sturmgeschütz IV modifcation, drivers compartment

[normandy]

A few members have asked how I lowered the drivers compartment on Aracula's Stug IV kit.
Here are some pictures and an explanation.....

This is the look I wanted.




I lowered the drivers compartment by 3/8 of an inch.


I marked the areas to be cut and then used an x-acto saw.




Mark the drivers compartment and cut the 3 sides.




Once this is done, you will need to cut out the armor just behind the drivers area and add a new piece so the slope of the angle is correct.


Here it is after I cut both sides.


I cut from the inside using the sides as a guide.


Styrene Sheet and Squadron Putty can be found at most hobby shops.




I hope this helps.

[grunt1]

Thanks Normandy. Aracula's kit looks great. Was the compartment just too high in it's stock form or are there multiple heights on different Stugs?

[normandy]

That's a good question Grunt, I'm not sure if there were different heights. In most pictures it seem to be
lower than the kit.
A fantastic kit!!

[YT]

Great work as always Normandy.

[tmanthegreat]

Great work, Normandy! I was studying your initial build pics to figure out how you lowered the driver's compartment... I know when I built mine, I had it all together and painted then realized that the driver's box was way too high. I managed to rip it out, lower it a bit, and re mount and repaint, using a lot of putty to get the sloped angle of the armor to match and blend into the driver's box (well, almost as there is a slight dip).

Overall, though, Aracula made an awesome Stug IV kit and I'm very glad to have one in my collection

[normandy]

Thanks for the comments guys! I had the Stug IV on a to do list and never finished what I had started
and then Aracula made the kit. He did a fantastic job on this and I'm very happy to finally have a 1:18
Sturmgeschütz IV.

[Studly]

Great Work Normandy...Well Done, i love the look of this.

Cheers
Studly

[pickelhaube]

Hey Normandy

I am commandeering your post for a minet .
I have been consigned to make a Stug IV and working out a trade with Stanford got one of his kits .
His rendition is a Stug III .
I have spent the last 7 day reconfiguring kis 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 the I plan to copy mine and sell it .
As you see in the pics it is totally different than Stanford'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.
The hog's snout is 3/8ths of an inch wider and 1/4 inch taller with cast texture.
Which are copies of 21st's Panzer IV

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.