Another StuG III (1/20 scale)

This is a 1/20th scale StuG III.  I was not trying to create a historically correct model, just a model that would be reasonably fun to put together, look decent, and not send you to the hardware store for more pieces to complete.  Hopefully it is somewhat close I could not find even basic drawings with dimensions on them, so just used the general dimensions from descriptions and a lot of pictures/drawings of the various models to create mine.

Everything needed to assemble is printed with the exception of some fast set epoxy.  The track is held together with filament. A couple clamps are nice to keep a couple things aligned as I found plastic parts can warp. The normal print clean-up tools and a 1/4 " round file was good at cleaning up holes to provide smooth rolling.

PLA+ was fine for all parts with the exception of the tires for the road wheels, those are tpu and stretch over the pla wheels. While the model is fairly large the parts are sized to fit on a normal printer I will post a split hull for that.

Optional armor kit

Part List

Lower Hull    - 1

Upper Hull    - 1

Upper Main  - 1

Fender Left  - 1

Fender Right - 1

Wheel        -  24 + 4

Tire            - 24 + 4 (tpu)

WheelSpacer4 - 20 + 2

RWAxle Right  - 6

RWAxle Left    - 6

 Vent Grate      - 2

DriveAxle         - 1

IdlerAxle         - 1

WheelIdler     - 4

WheelSprocket - 4

MainGun        - 1

WheelReturn - 12

ReturnAxle     - 6

SprocketSpacer - 4

MainLid          - 1

Machine Gun - 1

AxlePin           - 22

WheelSpacer1 - 2

WheelSpacer2 - 18

ReturnSpacer - 6

TrackSegments -  12 + 1

Steps

0) If you printed the LowerHull in two pieces glue them together.

1) Insert left and right Road Wheel axles and glue tab into slot on inside of the Lower Hull.   I set the hull on the axles and allowed the weight to keep the axles at the same angle since they can move a little.  Important to make sure it sits level. 12 total

For the steps below it is best to test fit everything before glueing the axlepin in place.  There should be a 4 mm gap on all wheel sets in alignment for the track and line up well with the sprockets.  I carefully glued the wheel stacks together minus the inner spacers and let them set up on a spare axle.  Then put them in the real location after fully set.

2) Place tires over Road Wheels and then on each axle use in this order: 1 WheelSpacer2, 1 Wheel, 1 WheelSpacer4, 1 Wheel.  Secure with AxlePin.  Clean up prints and ensure they spin freely before glueing axle pin into hole on axle.  Ensure faux bolts on wheels face out.

3) Insert the 6 return axles into holes and secure with glue.  Place rollers in this order on Axles.  1 WheelSpacer2, 1 WheelSpacer4, 1 WheelReturn, 1 ReturnSpacer4 , 1 WheelReture.  Secure with AxlePin.  Clean up prints and ensure they spin freely before glueing axle pin into hole on axle.  Ensure faux bolts on wheels face out.

4) Insert DriveAxle in front hole and on the axle on each side place 1 WheelSpacer1, 1 WheelSprocket, 2 SprocketSpacer, 1 WheelSprocket.  Ensure the bevel on the WheelSprocket is face in and the bevel on the Sprocket spacer is faced in to form a groove for the track.  Secure with AxlePin.  Clean up prints and ensure they spin freely before glueing axle pin into hole on axle.

5) Insert IdlerAxle in back hole and on the axle on each side place 2 WheelSpacer4, 1 WheelIdler, 1 WheelSpacer4, 1 WheelIdler hub faces outward.  Secure with AxlePin.  Clean up prints and ensure they spin freely before glueing axle pin into hole on axle.

6) Glue UpperHull to LowerHull.  Tabs should help align it.

7) Glue UpperMain to UpperHull.  A couple tabs should help align as well

8) Glue Fender onto body.  Its a little tight to slide in but aligns with the UpperMain and two tabs on the lower hull.

9) The main lid can attach to UpperMain with a piece of filament.

10) The machine gun just slips into the hole. 

11) The main gun should snap onto the ball on the UpperMain.  You may want to glue it but should stay in place.

12) insert vent grates into vents on UpperMain

13) Add extra wheels on storage spot on back of vehicle.

14) Slip Track around wheel sets and trim to a snug fit and secure with filament.  Each segment will have an extra pin that needs to be removed and can be used if not damaged or replaced with filament.