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“Horst”
Sturmgeschutz, StuG III
Sd. Kfz 142/1 in 1/2 scale

   (Ver 1)



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Well, David has done it again, not content with a 1/3 rd scale Panther he has now produced a 1/2 th scale Sturmgeschutz! I tend to think that progression has got him to the point where he is going to have to seriously consider something in 1/1 scale! As you will see in his article, he has had to tool and jig to produce metal track links - quite ambitious!

The StuG:
Horst was chartered the first week of February of 2000. To charter a vehicle the first thing done is to assign a name. Horst was chosen and then the 1/35th scale model was purchased and his initial design review was undertaken.
The StuG series or Mark III series was chosen because his drivetrain, drive sprocket, track and trailing wheel will make nine different German vehicles, the Mark III, StuG III, Mark IV, StuG IV, Nashorn, Hummel, Brumbar JagdPanzer and Flak-Panzer.
His preliminary design was completed in May of 2000 and his detail tooling and parts were completed at the end of August 2000. Horst was upscaled from a 1/35 plastic scale model and also developed from engineering drawings and photos taken of the real vehicle in the O rdnance Museum located at the U.S. Army proving grounds in Aberdeen, Maryland and the Patton Museum at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

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Final assembly began the first week of September and his electrical and hydraulic system was run up in November of 2000.
Horst’s static and low speed trials were conducted in February of 2001.
Minor changes and improvements in his design and systems were made in preparation for his viewing season starting in March 2001. He was given final paint and his insignias were installed for his service with the 303rd Sturmgeschutz Brigade.


Horst is a scratchbuilt, fully operational, radio controlled, PVC (poly-vinyl-chloride), steel and plywood 1/2 scale reproduction of the German “Sturmgeschutz”, StuG or Mark III tank.

Horst is being tested with a ten horsepower Tecumseh gasoline engine, his final power configuration will be to a 24 horse Honda or 25 horse Kohler gasoline engine that will be coupled to and drives a hydraulic double pump that powers two hydraulic motors through two proportional hydraulic valves.

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  Horst is operated by two industrial 49 Mhz radios. A ten channel radio operates and controls his hydraulic system to make Horst go forward, reverse, left or right. It can also control his throttle. His second radio is used to operate and actuate his special features as well as operate his gun. Two channels are used to raise and lower his gun and two channels are used to actuate his 37mm grenade launcher, which is capable of firing a variety of ammunition and fireworks, or fire his propane cannon, which will be an added feature next. He also will have firework, smoke dischargers, a siren, flashing amber light, headlights and an engine compartment smoke generator. Horst’s dimensions were developed and drawn using computer aided drafting and are retained in a computer-aided-design (CAD) model and was built using that information developed into a formal Manufacturing and Assembly Plan. Horst’s body structure is made from reinforced plywood that represents the actual plate thickness of the real vehicle. His suspension and drive details and components, engine deck and drive system are housed with structural steel. His gun housing is made from PVC (poly-vinyl-chloride); his gun mantel is made from plywood and held together with steel angles.

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  StuGs or Sturmgeschutz were generally configured with a 75mm cannon for an antitank and infantry support role. However, a number were also armed with a 105mm howitzer, StuHaubitze 42. Horst, can be configured with either the 75mm or the 105mm gun. His firing mechanism is connected to a 2” diameter steel tube that houses his barrel. His gun’s 2 1/16 diameter double baffle muzzle brake is made and machined from ductile iron and pinned together. Horst’s drive sprocket assemblies, road wheel axles and suspension details and components are made and machined from heat-treated steel for the required strength.

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  Horst’s exhaust manifold and pipes are made from steel pipe threaded together. His exhaust pipe is protected by sheet aluminum and attached to the body structure. Horst’s tracks (91) per side and spare tracks attached to his rear bulkhead are made and machined from cast heat treated aluminum and held together with steel pins and retaining rings.

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  His road wheel assemblies and tires, (6) per side were made and machined completely from square 2 inch thick PVC plate and spray painted Khaki and his tire black. His return wheel assemblies and tires are made and machined completely from 2-inch thick square excess PVC plate and also spray painted Khaki and his tire black. His trailing wheel is made and machined from heat-treated cast aluminum. Horst’s sides, floor, rear bulkhead, pannier floors, front and rear glacial plates were made using router tools designed to rout each detail from different plywood thicknesses to simulate the real vehicle.

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  Horst’s structural details were developed and made from dimensional drawings and held in place by adhesives and steel angles with fasteners. His other structural details, axle covers, ventilators and operational details were also machined from excess PVC. Horst’s official weight approximately 2,080 pounds.

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  Horst’s color scheme is, (Khaki). Horst is painted with conventional markings and is the 4th vehicle in the 1st platoon of the 1st company serving with the 303rd StuG Brigade, #(114).

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  Horsts’ theme----Entry into service in the spring of 1943, for service in the north Russia campaign, without “zimmerit” antimagnetic coating.

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***David has decided to offer Horst for sale.***

My thanks to David.

 

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