1:35 STUG. III FAMILY IDLER WHEELS SPECIAL SET, 3 VARIANTS, FOR DRAGON KITS

Idler Wheels of the StuG III Family, Special Set with Three Variants, 1:35 (ELEFANT)

An extended resin set of idler wheels for the assault guns of the StuG III family in 1:35 scale. Against the ordinary sets, which hold a single version of the wheel, there are three variants here according to the manufacturer's figure: the modeler picks the one that matches the machine he is building, and the rest stay in reserve. The set is cast to the parts of the Dragon kits; ELEFANT also carries the idler wheels of this family in versions for other kit manufacturers, so go by whose plastic kit you have when ordering.

What the choice of variants is good for

The idler wheel on this family changed more than once during production: a differently built rim, a different arrangement of the openings, a different form of the hub. A kit, though, usually offers a single shape with which it covers the whole series, and the modeler then either accepts a compromise or hunts for a wheel separately. This set gets around that problem from the other side: instead of locking you into one version, it gives you a choice and leaves the decision to the documentation of the particular machine. For someone building several machines of the StuG III family from different periods, one package covers all three variants.

Working with the castings

The wheels are cast on blocks that have to be cut off with a fine saw; do not break them out, as the thin rim would crack. Level the mating surface on abrasive paper on a flat board, otherwise the wheel will sit askew on its arm and throw the line of the track out. Wash the castings in warm water with detergent before painting, because of the remains of the mold release agent. They are glued with cyanoacrylate; plastic cement does not work on resin. Use respiratory protection when sanding.

Who the set is for

• builders of more than one machine of the StuG III family in 1:35 scale
• modelers who build from period documentation and want a wheel matching a particular vehicle
• those who would otherwise need three separate sets, one for each variant
• more experienced modelers used to resin and cyanoacrylate

This is an accessory to a model, not a kit in its own right. It is supplied unpainted; glue, paints and the base kit are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.