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Stug IIIB idler: Help of a grog needed.


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I'm working on a StuG IIIB mod.

But I'm troubled with an important issue.

After a few hours I have came to this:

StugIIIB02.jpg

(The Chasis is just a dummy)

Now I have come to the part where I need to model the rear idler:

stugdrawn_WIELEN.jpg

This model should be used in a Crimea, November 1941 scenario;

which idler should I use for that type of StuG?

Nils

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Originally posted by Vossiewulf:

Armor Geek Factor 10, Mr. Sulu! I heartily approve:)

Since the StuG III Ausf A ceased production in May 1940 after only 30 vehicles, I think you can safely assume the Ausf B pattern;) November of 1941 would suggest Ausf C or D vehicles.

Hey Vossie,

Pictures on the internet show both idles used. I would rather not 'asume' because I would like it to be historical correct.

The C and D types weren't available in the Crimea in 1941 as far as our lib can show us. Von Manstein didn't received that many tracked vehicles for his operation in the South.

Appart from what StuGs, PanzerKampfwagens IIIs and halftracks am we're lucky that we don't have to mod many vehicles for OSF :)

Nils

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According to Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two by Chamberlain and Doyle

" The Ausf B was the 2nd and 3rd Series of the StuG, differing from the previous model by improvements in the drivetrain... Some of the 2nd series of the Ausf B production had a new six-spoke drive sprocket, and an eight-spoke idler,...by the end of 1940, the number of Sturmartillerie batteries had been raise to seven, and four assualt-artillery detachments,...Additional assault-artillery attachments equipped with Ausf B were formed early in 1941. Two Sturmartillerie Abteilung were present in the Balkans campaign and six Abteilung advanced into Russian territoy in June 1941."

Given that there were 30 StuG A's made by the end of May 40', 320 StuG B's made by the end of May 41', and that only some (number unknown) of the 2nd Series of the StuG B received the new six-spoked drive sprocket and eight-spoked idler, I can only guess the the slim majority of all StuG B's would have the new drive-sprocket and idler, this is based on the assumption that the each series had an equal number of StuG's produced. Given that the production of the Stug B's was from June 1940 - May 1941 and the previous information I would hazard a guess that there is a strong, but arguable, conclusion that the StuG B's, for your question, had the new six-spoked drive-sprocket and new eight-spoked idler.

Sincerely,

Kromyr

[ July 09, 2004, 10:28 AM: Message edited by: Kromyr ]

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A little off-topic but it may be of use. From the same book I described earlier, of the 50 Ausf C's and 150 Ausf D's produced from May to September 1941, the majority went to replace front-line losses, 105 assault guns for 1941, and some went to form new detachments. They might have been used to replace losses for that time-period as well.

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Thanks Kromyr,

We're getting real close. I knew what drive sprockets were used and already modelled it. My question was what idler were used on the B-types?

The majority of StuG IIIB vehicles indeed show the 6 spoke drive sprocket but the idler comes in 2 variants; 8 spoke or the 8 spoke with disk.

stug_iii_b_02.jpg

Stug14.JPG

Ps. Ah.. I saw you edit your post. I can see you put in the idler type now. Thanks !

[ July 09, 2004, 11:00 AM: Message edited by: eichenbaum ]

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From the statement, "Some of the 2nd series of the Ausf B production had a new six-spoke drive sprocket, and an eight-spoke idler,..." I can only conclude through semantical logic that the word "new" applies to the "eight-spoked idler" via the word "and" but some people, including authors and editors, do not write thinking in those terms. But when I read the statement I believe it means, "a new six-spoke drive sprocket, and a (new) eight-spoke idler,..." Stupid english language! ;)tongue.gif

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:rolleyes: mmmm.... Well both idles used seem to have 8 spokes. It's still confusing. I'll model the one in the black&white photo; idler with 8 spokes and no internal disk. Sure the 'new' one is much easier to model.

I guess nobody will ask me about the idlers if history is that blurry as it appears to be now.

Thanks!

Nils

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Originally posted by Wicky:

Is that a 3D render of your model? Looks good! Anymore shots?

Yes, that's a 3ds max render. I'm creating high polygon models first to create 2d images for the low polygon CM models.

I'll post more shots when I have build more parts.

First; I'm going to work on the idler ;)

Nils

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As promised I'll post more pics this week.

The idler was very easy to model.

Idler_CloseUp.jpg

But when I came to doing the tracks I almost got stuck.

It's difficult not to have some parts at hand.

The track-model is almost done; it still need some refining.

Some round curves and damage should do the trick.

Stug_Unfsd_Side.jpg

<font size="-2">The Chasis is just a dummy!</font>

As you can see something went wrong with placing the tracks on the wheels. I didn't had the time to correct it last night. It toke 12 minutes to render this image.

<font size="-2">[TOOLS: 3ds Max 5.1 - PIV3.2GHz - 1024MB DDR RAM - NVidia Quadro FX500]</font>

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outstanding work.

you really put a lot of energy/time into modelling a piece of metal for just the view of it in a computer game.

ever thought about contacting Battlefront to ask whether they are interested in fully modelled vehicles for the next CM series?

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Originally posted by farmerch:

outstanding work.

you really put a lot of energy/time into modelling a piece of metal for just the view of it in a computer game.

ever thought about contacting Battlefront to ask whether they are interested in fully modelled vehicles for the next CM series?

Thanks smile.gif

Only a few hours I have spent on this. Cutting up photographs or drawing in PhotoShop for common mods almost takes a much time as modelling in 3ds max.

Nils

[ July 15, 2004, 12:19 PM: Message edited by: eichenbaum ]

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