My Stug conversion

Adrian Harris · Post by **Adrian Harris** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 2:33 pm

I don't know of a supplier but Google "dolls house piano hinge" and you should find something suitable.

Adrian.

colin fairweather · Post by **colin fairweather** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 5:36 pm

hi derek

i use www.hobby.uk.com for all sorts of bit and bobs you will get them their

colin

Derek Attree · Post by **Derek Attree** » Fri Mar 26, 2010 1:47 pm

Hi Guys
After a long break from building the STUG I have been making some
new parts.
The loaders hatch is now finished with working locking bar handle.
I will post some photos over the weekend.
I have also made a sub deck to go under the front deck to support the
the front split hatches that I have started.
I also pocketed the backs of the sprocket hub caps as they did not sit properly as the lock bushes are proud on my build.

Photos to follow

Derek

Derek Attree · Post by **Derek Attree** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 5:37 pm

Hi Guys
Some photos as promised of first the loaders hatches and MG shield.

The front loaders hatch supporting the MG shield

The rear loaders hatch showing the working bar lock.

The hinges are Armorpax and for the rear hatch part scratch built and part Armorpax.
More photos of other parts to follow.

Regards
Derek

Derek Attree · Post by **Derek Attree** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 5:43 pm

Hi Guys
I found that the hub caps for the sprockets did not seat home very well
on my build as the taper lock bush was a bit proud.
so I popped them in the lathe a pocketed out the backs as in the following picture.
Just 2 mm deep on both.

Now they go all the way home nicely.

Regards

Derek

Derek Attree · Post by **Derek Attree** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 6:58 pm

Hi Guys
One of the things that is different on the Stug are the front hatches,
I have made a new front deck some time ago as part of the fighting
compartment.
So I have been able to use the old Steel PzIII one as a jig for the new hatches and the sub deck that gives the lip for the hatches to sit on.
The first picture shows one of the pairs of hatches.

This picture shows the sub deck.

These next two pictures show the lips for the hatches.

The next picture shows a hatch in place.

The hinges for these hatches are going to be difficult to make as they come up from the underside of the deck.
Tim Bowman has been kind enough to send me some photos so I will have a go in the next few days.
I am wondering weather to fabricate out of sections a pair and try to cast
4 pairs I need, or to machine a long section of the right profile and machine the 4 pairs I need from that.
You can see one picture of a stug hinge that Tim posted in Sarah's post on plate thickness.
One other problem is that because the hinges are either side if the hatches
the drive motors look like they will foul the hinge plates under the deck.

Thanks

Derek

Derek Attree · Post by **Derek Attree** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:39 am

Hi Guys
Started to make the Jack block and got some primer in the loaders hatch so a couple of pictures.

The block is made from a bit of Ash which will look just right after a bit of distressing.
I used this wood on my Panther jack block.
Now the loaders hatches you can see things better now the primmer is on.
the next 2 picture show the bar lock works.

The last picture shows the hatches fully closed and the shield down this shows the hinges that Armorpax supplied.The rear one modified by me to
suit this use.

I am planning to do the welds on the roof and front and rear of the fighting compartment over the weekend.

Happy Easter to all

Derek

Derek Attree · Post by **Derek Attree** » Wed Apr 07, 2010 11:40 pm

Guys
I have really started to push things on with this build.
I have been doing the welds and making some other parts.
these are the photos of some of the welds.
First on the gun

More round the mantlet

round the recoil tube base.

Then the fighting compartment.

More to follow

Derek

Derek Attree · Post by **Derek Attree** » Wed Apr 07, 2010 11:44 pm

Then I started on the roof welds.

Then the coupler weld

More on the roof.

Derek

Derek Attree · Post by **Derek Attree** » Thu Apr 08, 2010 9:22 am

Hi Guys
Today the sun has come out in London at last !!!
So I am going to get the red oxide coat on the fighting
compartment and gun.
I will post more pictures of that and other parts I have been
making later.
If any one is interested ?

Derek

Paul Morris · Post by **Paul Morris** » Thu Apr 08, 2010 11:34 am

Hi Derek.
Always plenty of interest in your progress on this model mate it will be a stunner when complete, you are pulling out all the stops and I am picking up some tips for my Jagdtiger.
Regards Paul

Derek Attree · Post by **Derek Attree** » Fri Apr 09, 2010 10:19 pm

Hi Guys
Some more photos as promised first I made a jerry can rack from strip steel
silver soldered to fit on the back of the stowage rails.

Then a rear view showing the exhaust and jerry can holder.

I want the stowage to be packed when it finished so I put some thing on the back to get the idea.

Thanks for looking

Derek

Derek Attree · Post by **Derek Attree** » Fri Apr 09, 2010 10:31 pm

Hi Guys
I have modified the angle rails that join the top to the hull.
The rear rails are now coming to the back as they should and I have
joined the top and bottom rails together so the rear can be lifted off as a unit.
This is needed as the fighting compartment is fixed in place by loads of nuts and bolts. It is a pain to remove this.
I think the pictures show what I mean.

Derek

Tim Bowman · Post by **Tim Bowman** » Fri Apr 09, 2010 10:33 pm

Hi Derek

Truly an amazing piece of work. Excellent work on the MG shield

Thanks for the continual source of inspiration.

Kind regards
Tim

Derek Attree · Post by **Derek Attree** » Fri Apr 09, 2010 10:40 pm

Guys
As I said I wanted to get the red oxide on the fighting compartment
This I have now done and I am very happy.

I hope to get the base coat paint on soon and that is something I look forward to.
New pictures start on page 13.
Derek