Tamiya Plastic Model Kit

Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. B (1/35) 35281

The German Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. B was a key early-war assault gun, combining low-profile design with formidable firepower. Built on the Panzer III chassis, it replaced the turret with a fixed superstructure mounting a short-barrelled 75mm gun, giving it a squat, powerful silhouette. The Ausf. B was the first version to be produced in significant numbers and proved effective in both offensive and defensive roles during the early stages of WWII.

• 1/35 scale model of the StuG III Ausf. B with accurate early-war detailing.
• Features a short 75mm gun with elevating mechanism.
• Includes aluminum gun barrel and photo-etched mesh engine intake cover.
• Fully detailed interior elements including loading system and wireless radio.
• Swing-arm type suspension and wide early-war tracks.
• Includes on-vehicle tools, stowage, and accessories for realistic finish.
• One commander figure and three marking options included.

History

Conceived as an infantry support weapon, the Sturmgeschütz III entered service in 1940 and was deployed extensively from the Balkans to the Eastern Front. The Ausf. B variant, produced from June 1940, featured wider tracks for improved mobility and retained the short-barrelled 75mm L/24 gun, effective against fortifications and soft targets. Its low silhouette made it harder to detect and target, while its cost-effective design allowed for mass production. During Operation Barbarossa, the StuG III Ausf. B provided valuable fire support for advancing infantry and later adapted to an anti-tank role as Soviet armor improved, laying the groundwork for later, more heavily armed StuG variants.