StuG III Ausf.B
Etched Detail Set#LA48002
1:48 Scale
Review by Terry Ashley
Lion
Roar have
released this etched metal and turned metal barrel for the recently released Tamiya 1:48 StuG
III Ausf.B kit
#32507 which consists of a single turned
barrel
with the muzzle drilled out and three small frets of etched parts.
The etched parts have very good quality etching with well defined details and relief on the parts with the usual engraved lines to help with bending. The parts include very fine mesh screens for the side engine intakes and a new antenna rack and the frames for the stowage rack around the engine deck plus the mounting for the fire extinguisher and rear tail light face and a couple of tool clips to add a bit of detail around the vehicle as well as small etched chain to use as required.
The barrel is the same size as the Tamiya kit barrel with the muzzle drilled out to a depth of about 3mm and simply replaces the kit barrel without any alterations.
The Tamiya kit barrel is also a single part with no seam lines and has the muzzle drilled out and to be quite honest there doesn't seem to be any real advantage or increase in detail with the metal barrel.
The standout part of the set is the fine mesh grills which will add greatly to the overall appearance of the kit.
A simple but effective update for the Tamiya kit and again is the standout choice over other barrel sets as it comes with the bonus etched parts or you could look at it as a nice etched set with bonus barrel.
Thanks to my credit card and Hobby Easy for the review set.
Page created 12 March 2005