Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G – Armor Walk Around No. 2

By Tom Cockle

Squadron/Signal Armor Walk Around Series

The Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G became the most-produced German fully tracked armored fighting vehicle of World War II. Originally designed as an infantry-support assault gun built on the Panzer III chassis, the StuG III evolved into one of Germany’s most effective tank destroyers and armored support vehicles. The Ausf. G represented the final and most numerous production version.

Tom Cockle’s Armor Walk Around No. 2 focuses heavily on:

• Fighting-compartment details

• Gun mantlet variations

• Saukopf mantlet configurations

• Suspension and running gear

• Zimmerit application patterns

• Crew equipment and stowage

• Engine deck layouts

• Hull armor modifications

• Schürzen side armor

• Wartime camouflage and markings

The book contains:

• Approximately 80 pages

• Color and black-and-white photography

• Technical illustrations

• Close-up detail imagery

• Museum and restored-vehicle references

The volume is especially valuable for modelers building:

• Tamiya StuG III Ausf. G

• Rye Field Model StuG III

• Takom StuG III kits

• MiniArt StuG III variants

• Dragon StuG III kits

• Eastern Front dioramas

• Late-war German armor projects

Modelers and reviewers consistently praise:

• Excellent suspension photography

• Strong superstructure-detail coverage

• Useful zimmerit references

• Helpful camouflage inspiration

• Excellent gun-detail photography

• Good field-modification references

Armorama specifically noted:

The StuG III Ausf. G itself remains historically important because:

• Over 8,400 Ausf. G vehicles were produced

• It became Germany’s most successful tank destroyer

• It was cheaper and faster to build than turreted tanks

• It served effectively on every major front of WWII

The vehicle also became famous for:

• Low-profile silhouette

• Powerful 7.5cm StuK 40 gun

• Effective ambush tactics

• Schürzen armor skirts

• Saukopf mantlet

• Excellent battlefield survivability

Modelers frequently mention the book’s usefulness for:

• Zimmerit texturing

• Mud and dust weathering

• Winter whitewash finishes

• Spare-track stowage

• Open-hatch detailing

• Late-war camouflage schemes

Collectors also note:

• Original Squadron editions are preferred

• Workshop-used copies often show spine wear

• Earlier printings generally have stronger photo contrast

• Clean copies are increasingly collectible

Recommended Skill Level

Beginner to Advanced WWII armor modelers and historians

Features

• Squadron/Signal Armor Walk Around Series No. 2

• Written by Tom Cockle

• Approximately 80-page format

• Extensive close-up photography

• Fighting-compartment references

• Suspension and armor-detail coverage

• Zimmerit and camouflage references

• Excellent modeling reference

• WWII German assault-gun focus

For many WWII armor modelers, Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G – Armor Walk Around No. 2 remains one of the most practical StuG references because it provides exactly the kinds of close-up suspension, armor, fighting-compartment, and camouflage photographs needed for accurate super-detailing and weathering projects.