Open Panzer

Open Panzer Help & Info => Show and Tell => Topic started by: pandknz on September 16, 2018, 11:17:44 PM

Title: Finnish Stug III Ausf G Project
Post by: pandknz on September 16, 2018, 11:17:44 PM

Hi all

thought I would share my first Tank project here with you all since I'm going to be using OP electronics in it.

Basics:
Heng Long Sturmgesschutz III Ausf.G Sd.Kfz.142/1 Kit #3868-1 (Infrared Version)
Open Panzer TCB (Via Hobbie King)
Open Panzer Scout ESC (building myself with PCB from Seeed/Components fron Digi-Key)
Open Panzer Sound (building myself with PCB from Seeed/Components fron Digi-Key)
Metal tracks, road wheels, new smoker and couple other detail parts from TankArmy.com (Australian supplier)

I found this Kit at a Model Display meeting near where I live and thought I would turn this toy into a Model, then I found Open Panzer ...

I haven't taken any photos of the standard model as I'm sure you have seen a grey Stug before.
I'm doing a Finnish Army version as they are a little different and I found a site with a lot of History and photos of actual tanks http://www.andreaslarka.net/
I airbrushed the Green base coat then painted the Brown and grey by hand (grey looks white but its Camo Grey best match I could get to the photos)

Actual tanks:
I am using this one for my inspiration (not an exact copy) as there are more detailed photos available for this particular one, and a full history on the tank, it racked up 9 confirmed tanks destroyed!
(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb21/pandknz/53101934_zpsax7nyels.jpg)
(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb21/pandknz/53101927_zpse5tya53w.jpg)
(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb21/pandknz/53101928_zpsrjv0hesg.jpg)


Progress with Paint:

(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb21/pandknz/IMG_0670_zpsth8ppcsf.jpg)
(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb21/pandknz/IMG_0671_zps9nx0v7y9.jpg)
(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb21/pandknz/IMG_0678_zpsnftwjgez.jpg)


Next step is the weathering process,

I will do a separate Topic for the electronics in the correct place soon as I'm still waiting for the PCB's to arrive.

Title: Re: Finnish Stug III Ausf G Project
Post by: LukeZ on September 18, 2018, 12:40:57 AM

Very nice! I love all the variants of the PzIII, it is probably my favorite tank of all time. This is a very interesting subject you have chosen, and you are off to a great start with the paint job. I will be watching this build with interest.

Title: Re: Finnish Stug III Ausf G Project
Post by: johnnyvd on September 18, 2018, 08:47:33 AM

Very nice model, and a great reference example you have there! I really like the Finnish Camo scheme!

Title: Re: Finnish Stug III Ausf G Project
Post by: pandknz on September 18, 2018, 07:20:34 PM

Thanks Guys

I like the Finnish scheme and I think its suits the model I have

Title: Re: Finnish Stug III Ausf G Project
Post by: pandknz on September 20, 2018, 04:47:17 AM

Quick question:
I have installed a couple of RC ESC's with the OP TCB just as a prelim set up to get things tested so I know the TCB is 100% and I notice the tracks are quite fast, my experience with RC truck has taught me to use a crawler high turn motor are you guys doing the same or just using different ratio gearbox's?
I was thinking of getting better quality motors and thought if I could get high turn ones of this size (380's) then it would slow it down and give it more torque, your thoughts?

Title: Re: Finnish Stug III Ausf G Project
Post by: LukeZ on September 20, 2018, 01:24:54 PM

In my experience motor selection for these models is not as great as you will find for RC crawlers. The best way to slow down the model is to change the gearbox. I assume you are using the stock Heng Long gearbox.

The highest reduction gearbox I am aware of is the "5:1" gearbox, it used to be made in brass by Asiatam but that has sadly been discontinued, however you can still buy it in steel version from Torro.de (https://www.torro-shop.de/5in1-flat-steel-gearbox-with-a-short-output-shaft) or RCTank.de (https://www.rctank.de/StuG-III-51-PRO-low-steel-gearboxes-360-17500-rpm-motors-short-axles) and maybe other places as well if you look around. I have not had a problem ordering from Germany to the US and I assume it would be just as easy from Australia.

You can also limit the maximum forward/reverse speed in OP Config but of course it is best to get a realistic driving speed with gearbox selection if possible.

Title: Re: Finnish Stug III Ausf G Project
Post by: pandknz on September 28, 2018, 01:44:48 AM

Small update, been busy this week...

Original hull:
(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb21/pandknz/IMG_0689_zpsk1jprova.jpg)

Modified Hull:
(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb21/pandknz/IMG_0692_zpsys4gonds.jpg)

I will fill all the old switch holes and this will waterproof it, not that I intend on going swimming but it will get wet.
I will also upgrade the motor /gerabox mounting lugs as two have cracked and they are way too weak.
Much more room for all the OP gear :)