I dont,I build for me,dont enter contests,I work on my modeling skills.I respect accuracy to a point,but if it looks like a Stug i’m happy.
And i definitly enjoy modelers who take it to the next level,but not for me.
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I hope you build it soon and post it here.
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The source I used is D9020/48, which is a German manual from WW2.
Its title, translated, is : “The radio equipment in Sturmgeschutz Ausf.G”
Illustration “1” is titled “Installing the Fu 5 and Fu 2”.
It shows how to connect and place the radio sets, the power transformers, the antennas, the loudspeaker and the intercom.
According to various German sources, a typical Stug might have only the Fu 5. A platoon leader would usually need the Fu 2 as well. But the allocation of radio gear would depend on what was available. The vehicle had enough radio holder frames that you could put either radio set on either side, to suit the crew’s preferences (e.g. the commander could operate the radio, or delegate that to the loader).
Illustration “2” is titled “Installing the radio sets Fu 8 and Fu 5”. That is relevant to unit commanders only.
The manual has other diagrams showing how to wire up the intercom, how to install the “star” antenna, etc. It’s a good read if you are building a Stug.
You said that you “checked with the RFM kit”. I don’t recommend using RFM as a reference - they make great efforts but they get many things wrong.
Use photos of real vehicles, and manuals where possible. Museum vehicles are often missing a lot of items, but in the case of the Stug, there are some great examples around.
In this case : RFM give you the Fu 8 and Fu 5 radio sets in their Stugs. As I mentioned above, that layout is for unit commanders only.
Now, the Fu 8 requires the “star” antenna but RFM do NOT give you that. So their kit is incorrect out of the box, whether you apply unit commander decals or not.
You wondered if the radios themselves are accurate. That is not a problem. Both of the companies mentioned have quite accurate radio set boxes, since the Fu 5 and Fu 8 are well known, with many photos on the Web.
Finally : you tell me that I’m confusing the Ausf.E with the Ausf.G. But really, I am not confused on that point. I’ve also read D 963/9 which is the radio manual for the Ausf.E.
The fact remains that this Border kit gives you two complete Fu 5.
While it’s physically possible to install them both in the vehicle as depicted, the German organisational structure for armoured units doesn’t make them both useful at the same time. Platoon and company commanders would listen for orders from above but they were not supposed to talk back. Whether a Panzer or a Stug, they were supposed to carry a receiver for that purpose without a transmitter. That’s a single box and it’s called the Fu 2.
David
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Do the radio sets included in the kit have the proper dials and knobs on them? Just asking for a friend.
I would need to see a close-up photo to check everything. But, they look OK as far as I can see.
The Fu 5 is a well-known radio set, and most model companies get the facia correct at least.
David
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Forget about the accuracy of the radios and the tiny bits versus huge issues questions. The fact of the matter is this kit is poorly designed and poorly made. As I worked my way through this kit I kept asking myself weather anyone at Border actually tried to build this kit. Let me provide a few examples and you can decided for yourselves whether you want to buy this kit. My suggestion is, DON’T.
- Step 6 & 7 show a PE part (PE20) that separated the the transfer case (C35) from the hull. Neither the transfer case or the PE have the correct size openings to match up with the hull. The PE part can’t be used at all. And so the question: Has anyone at Border actually built this kit?
-Step 19 - Two transmission support braces (D18 & D25) are shown to be installed at this step. The problem is that the torsion bars, installed at Step 11 are already in place. Those torsion bars pass through holes at each end of those transmission supports so there is now no way to install those supports without cutting away part of each end of those supports. So the question has to be: Has anyone at Border actually built this kit? - Step 41 -There are three radio set to be made in this step each is shown with PE mounting brackets (PE30) at ech end. So that’s three radios each with two brackets for a total of six PE brackets. Guess how many mounting brackets are provided in the kit…Five? How is that even possible! And again the question:Has anyone at Border actually built this kit?
Throughout the part of the build I completed (I stopped mid-way and bought the MiniArt kit) I found myself whittling away at parts to get a proper fit. Many things just don’t go together like the computer graphics images that are passed off as instructions would indicate.
I went for this kit because of the included crew. I’ll put that crew in the MiniArt Stug III G kit when it’s completed. That MiniArt kit has been a pleasure to build.
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Just a follow-up on my previous post about Border’s Stug III G with interior. Below is a link to a Reddit post reviewing the kit. This summarizes some of the shortcomings of this kit better than I did. Be sure to page through the images at the top of the post.
https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/comments/11k7h2l/border_models_135_stug_iii_ausf_g_full_interior/
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This guy really wrestled with it too,but he got it done,and a nice job
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RAK’s post got me thinking. I thought I’d got this kit in the stash in the garage, but it turns out it’s the RFM one. Phew!
I personally think that anyone who ignores or pooh-poohs Dave Bryden’s research is foolish. I’ve always found him very painstaking and careful in his research. Anyone building a Tiger should definitely read his posts. I will take his comments on the radio equipment as read and apply them to the RFM model when I build it. You don’t have to do too much thinking to realise that four radio sets in a Stug is too many, particularly a late vehicle which would not have the same liaison with the infantry (this role was taken over by the 10.5Cm howitzer equipped StuH42), especially if it is substituting for a tank in a Panzerregiment.
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First let me say I’ve been misunderstood if my opening remark came across as a criticism of David Bryden’s research. I tried my hand at scale model wooden ship building a few years back and one of the aspects I enjoyed the most was the detailed and knowledgeable research that went into the many topics involved in that world. I applaud and appreciate David’s work.
My comment was only meant to say that the problems with the Border kit are so numerous and unnecessary that the question of radio correctness falls to a second tier consideration.
A big thank you to Tojo72 for the Britmodeller.com link to the build review of the Border Stug III G. Maddoxx77 is a better man than I, for sure. His experience adds plenty of detail to my brief description of the failings of this kit. His repeated mention of modifications, fiddling and adjusting underscore the poor quality of this kit. And Maddoxx77 mentions something a failed to do in my comment, the instructions are terrible and full of errors. I’ll say it again: Did anyone at Border try to build this kit?
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I do, however, have the Border Mobelwagen. Perhaps I’ll move that to the bottom of the pile then…
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