Brand new from Abteilung 502: STURMGESCHÜTZ (1940-1945) -- an Introductory Technical Guide

Today we take a (semi) brief look at this brand new book by Abt. 502 (distributed by AK Interactive) on the "development, weaponry and uniforms of the Wehrmacht's assault gun units". As a bit of a StuG expert myself, I figure I can give a decent opinion of this book's accuracy and usefulness.
I find it to be an excellent introductory-level guide on German assault guns with some very important and frequently missed information regarding camouflage patterns. It has my seal of approval.
Not-affiliated link to the book: ak-interactive.com/product/st...
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DISCLAIMER: I am not paid to promote any specific products or brands; I just use the products I find work best for me through my experiences. There is no reason for me to promote a bad product, as then I would not enjoy using it, not like the result on my model, and not be proud of publicizing it in a video. There's also no point in me doing this to keep up relations with a company if the only benefit would be getting more of the same products that I didn't like. I have not used every product out there, but from what I have used, I keep using the products I like, and that's why I use them in my videos. You can use whatever other products you would like to and you can feel that they are better - that is your opinion, and is perfectly fine by me, thus I hope that feeling is reciprocated.

[@Panzermeister36]

Yes I'm still alive. I just have very little motivation for a few months... more content coming soon!

[@parabot2]

Any chance you can do a full paint and weathering technique video on a Afrika Korps vehicle . If you are burned out maybe do a small project , something like a kubelwagen . Thanx for the great channel and all the inspiration .

[@Panzermeister36]

@@parabot2 Hello, I've actually already done a full weathering video for DAK armour: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mojYaZWClMenms0

[@parabot2]

@@Panzermeister36 Thanx Mr Panzer , going to watch it now

[@joelstudemeyer7720]

I bought this book after seeing your review and I really enjoyed it too. Thanks, Joel

[@berra1991]

Great to see you back mate. Looks to be a nice book, I will have to buy it!

[@chrispiazza7487]

Nice to see you again. Happy new year!

[@steviegibson5847]

StuG life! Looks like a fabulous book. I would buy it but I've got about 30 books that I've barely looked at! Nice to see you posting videos again.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks for this. It's really help to see reviews of reference material like this.

[@johnnyb7122]

Nice review! Glad to see you back. Good idea to take a break, so you don’t crash and burn. I’m looking forward to you making a diorama some day.

[@BrailleScale]

Thanks for the great review! Haha and of course the dig at the ol' IPMS judges. Way too much mud, just not possible 😂 but for real, very good info to highlight on camouflage variations we'd never get from kit instructions. Take care!

[@knucklehead7456]

GREAT to see some new content. You GOTTA take a break sometimes or you'll get burnt out. I'm SURE it gets pretty hectic trying to do all this AND go to school

[@tomrea4586]

Good little ref book, picked mine up when it first came out. Those two colour plates on the "F" tropen schemes inspired me to pick up the kits and paints for the estate pile .... For those living in Cda, Sunward Hobbies has a large selection of finishing materials incl Ab502 books.

[@lukeholsten1436]

I didn't choose the Stug life. The Stug life chose me.

[@darronhedges5873]

The front cover cheered me up,i just used T34 Tracks on rear under wheels.I got a dragon stug with Cyber Hobby PE interior and fenders A\M,the fenders were so thick it was impossible to damage them and get them to fit afterwards.

[@Z3kyTw0]

Gotta have this book!!

[@josephthorgersen711]

I really love the weathering technique videos you. I build the Armor from Germany during World War Two, and it’s some much fun. Your videos have helped me out with coming up with weathering ideas. I see that you done Tiger tanks Panther tanks and tank destroyer. I was wondering for you have heard of a tank destroy called the “Elefant” if u could do a weathering video on it

[@samhaggblad3274]

Yes Great Stu(G)ff !!!! Love the jagdpanzers/panzerjägers esp. the StuG III Ausf.G! Fruhe Versionen. It started with the JagdPanther for me though. Great Channel! You have a new sub! Cheers from Sweden!

[@SLICK-GLN]

Love Stugs all variants III and IV

[@HamilkarBarkasScaleModelling]

That looks like a sweet book indeed! I am under the impression that a lot of the books some model brand put out are not quite cutting edge, but this one is good. Proper StuG porn :)

[@jerryvolpini7987]

A book on the Stug? I'm sure you're not the least bit excited 😉 Looks to be a pretty good book, thanks for the review 👍

[@lordlorenzo5835]

Thanks for the review, well done. By any chance did you review the 2 book set from David Doyle?

[@brucethemodelnoob]

Book looks great for those who need an intro-level StuG reference (like me)... hopefully a Pz IV book at some point? 😛

[@ITOWords]

I bought this book a week ago, and would definitely agree with the 'introduction' part of the book's title. It's nicely presented but other books have far superior information about units armed with the stug (eg Sturmgechutz Vor) or its technical development (eg the Feist or Speilberger books about the Stug). The best bits about this title are camoflauge information, some of the photos which come from a private collection and I have not seen published before (although there aren't many), and the information it has about crew uniforms. The most disappointing bit about the book was the poor English translation, which makes it a laborious read.

[@Panzermeister36]

+his1ojd I didn't find the translation to be that bad. Though I guess I read a lot of poorly written technical documents at work every day...maybe I'm used to it :)

[@Heeresbergfuhrer]

What are your “go to” StuG reference books? Thanks in advance. Patrick.

[@derelict7222]

Hey man, love this vid as you're right, it's expensive to get reference books! Also, you're in Canada right? May I ask where you but your lovely Wilder products? I'm in Newfoundland and have a haaard time supplies! Thanks!

[@Panzermeister36]

+Derelict it's very hard to get Wilder products in Canada right now as the only Canadian distributor, Hornet Hobbies, closed down a little while ago. I don't really have a good answer, sorry.

[@MGoudsmits]

I see more and more failures of editors today! you shown some thanks

[@dsmith8984]

It’s a great book as I just picked it up in digital format. Sadly there is one thing that disappoints me about it, there are a lot of pics that span both the left and right pages. On the digital copy on my phone the half pic on the left side is actually on the right side meaning you can’t see the whole pic as intended when you place the phone on its side to view the complete picture. You have to flip the (digital) page to see the other half. 😔

[@SCALEBENCHplasticmodels]

Thanks mate ... :-) ... cheers Make*

[@bucknertarsney7674]

I’m building an early F8. I already painted it in dunkelgelb with XF60 lightened with tamiya deck tan. What Tamiya color should I have used? Thank you. Excellent video as always.

[@Panzermeister36]

+Buckner Tarsney RAL8020 is a tough colour to mix. The AK Real Colour RAL8020 is very good -- that's what I used along with their RAL7027 on the StuG I showed in the video. I'd probably start with XF-57 with a hint of red, or XF-59 lightened somewhat. But i dont ha e any idea of a mix, sorry.

[@bucknertarsney7674]

Panzermeister36 thanks man!

[@bucknertarsney7674]

Panzermeister36 I ended up using some deck tan mixed with a couple drops of dark yellow. Seems to look about right. Now I have an interesting three tone paint job chipped with hair spray. Red oxide, Dunklegelb and Sand Grey. Looks neat, but probably inaccurate. Going to white wash it and see what happens. If I knew how to post a pic of it i would. Thanks for all of your help.

[@AdamMann3D]

How did I miss this video? I assume this book isn't as hard core as the 2 you already had.

[@Panzermeister36]

It's not as hardcore since it's more of a modeller's book than a historian's book. But, I think it's great for anyone looking to build a StuG and I'm especially happy they included so much information on the Tropen schemes.

[@TroubleTwo]

Heyo Panzermeister, Quick question: Where do you get your Wilder weathering oils? I can't seem to find any good websites. Cheers,

[@Panzermeister36]

+TroubleTwo in which country do you live?

[@TroubleTwo]

Panzermeister36 I’m from Canada.

[@philbradley7859]

Evan what was the main difference between stug f and f8 ? was it the lower hull or chassis ? im building takoms f8 late soon

[@Panzermeister36]

Hello Phil, yes the F uses the earlier style of Pz III chassis (Ausfürung E to H) which the F/8 introduced the new chassis along the lines of Pz III Ausfürung J to N. The most notable differences are the rear hull being extended slightly, so the engine deck is longer and the rear armour is more vertical. Additionally, the hull-front tow points are now integrated into hull side extensions, when earlier they were bolted-on components.

[@philbradley7859]

@@Panzermeister36 will you be building the new takom F/8 and doing a KZbin video on it please 🙏

[@clivecro4971]

Hey Evan good to see you back again, hope you are well! Can you help me with a problem that I'm having trying to find the correct Dragon kits for a DAK Tropical scene that I want to build. I need a Stug III and a Panzer IV and I was hoping that you could help with the correct kits for that period. Cheers Evan

[@Panzermeister36]

Hello Clive. As far as I know, only 7 StuG III ever made it to North Africa. Those are 3 StuG III Ausf.D of the special unit "Sonderverband 288", and later 4 StuG III Ausf.F/8 that were just used by the regular army there. For the StuG III Ausf.D, I would recommend the Bronco kit of those vehicles. It is Bronco #CB35117. For the StuG III Ausf.F/8, your only option is the excellent but difficult to find kit by Dragon. It comes with wide winter tracks yes, but also standard tracks as well, so you can do a desert version no problem. It is Dragon #6644. Hope that helps. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask :)

[@clivecro4971]

@@Panzermeister36 Thank you Evan you are the master of all things German armour, I'll check them out now. Can you recommend a Panzer kit for the same desert scene preferably a IV if possible. Thank you once again for your time and reply. 😉👍

[@clivecro4971]

Hi Even What about the Dragon kit #6905 STURMGESCHUTZ III Ausf.D with tropical air filter And also the Dragon Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.D DAK kit #6779.

[@Panzermeister36]

For Panzer IV, I'm not sure about the kits so I can't recommend there. The Dragon StuG III D Tropical kit is very poor. Dragon didn't mold many new parts and require you do do a lot of chopping up with older sprues and stuff. The Bronco kit CB35117 is much better if you're doing an Ausf.D.

[@clivecro4971]

@@Panzermeister36 Thank you so much for the heads up Evan, phew I nearly purchased that for a crazy price! Thank you so much for your help you are a really valuable member of this community Evan and it's great to have you back. 😉👍

[@dinosauralan.9486]

Yes, an interesting subject, but why oh why do they spoil the publication it with pictures spread across two pages ? So why it this ????????

[@pauljames9869]

There are so many great Stug books out there - the 2 volume Peter Müller books Spielburger Panzer tracts I also got this book but it really wasn’t necessary as I have all the above Your welcome

[@SmallSoldier]

Hey Mr. Stug! Really good comprehensive review Evan. It looks like a winner with lots of great photos. So were the tropical Stugs sent straight from Africa? Is that why they retain the tropical camo?

[@Panzermeister36]

They were painted in tropen colours at the factory. Some were meant for North Africa, and were diverted to the eastern front instead (after the DAK's surrender), and most were just meant for Russia as most of Russia was considered a tropical region. None came from Africa...I think the only German vehicles that made it out of North Africa were ones the Allies captured and shipped home.

[@SmallSoldier]

Really... Russia... tropical? Who did the land survey on that one. Thanks for clearing that up. Cheers.

[@Panzermeister36]

@@SmallSoldier well Russia is pretty big. A quite good search shows me that south-western Russia is "semi-arid" and "subtropical". Plus at the time, "Russia" really included Ukraine etc. which are also quite warm during the summer.

[@Duececoupe]

He's alive, he is A.L.I.V.E!!! Where the (put your choice of sentence enhancer here) have you been!? 😉 The mojo have been low here as well for a while, just do a bit here and there, do some research and buy new kits, obviously! 😉😆😂 Good to see you again buddy!

[@ThrowawayModeller]

>That's a lot fo weathering an IPMS judge would say it's inaccurate L O L

[@Chris-ug1hr]

@Panzermeister36 when you say 1/3 application for the camo paint what exactly does that mean?

[@Panzermeister36]

I mean 1/3rd of the tank is covered in that colour, 2/3 of the tank is the other colour.

[@Chris-ug1hr]

@@Panzermeister36 awesome, thanks for the reply. I figured it was something obvious like that but wasn't sure

[@willthorson4543]

So...since you love stugs, will you challenge yourself with trumpeters 1/16 stug 3 when it comes out? Lol...that's the one I'm waiting on.

[@Panzermeister36]

Maybe some day! But I already have a lot of projects on my plate at the moment. 1/16 is massive, but would give easier detailing possibilities. I was excited when I saw it announced :D

[@fidinboca]

It is strange how things happen ... Different ages, different countries, different cultures and we both agree to see stug III as cute and stug IV as ugly. And I think that happens to most modeling fans. But I am sure that anyone outside our hobby would see them as very similar.

[@87mitchb]

why do you like stugs so much?

[@Panzermeister36]

Because they look cool to me, and since there were so many made, there is never a loss of interesting reference photos. StuGs fought on every front from the first day of the war to the last.

[@MikeyRumi180]

meh...seems there is no mention of assault guns in the other services.....as I don't model little tanks and with only 30 pages of essentially the same gray wrap and trousers I will have to pass( I pro model 1/6th, yes we do exist). i had my finger on eBay's buy button But good thing I found this video beforehand..pass!! lol. thanks