Although the big boys like Panthers and Tigers seem to get all the attention and glory, the Sturmgeschutz could make a credible claim for being one of the most important vehicles of the Second World War. Inexpensive and easily manufactured, the Stug was adaptable and through sheer numbers proved to be a valuable asset for the German military.
Despite this, I have to admit that I haven’t ever built a StuG in my favoured scale of 1:35, so when I saw the latest Takom release of the StuH my interest was aroused, and things were about to change.
The release is one of their “BLITZ” kits, which generally means no interior and a simplified build. I have had nothing but favourable experiences with this range so adding this release to the build schedule was a very easy decision. Affordable with excellent detail as well as etch skirts and metal barrel options - what else could we ask for straight from the box!
The version in the kit is the Sturmhaubitze or StuH. Designed in 1941, the StuH was a version of the StuG assault gun mounted with a 105mm howitzer. Its main role was seen to be that of infantry support, and it was thought that its powerful gun would be the perfect bunker buster. However, by the time the StuH was introduced into service the standard StuG had up-gunned significantly leaving the StuH to provide more of an infantry support role.
In March of 1942, the Alkett production plant mounted an experimental le.FH.18 Howitzer in the chassis of a StuG III Ausf E, and nine vehicles had been readied for combat by October that year. The initial run saw action south of Leningrad in late November.