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This is
the FV434 purchased from England
that we started out with January 2007.
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After
lots of grueling paperwork between 2 governments we managed
to import into Canada.
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It took
us over a week to cut everything away that didn't look like
a StuGIII.
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We projected
a StuGIII image onto plywood and traced it for measurements.
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Out of
1/4" steel plate we started to fabricate the main hull
which is bolted to the bottom hull.
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Special
thanks to Brian and all other helpers.
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Engine
was refitted to the back of the new StuGIII.
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All panels
are removable just like the original StuGIII, i.e. fenders,
covers & cupola.
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The engine
cover was cut & installed with side vents.
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Original
FV434 Radiator was installed
on right side of engine bay.
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Each engine
vent cover took one day to fabricate.
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Thanks
to Peter & his Dad's lathe we
received great, heavy-duty hinges.
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The mufflers
are made & installed and the back is almost done.
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Fake welds
were made to imitate
the original heavy armor.
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Driver
Viewing Slit fabricated & bolted on.
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Slide
opening for main gun optic.
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Hatch
& shield for the machine gunner.
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Access
hatches for steering
& breaking mechanisms.
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After
10 weeks of hard work we finished the metal fabrication of the
outer shell
including the main gun. Now it's ready for sandblast, epoxy-prime
& paint.
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The K60
Rolls Royce engine with the Alliston automatic transmission
was moved from front to back of vehicle and refitted. We had
to make a new diesel fuel tank with filter & colling fans
for the radiator.
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Interior
is fitted with 4 seats as the original StuG3 would have had.
A dummie gun moves up & down as well as sideways left &
right.
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Collapsible
driver's seat with all controls.
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Reassembled
after the painting process & first time out.
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A lot
of attention was spent on detail to resemble an original StuGIII
as close as possible.
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As seen
at the Battle Re-enactment weekend July 14 & 15, 2007 at
Upper Canada Village in
Morrisburg, Ontario posing with the 15. Panzer Division &
the 2. Panzer Division Re-enactment Unit.
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First
re-enactment outing April 2010 main gun works on oxygen/acetylene.
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Ready
for its new home in Texas, USA.
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Drivers
compartment: Ralf Schneider at the helm.
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StuG
III test firing on youtube:
(just click anywhere on link >>>)
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oyda6zwOyk
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We are
looking for spare tracks from a FV434 or FV432, original German
wire cutter or anything else pertainig to the StuGIII. If you
can help or have comments please call or email us at Willys
Acres,
ask for Markus: info@willysacres.com
or 705-835-5739.
Our next winter project is a PanzerIII so we're looking for
another FV432 or FV434
and pictures from an original PanzerIII, website as well as
inside shots.
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