1:35 WWII German SPG Tiedowns (No Base Plate)

Tie-down loops for German self-propelled guns 1:35, version without the plate

A resin set of tie-down loops for models of German self-propelled guns in 1:35 scale. The loops served on the hull for lashing down a tarpaulin, cargo and equipment, and on injection-molded kits they are often reduced to a molded lump. The box states that this is the version without a base plate, that is the bare loops to be glued onto the plate. The manufacturer does not state which particular vehicle the shapes are derived from.

The real subject

The designation German self-propelled guns of the Second World War covers a wide group of vehicles: the StuG III and StuG IV assault guns, the Marder and Hetzer tank destroyers, the Wespe and Hummel self-propelled howitzers and improvised chassis with captured guns. What they had in common was a gun in a fixed casemate or in an open superstructure without a rotating turret. Crews carried tarpaulins, camouflage nets and personal kit on them and lashed them precisely to the small loops welded around the hull. Their shape differed from one plant to another.

Building and painting tips

Dry fit the parts before gluing, because resin cannot be realigned once the glue has set. Cut the supports off with a scalpel and level the area with a sanding sponge under water. Washing in warm soapy water removes any uncured print resin residue; without it the primer marbles. A dark wash runs into the engraved edges and the hardware stands out.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who detail the hull of a German self-propelled gun
• Builders of vignettes where the model is loaded with tarpaulins and cargo
• More experienced modelers who do not mind very small parts

This is an accessory for modifying a model, not a kit of the vehicle. The parts are supplied unpainted; the base kit, the glue and the paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise. Check the exact contents on the box.