Academy 1/35 German Sturmgeschütz IV StuG IV Assault Gun Model Kit – ACD13235

Academy 1/35 German Sturmgeschütz IV (StuG IV) WWII Assault Gun Model Kit – ACD13235

Build a distinctive German armored fighting vehicle from World War II with the Academy 1/35 Sturmgeschütz IV (StuG IV) assault gun plastic model kit (ACD13235). Representing the Sd.Kfz. 167, this detailed military armor kit recreates the low-profile, turretless assault gun developed using the proven Panzer IV chassis and armed with a powerful 75mm main gun.

The Academy StuG IV includes approximately 214 plastic parts, realistic suspension components, flexible tracks, detailed road wheels, exterior equipment, and a standing German soldier figure. With its angular superstructure and distinctive long-barreled gun, the finished vehicle makes an excellent addition to a collection of WWII German tanks, assault guns, and military vehicles.

Academy Sturmgeschütz IV Model Kit Features

• 1/35 scale German Sturmgeschütz IV (StuG IV), Sd.Kfz. 167 assault gun
• Historically recognizable Panzer IV-based chassis and low-profile superstructure
• Approximately 214 molded plastic parts
• Detailed long-barreled 75mm StuK 40 L/48 main gun
• Elevating main gun assembly
• Separate road wheels and suspension components
• Flexible one-piece tank tracks
• Exterior details including spare track links and spare wheels
• Equipment and accessories such as tools and headlights
• Side armor and exterior stowage details
• One standing German soldier figure
• Waterslide decals and illustrated assembly instructions
• Approximate hull length of 6 inches
• Unassembled plastic model kit requiring glue and paint

History of the German Sturmgeschütz IV

The Sturmgeschütz IV, commonly abbreviated StuG IV, was a German assault gun developed during the later stages of World War II. It combined the chassis of the Panzerkampfwagen IV with a fixed fighting compartment and a 75mm gun, creating a relatively low-profile armored vehicle suited to infantry support and anti-tank operations.

Germany had already achieved considerable success with the Sturmgeschütz III, an assault gun based on the Panzer III chassis. As wartime production demands increased, the German military sought additional ways to manufacture effective armored vehicles using available industrial capacity and existing components.

The StuG IV entered production in late 1943. Its design incorporated a modified StuG-style superstructure on a Panzer IV chassis, allowing production of another capable assault gun without requiring a completely new vehicle design.

StuG IV Sd.Kfz. 167 – Armament and Battlefield Role

The StuG IV Sd.Kfz. 167 carried a 7.5 cm StuK 40 L/48 gun, which provided effective anti-armor firepower against many Allied armored vehicles encountered during the war.

Unlike a conventional tank, the StuG IV did not have a fully rotating turret. Its main gun was installed in a fixed armored superstructure with limited horizontal traverse. To engage targets outside the gun's traverse range, the crew needed to reposition the entire vehicle.

This arrangement allowed the vehicle to maintain a lower silhouette than many contemporary tanks, making it useful in defensive positions and concealed firing locations. The StuG IV could support infantry attacks, engage enemy armor, and provide direct fire against fortified positions.

Its Panzer IV-based running gear and suspension also give the vehicle a recognizable appearance, particularly when compared with the shorter Panzer III-based StuG III.

Sturmgeschütz IV in World War II

The StuG IV served with German forces from late 1943 through the end of World War II in 1945. These assault guns operated on both the Eastern and Western Fronts, where they participated in defensive fighting, anti-tank engagements, and infantry support missions.

As Germany increasingly faced shortages of armored vehicles and equipment, assault guns such as the StuG IV became important components of its armored forces. Their comparatively straightforward construction and effective main armament made them useful during a period of increasingly difficult battlefield conditions.

For military history enthusiasts, the StuG IV represents the adaptation of existing German armored vehicle designs to the changing requirements of the later war years.

Detailed Panzer IV Chassis and Suspension

Academy's 1/35 StuG IV kit offers several opportunities for realistic assembly and finishing. The model includes separate road wheels and suspension components that reproduce the distinctive running gear of the Panzer IV chassis.

The flexible tracks provide a practical assembly approach, while spare wheels, track links, tools, and exterior accessories add visual interest to the finished vehicle. The 75mm gun can be positioned at different elevations, allowing modelers to customize the completed display.

A standing German soldier figure is also included, making it possible to create a simple vehicle-and-crew presentation or incorporate the finished assault gun into a larger WWII battlefield diorama.

Painting and Weathering a 1/35 Scale StuG IV

The Academy Sturmgeschütz IV is a suitable subject for modelers interested in German WWII armor painting techniques and realistic battlefield weathering.

Depending on the historical vehicle being represented, builders can research late-war German camouflage finishes incorporating dark yellow, olive green, and red-brown tones. Camouflage patterns varied between vehicles and periods, making reference photographs particularly useful when selecting a finish.

Weathering techniques such as pin washes, dry brushing, dust effects, mud deposits, chipped paint, and exhaust staining can help reproduce the appearance of an operational armored vehicle. Special attention to the road wheels, tracks, lower hull, and exterior equipment can create a convincing battlefield finish.

The completed StuG IV pairs well with German Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks, Jagdpanzer IV tank destroyers, and other late-war armored vehicles in a 1/35 scale collection.

Explore more World War II tanks, assault guns, armored fighting vehicles, and military modeling subjects in our Academy Tank & Military Armor Model Kits collection.

Complete Your Academy Sturmgeschütz IV Model Kit

This Academy 1/35 scale military armor kit requires assembly and painting. Plastic model cement, paints, and hobby tools are sold separately. Find German military camouflage colors, primers, clear coats, washes, and weathering supplies in our model paints and hobby painting supplies.

Discover additional WWII military vehicles, aircraft, ships, and historical modeling subjects in our Academy Models collection, or browse the complete plastic model kits collection at Fusion Scale Hobbies.