Ukraine’s MiniArt – famous for its highly detailed 1/35 military kits – has now made its 1/72 armour debut with a StuG III Ausf. G, as CHRIS CLIFFORD discovers.
Standards in 1/72 military kits have improved exponentially in recent years, thanks to items from the likes of Dragon, Revell, IBG and other manufacturers. Now, though, MiniArt has entered the arena for the first time, courtesy of its StuG III Ausf. G Feb 1943 Alkett Production (item 72101). Known for having relatively high parts counts in its 1/35 kits, the trait is fully evident here too, there being ten styrene runners, a small photo-etched (PE) brass fret, and link-and-length tracks.
It's clear from the outset that the design quality is outstanding. Wheel mounts are moulded integrally on the lower hull sides, as are the drive sprocket gear covers. There’s engraved and raised detail on the hull underside part, and hatch/hinge detail on the glacis is delicately reproduced. A multi-part main gun is provided, although it stops short of having full breech features… but does benefit from a splendid one-piece muzzle brake with all the necessary openings.
Above: Construction of MiniArt’s 1/72 StuG is eased by the wheel and drive-sprocket mounts being moulded integrally…
