MiniArt StuG III Post-Build Review

This is a post-build #review of MiniArt 35388 Late Ausf. G StuG III Alkett production. It is one of the latest MiniArt StuG kits released and direct competitor to Rye Field Model Late StuG Ausf. G RFM-5086. Latter one is considered among the best and most accurate representations of the famous tank killer of the Second World War.

[@Panzermeister36]

Great video looking at this kit. Overall it seems to be about as accurate as RFM, but not as well engineered to make the build flawless. For the rear tow bar, I believe those rods are meant to simulate the mounting studs when the tow bar is not fitted. The bar was only fitted to vehicles starting around October 1944 but those studs were starting to be fitted much earlier in 1944. So, perhaps those studs are on the rear plate for other kits MiniArt plans to make where the bar is not fitted. Regardless, you should slice them off and glue the tow bar to the surface of the rear plate as the detail molded onto the tow bar itself -- the studs and nuts -- are the same physical studs that are molded onto the rear plate. So gluing the bar on to those studs as per the instructions makes the studs about 2x as long as they really are.

[@DNModels]

In the meantime I am still waiting for MiniArt's reply on the matter. Thank you PzMr36 for the guidance, the books are indispensable and helped a lot!

[@timothywood4402]

After building 3 of MiniArts Panzer 4 kits I can say they are the most accurate in that they include nearly all small details and are more "in scale" where other kit makers do not or are not. That being said they are let down in the engineering department. Because of the multiple panel construction one needs to clean all mold seems and test fit over and again for a good fit ,if not you will have gaps everywhere. As in this build. These are kits more for experienced modelers. One other issue was flash/molding seems tho every kit has some level of this. I had an issue with a sprue and contacted MiniArt(sent photos) and they sent me new part sprues. In short these are not a quick building type kits. But if given the time will build into an in scale very accurate model.

[@colinmurphy525]

I’m just getting back into modeling this year. While mini art makes some great sets. They are not meant for beginners! The panzer IV kit I just finished. Came missing pages that I had to find online. Then during assembly, ran into numerous issues with the build order as written. Very frustrating at first, but as another commenter said. They relocated from Eastern Ukraine to Poland due to “cough” reasons. All in all I’m going to start smaller for now. Though I’ll be stocking up on more of their products. If only to support the company.

[@zulerodoeht329]

I have completed 2 Mini Art kits, I give myself extra time to complete one of their kits.

[@jamescasaccia9597]

Thank you very much for a great and honest review. I am new to your channel and I am looking forward to the painting portion.

[@michaeldean1289]

Hi mate As much as I love the look of Miniart kits and the way they are portrayed, I still have my reservations! I do have some in my stash I haven’t started on any as yet. Still can’t beat Dragon I reckon. Thanks for sharing your review ❤😊

[@DNModels]

Absolutely with you on that. Dragon are unbeatable and makes me wonder how they came to be such a company. For whatever reason they stood against time and survived difficult periods and strong competition. Still the very best.

[@paulhumphriesz4557]

@@DNModels I agree with you both but Dragon kits are now too expensive! here in the U.K but I have a quiet a few in my stash bought them when they where relatively cheap, but at the time I thought they where the best kits. Good quality and fairly accurate. but now they just seem to be so over priced and its no wonder Miniart are taking over along with RFM , Meng, Takom etc. but I have a few Miniart kits and yes they are not perfect but they are improving despite the part count. but I love a challenge thank you. 👍😎

[@derekbaker3279]

Excellent review (as usual)! I always appreciate your thorough & unfiltered assessment of each kit you review, including this MiniArt StuG III.👍👍 BTW, from what I understand, MiniArt was originally located in a part of Ukraine that is now occupied by the Russians (I think they were in Crimea..). Consequently, MiniArt relocated to western Ukraine and manufactured kits there for a number of years, however they recently relocated to Poland. FWIW, I have a hunch that some of the errors & the uncharacteristic amount of flash can be attributed to MiniArt having to relocate their manufacturing equipment, deal with changes in staff, and perhaps find new sources of materials/equipment. Hopefully MiniArts kits will continue to improve, now that the company is in a much safer & stable environment.

[@paulmillard1130]

Stug crews and engineers would take rubber return wheels from abandoned vehicles for reuse as they ran quieter and with less wear on tracks.Along with optics they were much sort after.I can tell you the Mini art is less finicky than the RFM equivalent.

[@jerryrichards8172]

The only mini art kit I have is one of there M3A5 but with no flash. Flash doesn't really bother me but I don't expect it in modern high-end kits.

[@DNModels]

Me neither. Especially with that amount of detail embedded originally.

[@jerryrichards8172]

The miniart 251 A version looks like a kit I would like to have in my stash along with the early panzer 3 kits with the early running gear.

[@DNModels]

Those are very good. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2i1fYd9hcuEY9k

[@jerryrichards8172]

Has this company made a panzer 2 kit yet ?

[@DNModels]

Nope.

[@larrywisniewski282]

I can't say I expected as much sarcasm from this reviewer as this review delivered. It became impossible for me to differentiate between remarks that were objective vs. those that were malicious or ambivalent in intent. Perhaps this reviewer should stay away from kits this challenging if he values his reputation for fairness. Miniart's obsession with extreme detailing and their 'failure' to avoid the various traps that overengineering leads to are well known among experienced modelers. Novices would normally gravitate to brands such as Tamiya precisely because their kits are masterpieces of engineering done well and provide mainly a pleasurable low stress experience. The retail price of these kits clearly reflect the manufactures' intended target audiences and begs the question of why exactly is this reviewer acting as if he is revealing some terrible dark secret of styrene kit manufacturing. If the reviewer considers new Miniart kits as flawed, he should try some of the older kits from AVF Club or Miniart's well intended but totally aggravating early efforts in 1/35 scale. As we used to say back in the good old days, 'lighten up baby'.

[@tonymoto1188]

He's doing a post-build review which is helpful for those who may not be experienced with Miniart kits and points out some problems to watch out for. As you said yourself, "lighten up baby".

[@captainhurricane5705]

Your review of his review is hardly objective either. How about you lighten up?