Tiger tanks and their variants are well known throughout the modelling world as one of the must built, especially for AFV modellers. This was the case for the Sturmmörserwagen 606/4 mit 38 cm RW 61 otherwise known as the STRUMTIGER. The rare variant released initially as resin kits in 1987 and 1990 and was followed by the first release in plastic by Tamiya in 1994. Kit Number 35177 was a sensation back in the mid 90s in terms of quality, it reigned supreme until AFV Club's release 12 years later.
Two was purchased in Hong Kong back in 1997, together with turned aluminium mortar shells and a edurard PE set. These sat on storage until mid January 2025 (29 years!) until i decided to have a crack at it. I 've to admit what put me off all these years was the photo etch set and the need to want it done correctly. Rye Field model released its beautiful version in 2018 was also a kick in the pants to start so stash built. With the rising cost of model kits, what better idea to save money and build those kits purchased.
Therefore, i set about motivating myself to start..... part of me does not want a stock built. How do i make it interesting?
The Sturmtiger armed with a 380mm RW61 mortar on a Tiger I chassis was a German assault gun used for urban fighting. Built byAlkett or (Altmärkische Kettenwerk GmbH), a German company that played a significant role in the development and production of armored vehicles during World War II such as the Sturmgeschütz III and IV and of course, the Sturmmörser Tiger.
Coming back to the kit, i decided to research more about the fearsome 380mm RW61 rocket-propelled mortar. ..."The barrel was radically different in design to other guns, with a cast outer body and a liner inside made from steel about 12 mm thick. Into this liner were cut nine rifling grooves into which splines on the rocket would sit and then rotate during firing."... "together with the splines which went into the rifling of the gun caused the shell to rotate clockwise in flight for stability."... (Source: https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/nazi_germany/sturmtiger.php) And hence since barrel length affects accuracy and flight stability of a shell round. IT will be interesting to see a Sturmtiger with a lengthen barrel.
The first bit was to create the length mortar using a surplus barrel saw off using a razor saw. The two part was taped down before gluing them together.
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| Lengthen Mortar Barrel |
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| Compared to the Orignal Mortar Barrel. |
With the modification completed, its to to add the Photo Etch to the select location and paint the interior and weathered them to give a used look.
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| Interior |
