Very small track links and no option
for vinyl track
Skill Level
Intermediate
MSRP (USD)
$14.00
Background
The Red Army lost a significant number of combat vehicles
and field guns to the German Blitz into the Soviet Union. As
the Soviet industry was being relocated and ramping up production
of replacement armaments, the Red Army made use of whatever
it had in warehouses and in storage to buy time for reconstitution
of its forces.
One commodity that was coming available was a number of captured
German armored vehicles. While some of these vehicles were
serviced and put into action against their former owners, the
obvious shortage of German spare parts and ammunition left
these vehicles ineffective in a relatively short time.
One concept that was put forward was to recycle the chassis
(usually StuG III or Panzer III-based vehicles) and rebuild
them with Soviet-made weapons. One weapon that was available
in numbers at the time was the 122mm M30 howitzer. The marriage
of the Panzer III chassis and the M30 led to the SG-122 self-propelled
gun.
Field testing of the SG-122 identified a number of deficiencies
in the early design, and while incremental improvements were
started, the SG-122 project was cancelled after a limited number
of vehicles were produced in favor of the SU-122.
The Kit
The Military Wheels rendition of the 1/72 SG-122 is molded
in light gray styrene and presented on six parts trees. You
can see in the parts layout drawings that a numer of the drive
sprockets and return roller options are not used in this kit
indicating that there are Panzer III and/or StuG III kits using
several of these same sprue trees.
The kit starts off with the lower hull assembly. The road
wheels, return rollers and drive sprockets all go together
as with most other armor kits.
This kit uses individual track
links and track sections to replicate the track similar to
the ESCI 1/72 armor kits being reissued by Italeri. The straight
lengths of track are a single piece with individual track links
used to build up around the sprockets.
The upper hull is a simple boxed in assembly that houses an
equally simple gun and mantle.
Given that this vehicle was not put into service, there are
no decals to render vehicle markings.
Conclusion
This is a nice little kit that will build into a unique subject
with a little patience and skill.
Check out the low retail price from HobbyTerra.com!
HobbyTerra.com has excellent service to North America and abroad
and they offer these same kits at far more reasonable prices.
Give them a try!
This kit is recommended for experienced modelers.
My sincere thanks to HobbyTerra.com for
this review sample!
