German Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G (Sd.Kfz. 142/1) , Initial Production, Sturmgeschütze Abteilung Grossdeutschland - PRE-ORDER
$299.99

John Jenkins Designs

Item Number: GA-22

German Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G (Sd.Kfz. 142/1) , Initial Production, Sturmgeschütze Abteilung Grossdeutschland, Third Battle of Kharkov, February-March 1943.

The final model of the iconic Sturmgeschütz III was the Ausfürung G, which began production in December 1942. The most noticeable upgrades to the  StuG III Ausf. G was a newly designed commander's cupola that provided all-around viewports and an enlarged armored casemate that extended over the pannier sides of the hull, providing the StuG crew with a more spacious fighting compartment. Early StuG III Ausf. Gs were armed with the powerful long barrelled 7.5cm StuK 40/L48 cannon, capable of knocking out Russian T-34s and KV-1s at long range, and protected by 50mm of armor reinforced with additional 30mm armor plates bolted on top, for a total armor thickness of 80mm that provided excellent protection from the 76.2mm cannon of Russian tanks. Lastly, while in late 1942 Stug IIIs were leaving the assembly firms painted in the second Tropical camouflage scheme, photographic evidence confirms that some of the initial production StuG III Gs left the assembly firms painted in RAL 7021 Dunkelgrau...the iconic dark grey of early war German armor! Some of these grey Stug III Ausf. Gs were issued to none other than the Heer's elite unit, Infanterie-Division (Motorized) Grossdeutschland, when it participated in Generalfeldmarschall Erich von Manstein's brilliant counteroffensive during the Third Battle of Kharkov from February - March 1943. 

While the Third Battle of Kharkov will forever be associated with the SS-Panzerkorps (composed of the 1. SS-Panzergrenadier Division Liebstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, 2. SS-Panzergrenadier Division Das Reich, and 3. SS-Panzergrenadier Division Totenkopf), the critical contributions of Grossdeutschland are often overlooked. However, without Grossdeutschland, Manstein's brilliant victory would not have been possible. Furthermore, the assault guns of Sturmgeschütze Abteilung Grossdeutschland (StuG.Abt. GD), commanded by Knight's Cross holder Hauptmann Peter Frantz, played a crucial role in the division's success.

The JJ Designs initial production StuG III Ausf. G of the Sturmgeschütz Abteilung Grossdeutschland is made to JJD's high standard of technical and historical accuracy including openinng hatches, a detailed fighting compartment interior, and opening engine compartments with detailed interior.

PRE-ORDER PERIOD ENDS  30^th NOVEMBER 2023

PRODUCTION PERIOD WILL START MARCH 2024

ESTIMATED SHIPMENT AVAILABLE JUNE 2024