Sturmgeschutz III - don't do this at home, kids!

[Rubicon99]

It’s taking shape 👍👍 and looking good. Can’t wait to see it in action.

[SoCalBobS]

Grandpa, very nice. Do I detect some airbrush shadowing and gunsmoke residue? Well done.

Ok, step two, the scariest for me; airbrushing camouflage. Interesting how colors change depending on lighting. In this case it was partly cloudy. Once it’s done, it’ll be time to repaint the tires.

Weird. When I upload from my ipad the photos show. When I look from my PC, nothing. I'll reload here.


Next steps; decals and weathering.

[SoCalBobS]

Wow Karl! Fantastic. I’ve saved the pictures for reference. So, you bought a 6.0 main board, an IR receiver, an IR emitter, a smoke unit, blue motors and of course a transmitter. Did I get that right? It’s nice to see everything fits. Bravo!

[karltrek]

If you are interested in what it looks like inside the Stug III after my v6.0 upgrade here are some images with notes on the changes.







And the final results. First drive.😃

https://youtu.be/MwdoWEs69kY

[SoCalBobS]

Grandpa, very nice. Do I detect some airbrush shadowing and gunsmoke residue? Well done.

Ok, step two, the scariest for me; airbrushing camouflage. Interesting how colors change depending on lighting. In this case it was partly cloudy. Once it’s done, it’ll be time to repaint the tires.

[Olddowl53]

Hi SolCal,

I popped for a Stug a month ago just because I think is one of the coolest tanks ever. And like you I went thru exactly the same scenario as you. I won't worry about updating to 6.0 or win any IR battles, but she does shoot a hell of a BB. Shot my 40yr son at fifty feet in the back and he said "ouch". Mission Accomplished!!

Grandpa

[SteveRS]

I agree about the small battery compartment. The small Admiral battery fits fine, though.

Anyway, here is step one; repaint the frame.

Nice new color!

[karltrek]

She is looking great SoCalBob!

[SoCalBobS]

I agree about the small battery compartment. The small Admiral battery fits fine, though.

Anyway, here is step one; repaint the frame.

[karltrek]

I am very happy with the 5.3 to 6.0 upgrade I did on my Stug III. Huge difference in performance. Plus I added the new IR capability and Blue motors too. I was disappointed that what looks like a full size battery compartment only holds the small size battery


.

[SoCalBobS]

You will officially be a resource! How did you like the improvements?

[Vaseline]

My dad and I spent this last winter converting about 11 47 MHz Helnglongs, including a StuG III to 6.0 standard. cute little tank.

[SoCalBobS]

Hey guys. Knowing full well that there will be headaches in the future caused by this choice, I've bought a Heng Long Sturmgeschutz III. (Whisper: it has a 5.3 main board.) Why, you ask? Number of reasons. First, HL doesn't make a 6.0 version. I'm told by HL USA that they wouldn't make one until winter, if at all. Given this, existing stock is bound to dwindle. Also, I owned an earlier 49mhz version, long gone. Finally, the 1:76 Airfix kit was the first tank kit I ever bought.

Think of it as a favorite girlfriend. You know she will give you grief, but she's so cool! Someday I will update her to a 6.0, but not in the immediate future. I'm going to use this thread to share my impressions and experiences, for the benefit of anyone contemplating the same. Of course, everyone can chime in.

I just took it out of the box and did the 2 minute test, as recommended by Alpha & company. I got a metal tracked version.

1. The internal gears are zinc; metal but not steel. How well they last will be something to monitor.
2. There are two speeds; slow/realistic, and zoom.
3. Airsoft firing is different.I had to read the manual (sacre bleu!) Hold down the right top button and push the left stick forward.
4. There is no IR receiver or emitter.
5. There are two sounds. That's fine, a Stug III with a turbine sound might be off-putting!
6. The battery is a 2-cell Lithium Ion, just as junky as the 6.0 ones.

That's it for now. In case anyone wants to read the box, I've attached a picture. Also, it comes with two pretty nice crew figures.

History note: it was the second most numerous German WW2 AFV, over 10,000 made. Supposedly credited with 20,000+ kills.