A look at Orange Hobby set G35-044-98 "Simple System of Space Armor for StuG IV"
/images/stories/img_pictures/richard_marchand_7/stug_simple_armor_20100421_1819306987.jpg
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As stated in the title this is an alternative set of Schurzen aimed at Dragon kit 6520. This system use a single pivot attachment point for the armor plates instead of the usual dual points we are so familiar with.
You get 44 etched parts on three frets, 2 very small resin parts, a length of steel wire, 10 short cylinders and 8 very tiny bolts.
/images/stories/img_pictures/richard_marchand_7/content_20100418_2093526340.jpg
/images/stories/img_pictures/richard_marchand_7/small_parts_20100418_1763868916.jpg
The parts are well defined and have the requisite bent lines on either side where necessary. While most parts are easily bent using pliers the main rails would surely benefit from the use of a dedicated PE tool. It can be done with a steel ruler but you'll need to be patience and take your time if you want good results.
As you can see on the above picture one of the resin part is marred by am air bubble in my set. Nothing serious thought as a tiny drop of super glue should correct this easily. The cylinders are pre-drilled and ready for the lock pins that you'll have to cut from the length of included steel wire.
Finally a few words about the bolts. First thing is "Wow! those darn things are very small". One major problem I saw after looking at the instruction sheet is that the set come with 8 bolts which is enough to attach 3 of the 6 side brackets and I'm not even counting the ones needed to attach the main rails. Basically you would need 32 of them to ensure a solid construction. I contacted Orange Hobby, and after verification on their side they confirmed that 32 bolts should be included. They graciously offered to send me the missing ones.
One little trick if you don't already know about it. Instead of using tweezer and having them flying away never to be seen again you can put a small blob of blu tac on a toothpick and use this to manipulate them.
/images/stories/img_pictures/richard_marchand_7/toothpick_20100506_1096375916.jpg
/images/stories/img_pictures/richard_marchand_7/instruction_sheet_20100418_2046169028.jpg
The instruction sheet is well layered out and easy to follow. As usual it pay to look at it a few time to get a good feeling of the work ahead. Still there is a few things that are worth mentioning. First, while the holes are there (see picture below), it doesn't make mention of using bolts to attach the main rails to the brackets. Another little nitpicking/strange thing is that they want you to put a dent (using a ball point) on part R4 and L4. You then superglue the small resin part. I simply don't see the point here. In fact by doing this you'll make it harder to have a good joint between the parts.
/images/stories/img_pictures/richard_marchand_7/partial_assembly_20100506_1143705544.jpg
Overall this is a very nice set. Modellers from all level should have no trouble as long as they're carefull with those tiny bolts. This alternative set of Schurzen will give a really distinctive look to your StuG IV. One little last thing is that while this set is marked as for the Dragon kit 6520 StuG IV Early, you can easily use it with other kits like the old Dragon StuG IV Early (9038) or Late (6043).
Now let's have a more historical/technical look at the set. If this is not your cup of tea then you can stop reading here and enjoy the set for what it is: A nice and simple upgrade that will be easy to use and give that distinctive look to your StuG IV.
Finding pictures of that particular configuration was not easy. None of the books I have show it and the first few googling session has me empty handed. I contacted Anson from Orange Hobby and he sent me the first two pictures you can see below. I found the third one later while searching the web again for some info.
Looking at the pictures and various search on the Missing-Lynx forums would let me think that those Schurzen made their apparition on "Late" StuG IV. While it may be plausible that the "Early" have been using them there is no photographic evidences. So if you used them on an "Early" be ready to be challenged.
Another problem I see is the actual dimension of the armor plates and their configuration. The armor plates from the set do have all the same width while you can see in pics 2 and 3 that the first and last one are less and more wide respectively. Another thing I noticed is that the middle 3 cylindrical hangers are not at the same height while they are in the set. Finally, and still looking at those 3 middle plates, you can see that the hole in the plates are at the same height from the top of the plates. On the set those holes are at different height so as to move the plates in a position similar to the pictures.
In conclusion, for those who care about historical and technical accuracy this set may fall a little short. But then with WW2 german stuff everything is possible so... All things being said it's up to each modeller to draw their line.
My sincere thanks to Orange Hobby and Tanks & Things for the opportunity to review this set.
/images/stories/img_pictures/richard_marchand_7/real_01_20100418_1471858375.jpg
/images/stories/img_pictures/richard_marchand_7/real_02_20100418_1823726585.jpg
/images/stories/img_pictures/richard_marchand_7/real_03_20100418_1128147609.jpg
/images/stories/img_pictures/richard_marchand_7/stug_simple_armor_20100421_1819306987.jpg
------------------------------------
As stated in the title this is an alternative set of Schurzen aimed at Dragon kit 6520. This system use a single pivot attachment point for the armor plates instead of the usual dual points we are so familiar with.
You get 44 etched parts on three frets, 2 very small resin parts, a length of steel wire, 10 short cylinders and 8 very tiny bolts.
/images/stories/img_pictures/richard_marchand_7/content_20100418_2093526340.jpg
/images/stories/img_pictures/richard_marchand_7/small_parts_20100418_1763868916.jpg
The parts are well defined and have the requisite bent lines on either side where necessary. While most parts are easily bent using pliers the main rails would surely benefit from the use of a dedicated PE tool. It can be done with a steel ruler but you'll need to be patience and take your time if you want good results.
As you can see on the above picture one of the resin part is marred by am air bubble in my set. Nothing serious thought as a tiny drop of super glue should correct this easily. The cylinders are pre-drilled and ready for the lock pins that you'll have to cut from the length of included steel wire.
Finally a few words about the bolts. First thing is "Wow! those darn things are very small". One major problem I saw after looking at the instruction sheet is that the set come with 8 bolts which is enough to attach 3 of the 6 side brackets and I'm not even counting the ones needed to attach the main rails. Basically you would need 32 of them to ensure a solid construction. I contacted Orange Hobby, and after verification on their side they confirmed that 32 bolts should be included. They graciously offered to send me the missing ones.
One little trick if you don't already know about it. Instead of using tweezer and having them flying away never to be seen again you can put a small blob of blu tac on a toothpick and use this to manipulate them.
/images/stories/img_pictures/richard_marchand_7/toothpick_20100506_1096375916.jpg
/images/stories/img_pictures/richard_marchand_7/instruction_sheet_20100418_2046169028.jpg
The instruction sheet is well layered out and easy to follow. As usual it pay to look at it a few time to get a good feeling of the work ahead. Still there is a few things that are worth mentioning. First, while the holes are there (see picture below), it doesn't make mention of using bolts to attach the main rails to the brackets. Another little nitpicking/strange thing is that they want you to put a dent (using a ball point) on part R4 and L4. You then superglue the small resin part. I simply don't see the point here. In fact by doing this you'll make it harder to have a good joint between the parts.
/images/stories/img_pictures/richard_marchand_7/partial_assembly_20100506_1143705544.jpg
Overall this is a very nice set. Modellers from all level should have no trouble as long as they're carefull with those tiny bolts. This alternative set of Schurzen will give a really distinctive look to your StuG IV. One little last thing is that while this set is marked as for the Dragon kit 6520 StuG IV Early, you can easily use it with other kits like the old Dragon StuG IV Early (9038) or Late (6043).
Now let's have a more historical/technical look at the set. If this is not your cup of tea then you can stop reading here and enjoy the set for what it is: A nice and simple upgrade that will be easy to use and give that distinctive look to your StuG IV.
Finding pictures of that particular configuration was not easy. None of the books I have show it and the first few googling session has me empty handed. I contacted Anson from Orange Hobby and he sent me the first two pictures you can see below. I found the third one later while searching the web again for some info.
Looking at the pictures and various search on the Missing-Lynx forums would let me think that those Schurzen made their apparition on "Late" StuG IV. While it may be plausible that the "Early" have been using them there is no photographic evidences. So if you used them on an "Early" be ready to be challenged.
Another problem I see is the actual dimension of the armor plates and their configuration. The armor plates from the set do have all the same width while you can see in pics 2 and 3 that the first and last one are less and more wide respectively. Another thing I noticed is that the middle 3 cylindrical hangers are not at the same height while they are in the set. Finally, and still looking at those 3 middle plates, you can see that the hole in the plates are at the same height from the top of the plates. On the set those holes are at different height so as to move the plates in a position similar to the pictures.
In conclusion, for those who care about historical and technical accuracy this set may fall a little short. But then with WW2 german stuff everything is possible so... All things being said it's up to each modeller to draw their line.
My sincere thanks to Orange Hobby and Tanks & Things for the opportunity to review this set.
/images/stories/img_pictures/richard_marchand_7/real_01_20100418_1471858375.jpg
/images/stories/img_pictures/richard_marchand_7/real_02_20100418_1823726585.jpg
/images/stories/img_pictures/richard_marchand_7/real_03_20100418_1128147609.jpg