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Offline pandknz

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  • Australia
Finnish Stug III Ausf G Project
« 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.
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Offline LukeZ

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Re: Finnish Stug III Ausf G Project
« Reply #1 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.
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Offline johnnyvd

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Re: Finnish Stug III Ausf G Project
« Reply #2 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!
* E-75 / E-100 PAK44 "monster" - in progress
* Sturmjagdtiger PAK44 - in progress
* pz.kpfw KV-2 754(r) - in progress
* T-34 88mm "Kurland Tiger" - in progress

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Offline pandknz

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Re: Finnish Stug III Ausf G Project
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2018, 07:20:34 PM »
Thanks Guys

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

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Re: Finnish Stug III Ausf G Project
« Reply #4 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?
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Offline LukeZ

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Re: Finnish Stug III Ausf G Project
« Reply #5 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 or RCTank.de 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.
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Offline pandknz

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Re: Finnish Stug III Ausf G Project
« Reply #6 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 :)
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