which blister is Iron Cross StuG (early) ?

[taran.shannara]

In Iron Cross one can take the StuG (early) assault gun. It has short 7.5cm and long 7.5cm version gun option as shown below. GBX109 is the new box set version:

 

When comparing images I don't see an exact match. What does it map to for the existing StuG blisters?

 

[barca]

The answer is probably two of them:

1. GE121 StuG III D (short 7.5 cm - 7.5 cm StuK 37 L/24) https://www.flamesofwar.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=182
2. GE122 StuG III F/8 (Long 7.5 cm - 7.5 cm StuK 40 L/43) https://www.flamesofwar.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=183

I do not know if the sprue contains two hulls, but it should, since there are noticeable hull differences between the Ausf D and Ausf F models

If there are two hulls, they should be based on the D and F models, but probably not "F/8", since the F/8 model was based on the Pz III Ausf J/L, with increased armor. If the box only includes one hull, I might "do a fingolfen" and mod the hull to be either D or F.

Some Ausf.C models were retro-fitted with the long 7.5 cm: " Field modifications were made to increase the vehicle's survivability, resulting in diversity to already numerous variants; cement plastered on front superstructure, older Ausf.C/D retrofitted with a KwK 40 L/48 gun, Ausf.G mounting Panzer IV cupola, a coaxial MG34 through a hole drilled on a boxy mantlet, et cetera. - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturmgeschütz_III#Further_variants

• I do not have the details on where and when the gun retrofit occurred.

For descriptions of the different variants, see:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturmgeschütz_III
• http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/nazi_germany/Sturmgeschutz-III.php

For photos of various existing StuG's, see http://the.shadock.free.fr/Surviving_StuG_StuH.pdf

For detailed modeling differences, and some 3D views, check out the Dragon scale models:

Ausf.A
    StuG.III Ausf.A http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=CHC9143
    StuG.III Ausf.A MICHAEL WITTMANN, ‘LAH’ (BARBAROSSA 1941) http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=DRA6860
    StuG.III Ausf.A http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=DRA7557

Ausf.B
    StuG.III Ausf.B http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=CHC9132
    StuG.III Ausf.B http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=DRA7559

Ausf. C/D
    Sd.Kfz.142 StuG.III Ausf.C/D http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=DRA6009
    StuG III Ausf C/D: http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=DRA6851
    StuG. III Ausf.C/D w/7.5cm L48 http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=CHC9119
        Dragon’s latest Orange Box combo set includes a 1/35 scale StuG III Ausf.C, although the kit has a notable difference in that it mounts a 7.5cm StuK40 L/48 main armament instead of the original L/24 gun. This longer-barreled gun was retrofitted to some earlier chassis in order to provide a more effective tank destroying capability.

Ausf.E
    StuG.III Ausf.E http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=DRA6688
    StuG. III Ausf.E http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=CHC9106
    StuG.III Ausf.E http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=DRA7562

Ausf.F
    StuG.III Ausf.F http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=DRA7286
    StuG.III F/8 Early Production, Italy: http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=DRA6620
    StuG.III Ausf.F http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=DRR60511
    Sd.Kfz.142/1 StuG.III Ausf.F http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=CHC9101
    StuG.III Ausf.F8 Late Production http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=DRA6644
    StuG.III Ausf.F StuG.Abt.191, Eastern Front 1942 http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=DRR60536
    10.5cm StuH.42 Ausf.E/F - Smart Kit http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=DRA6834

Ausf.G
    StuG III Ausf G: http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=DRA6578
    StuG.III Ausf.G w/Zimmerit, July 1944 Late Production https://www.scalemates.com/kits/168315-dragon-6633-stug-iii-ausf-g-w-zimmerit

NOTE: Dragon models has many more Stug III Ausf.G models

NOTE on the StuG G Platoon (GBX83). This box covers 3 variants of StuG.
Each sprue has TWO hulls: Early StuG III G (StuG III Ausf.G) and Late StuG III G
Kit also includes the gun for StuH42
The StuG G Platoon contains the options to model both the early and late version of the StuG III G with options for the upgunned StuH42 armed with the powerful 10.5cm gun
See https://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=4657

GBX83 StuG G Platoon (Plastic) should be suitable for the next Eastern Front German Handbook for 1943/Kursk

Additional StuG info for North African players: North African campaign
The Sonderverband 288 deployed four StuG Ausf.Ds (short barrel version), which participated in the Gazala campaign with Kampfgruppe Menton. One was lost in Piraeus Harbor, and one captured by British armored cars en route. The two surviving were apparently in action at El Alamein (2nd battle). One was apparently used with the 90th Light Division until the surrender in Tunis. When reinforcements arrived in Tunisia, six F/8s from the 1./Sturmgeschütz-Abt. 242 were sent to serve with the Xth Pz. Div., but only four survived the crossing. These were placed with the Fallschirm Regiment Barenthin and Fallschirm Brigade Ramcke and lost in May 1943. StuGs were a rarity in North Africa, contrary to other theaters of operations. - quoted from http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/nazi_germany/Sturmgeschutz-III.php

[barca]

Notes on Sonderverband 288 and KG Menton
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
German Kampfgruppe In North Africa 1941 through 1943 (Nafziger orders of battle)*
http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/CGSC/CARL/nafziger/943GMXA.pdf

p. 11:
Menton Kampfgruppe: (Another name for the 288th Sonderverband, under the command of
Oberst Menton. Even after becoming the Afrika Panzer Grenadier Regiment, it still
retained that designation.)
  Afrika Panzer Grenadier Regiment (2 bns)
  Corps Artillery (in support only)
  Flak (in support only)

p. 18
Sonderverband 288 (Formed on 7 December 1941. It was renamed the Afrika Panzer
Grenadier Regiment on 31 October 1942. Prior to that redesignation, it had:)
  <other unts listed>
5/288th (mot) Panzerjaeger Company
    1 Self Propelled Platoon (3x sturmgeschütz & 3x LMGs)
    1 (mot) AT Company (2x 50mm, 6x 37mm & 4 LMGs)

* see Nafziger orders of battle collection : finding aid. http://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p4013coll11/id/1277

Notes on Sturmgeschütz-Abt. 242
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
The remaining company(of StuG-Abt 242), 1./StuG-Abt 242, finally deployed to Tunisia in early 1943 with four StuG III AusfF/8 and was attached to the 10. Panzer-Division. It was renamed as Sturmgeschutz-Batterie-90 at the end of April 1943. The battery fought in the final campaigns in Tunisia..." from "M10 Tank Destroyer vs StuG III Assault Gun: Germany 1944" by Steven J. Zaloga