Tamiya 35281 - 1/35 German Sturmgeschutz III Ausf. B Military Model Kit - Detailed WWII StuG III Scale Kit  [35281]

Origins and battlefield role of the StuG III Ausf. B

The German Sturmgeschutz III, commonly called the StuG III, served as a versatile assault gun and later as an effective anti-tank asset. Built on the Panzer III chassis, the design used a fixed L24 75mm short-barreled gun and omitted the turret to lower silhouette and improve protection.

The Ausf. B, produced from June 1940, was the first widely manufactured variant with 250 units completed. It used wide tracks and a Maybach HL 120 TRM rated at 230hp, reaching up to 40km/h. It saw service in the Balkans and during Operation Barbarossa in 1941. Overall production of StuG III types exceeded 10,000 examples during WWII.

Kit features and build highlights

Tamiya's 1/35 kit captures fine interior and exterior detail. The set includes an aluminium gun barrel and a photo-etched mesh cover for the engine intake to boost realism. Inside, careful moulding replicates components like the loading device and the wireless radio.

The chassis uses a swing-arm style suspension, and the kit provides three marking options plus a commander figure for display. Builders can position the cannon raised or lowered after assembly to suit diorama or display setups.