Military Model Scene

Title: Stug III Assault Gun
Author: Dennis Oliver
Publisher: Pen & Sword
ISBN: 978-1-39903-388-3

German Army, Waffen-SS and Luftwaffe Units, Eastern Front 1944, this brings us to number 44 in the TankCraft series from Pen & Sword. A 64-page soft-cover book, and another from author Dennis Oliver in this popular series.
After a brief introduction to set the scene, and a useful full-page map illustrating the Eastern Front, it moves into a brief history summary of no less than 104 Army units, 7 SS units and lastly 4 Luftwaffe units, which were all equipped with the Stug III, and primarily in 1944, with the Ausf G version. Then we get to 12 pages of high quality colour profiles (with 2 different vehicles illustrated on each page) before reaching the usual set of Model Showcases. There are 3 beautiful builds, first with a Dragon Models 1/35 Ausf G with zimmerit by Kevin Potts, then a Tamiya 1/48 StuH 42 by Joseph Youngerman and rounded off with a 1/30 Nichimo by Masahiro Doi. All expertly done and very well presented here. Then a 7-page section listing model products, including kits from many manufacturers and in a mix of scales, along with some of the aftermarket sets of photo etch brass detailing from more manufacturers. This all leads us into the closing section illustrating the many Technical Details and Modifications that were introduced during the service life of the Stug, and some of the detail differences from the different manufacturers of the Stug, such as Alkett, MIAIG and MAN. These little differences are also illustrated and what to look for being highlighted. The final pages carry a table of the Stug III Production between December 1942 and December 1944, then 3-pages of unit structures, the last of which features Panzer-Abteilung (Funklenk) 302 in the summer of 1944, the unit which operated the Borgeward demolition vehicle alongside their Stug IIIs.
I am a long time fan of the TankCraft series, and this is another very nice addition to the range. Primarily aimed at modellers, who will love the colour profiles, the inspiration from the Showcase builds and the wide range of Stug III related products that are on the market. The fine detail contained in the final section covering Technical Details and Modifications will also help in choosing just what level of detail to include in your latest Stug model. Very much one to recommend.
Thanks to Pen & Sword for the review copy.

Robin