Stug IV Construction Wrap-up?

My projects seem to drag on, don't they? I promise to actually wrap something up this time. Without much further ado, we'll get right to it. There is a grill that needs tending.

I wanted to create damaged fenders so I started by filing down the inside of the front fenders.

I used my fingernails to bend and distort the fenders.

In real life, the schürzen side skirts were individual armor plates. I numbered them here before I cut them apart because they are different widths.

I won't be able to see the notations after priming so it was a futile effort I think.

Same concept as the fenders to create damage.

I used a toothpick and my fingernail to create a blast impact from a shell.

The tools added to the upper hull.

Main turret ring assembly.

The periscope seems high compared to the instructions and the box art, maybe they went that high in real life. I wanted to trim them down, because I need more things to do apparently.

Cut for modification.

Glued into position.

Glued into place.

Turret ring complete.

Right side tools and brackets for the schürzen rails.

Tow cable attached.

Front spare track holder thing.

Assembled.

Attached to the front lower hull.

Rear lower hull plate attached.

Top hull and schürzen rails attached. It looks like an armored vehicle now!

Schürzen temporarily hung. I probably won't display it with all the plates. It wasn't uncommon that they were missing a plate or two or three. Brush, trees and other obstacles commonly knocked them off and damaged the plates and the rails in the process.

I wanted to have the machine gun hatch open, but without the gunner in place it would just be a hole.

I saw a tutorial online about create tarps. I taped some wax paper to the table and put down some cornstarch. I then mixed up some Milliput and rolled it out as thin as I could and cut it rectangular-ish.

I laid it over the machine gun position and let it cure overnight.

It's still a bit thick for a tarp at this scale. I may redo this in the future, or maybe I'll paint up a dude to put in there!

Bonus content!

I had some extra so I put it on the Hanomag for testing.

See, I wrapped something up! I should have the stuff I need to start the priming and painting process, so that will be coming "soon"*. Happy New Year!

* Definitions and timing may vary