I will start assembling the Tamiya Sturmpanzer IV Brummbär (ref. 35077). Although it is an old kit, it retains the brand’s characteristic assembly: simple, pleasant, and with very good fit, although this one will undergo major modifications to compensate for its advanced age.
History of the Sturmpanzer IV (Sd.Kfz.166)
The Sturmpanzer IV was a German heavy assault gun, produced between 1943 and 1945, with 303 to 316 units built. Its function was to provide devastating firepower in direct support of infantry, especially in urban areas and fortified positions.
Development
In 1942, Albert Speer commissioned a vehicle that combined armoured mobility with the power of a heavy howitzer to accompany the Panzer divisions. Alkett was tasked with creating the Sd.Kfz.166, officially called the Sturmpanzer or Sturmpanzer 43.
The nickname Brummbär (“grumpy bear”) came from the Allies, not the Germans — they informally called it Stupa 43.
Design and Features
Based on the Panzer IV chassis, the vehicle received a closed and heavy combat casemate, housing the 150 mm StuH 43 L/12 gun, developed by Škoda and compatible with the classic SIG 33 ammunition.
- Ammunition: 38 rounds; each projectile + propellant charge weighed up to 46 kg, making loading exhausting.
- Sight: Sfl. Zf. 1st
- Armour:
- 100 mm inclined on the front superstructure. * 100 mm inclined on the front superstructure.
- 40–50 mm on the sides.
- 30 mm at the back
- 10 mm on the roof and bottom
- Secondary armament: MG 34 in the hatch (similar to the StuG III G) and, in the early models, an MP 40 to be used through the side doors.
- Crew: forward driver, using the Tiger I visor (Fahrersehklappe 80).
- Ventilation: natural extraction through armoured openings in the roof.
- Additional protection: Schürzen factory-installed.
The first specimens were excessively heavy, causing suspension and transmission breakages. A structural revision in 1943 reduced the assembly by about 800 kg, resulting in the StuH 43/1 series. Zimmerit was applied until September 1944.
Production and Series
The sources diverge between 306 and 313 total units. Four series were produced:
- Series 1 (April 1943): 60 vehicles – 52 with Ausf. G chassis and 8 with Ausf. E.
- Series 2 (Dec/43–Mar/44): 60 vehicles on Ausf. J.
- Series 3 (Mar–Jun/1944): production at the Vienna Arsenal.
- Series 4 (Jun/44–Mar/45): produced by Deutsche Eisenwerke on Ausf. J, introducing a lighter gun and a fixed MG 34 for close defence.
Variant
- Befehlsturmpanzer IV (command version with additional radios).
- Krupp also developed a prototype of the Jagdpanzer IV with an 8.8 cm Pak 43 L/71 gun.
Employment in Combat
Combat Deployment
The Brummbär mainly served in the battalions.
- Sturmpanzer-Abteilung 216 – initial combat in Kursk, then Italy (Anzio) and withdrawal until surrender in the Po Valley.
- Sturmpanzer-Abteilung 218 – fought in the Warsaw Uprising, then on the Eastern Front until it was destroyed in 1945.
- Sturmpanzer-Abteilung 219 – operated in the Budapest area.
- Independent units were also recorded in Paris and Warsaw.
Normandy – 1944
During the Battle of Normandy, the 217th Sturmpanzer-Abteilung was deployed to support urban combat and the destruction of entrenched positions.
Mechanical problems during the movement caused delays and losses in availability.
- 07/23: 2nd Company attached to the 21st Panzer Division (11 operational vehicles).
- 29/07: Transferred to the 2nd SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler.
- 30/07: 3rd Company transferred to the LXXIV Corps.
- 06–10/08: Vehicles were scattered between the Hitlerjugend and the 89th Infantry Division, suffering heavy losses.
- 08/16: only 17 vehicles still operational.
After escaping the Falaise pocket, the remnants of the battalion still fought in the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), eventually being captured in the Ruhr in 1945.
The Project!
The idea is to depict this Brummbär used by Stu.Pz.Btl. 216 near the Nettuno sector (Anzio/Italy) in January 1944. This vehicle had a base colour of Dunkelgelb (RAL 7028) with interconnected lines as camouflage in chocolate brown (RAL 8017).
Another photo of the same unit. Pela imagem, esse foi baseado em um chassi de Panzer IV Ausf. G. This unit had vehicles using Ausf. chassis ‘H’ também, mas vou me basear no ‘G’, pois tenho mais material de sobra para actualizar esta versão.
About the Tamiya Kit
Strengths:
- Clean and simple assembly, excellent Tamiya engineering.
- Hull and superstructure with good fit.
- Ideal for an OOB project or to add subtle improvements.
Points that can be improved:
- Simpler detailing compared to current standards.
- The armour texture and the interior of the mantlet can be enhanced.
- Does not include Zimmerit.
Sprues
[brummbar_parts_02|1024x576] (brummbar_parts_02 | Ricardo Duarte | Flickr) 
Modifications
- Application of Zimmerit.
- Replacement of old parts with newer pieces that were left over from the Panzer IV and the Mobelwagen, both from Border.
- Esteiras da Border Model.
This project is meant to be fun, with no rush at all, so it’s great to know you guys are along for the ride.
