Reviewed by Cookie Sewell

Dragon's 1/72 scale Nashorn will be available online from Squadron.com

This is the later production version of the Sd.Kfz. 164, and as it is virtually identical with the previous early model (Hornisse) kit (#7234) it completes the series of two Hummels and two Nashorns/Hornisses – early and late models.

Since both sets of parts come on the same sprues, and the main difference here is the new travel lock and the special gun barrel that comes with the upper mount attached, most of the comments from the earlier kit and review stand as is. Note that this IS a different kit and unless you want to fool around with the barrels or replace them, you have to purchase each kit to get either a Hornisse or a Nashorn.

To recap. has managed to provide nearly all of the details that come on its larger models in a 1/72 scale kit, and includes etched brass as well.

The kit provides the Gw III/IV chassis and also many of the parts that will go with the other (probably) three partners for this kit – the Nashorn and an early and late Hummel – in two sets of drivers, exhausts, and associated details. Two different travel locks are provided (Hornisse and Nashorn) but while the directions show a separate forward barrel section for the late-model (part F12) and one for the early model (F2), the gates have been reversed it has been gated off and is not present in the kit, so you will have to get #7234 to get the early barrel.

The gun consists of some 12 parts, with the rear half of the breech split horizontally rather than vertically; if neatly assembled and sanded down with a "Flex-i-File" this should cause no problems and does remove the pesky ridge along the top of the barrel.

The wheels come pre-molded in pairs and with a separate center; this idea has been popular, for it permits neat painting of the tires and center sections separately to provide a clean separation line.

Brass parts are included for the fighting compartment floor ammo chest (along with three single 8.8 cm rounds) and also for the side cooling air louvers.

There is an update on the tracks. Originally I noted that I had bad news and good news on the tracks. According to Al Boone (who built one) the bad news is that the tracks are too long and could be cut down. The good news is that according to Freddie Leung of DML, they are done that way so that the modeler may "sag" them between the return rollers, and photos of the factory built test shots show them that way with a bit of sag on the top track run. Since they are made out of DML's DS 100 glueable vinyl plastic, either cutting them down or simply cementing them to the wheels for "sag" when done is not too difficult.

Five different finishing options are provided: s.H.Pz.Jg.Abt. 519, s.H.Pz.Jg.Abt. 525 (two different vehicles), and s.H.Pz.Jg.Abt. 88 (two different vehicles). This kit has a dedicated decal sheet as well, and not just a "generic number jungle" as with some of the others.

Overall, again this an elegant little model and should please many German fans in providing a first-class kit in 1/72 scale.

Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.

Cookie Sewell

Thanks to Freddie Leung of DML for the review sample.

Review Copyright © 2005 by Cookie Sewell
Page Created 24 April, 2005
Last updated 14 August, 2005

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