| Date of Review |
January 2006 |
| Manufacturer |
DML |
| Subject |
Sd.Kfz.165 Hummel Early Version |
| Scale |
1/72 |
| Kit Number |
7244 |
| Primary Media |
168 parts (146 in grey styrene, 18 etched
brass, 2 in DS plastic, 2 pre-bent wire) |
| Pros |
New, fresh kit of this vehicle using the
excellent chassis parts from the two previous Nashorn/Hornisse
kits; gun captures chunky look of the original |
| Cons |
May have some shared parts from the other
kits which are not quite precisely suited to the Hummel |
| Skill Level |
Basic |
| MSRP (USD) |
$11.95 |
Last summer DML released a pair of Sd.Kfz.164 kits, first a Hornisse
and then the later Nashorn, using the Gw III/IV chassis. The kits
apparently proved popular, and now the first of the Sd.Kfz.165
Hummel kits using the same chassis has been released.
This is the early model "pulpit" style driver's compartment
version, and the main difference between it and the 164s is the
15 cm gun and mount. The new gun comprises 23 parts, several of
which meet my RP (right puny) criteria and will need to be handled
with care.
I am no expert on the Hummel but the interior seems a bit spartan
and I see no sights or other kit for the Hummel which I recall
being there, so am sure someone will come to the rescue later on.
However, what is provided seems accurate according to the references
I have, so if DML has committed any mistakes they are those of
omission and not commission, which is easier to fix later on.
The kit comes with pre-bent spare wheel brackets from wire as
well as a choice of etched brass or plastic radiator exhaust grilles
on the sides of the casemate. It also uses DML's DS plastic tracks,
which are cut a bit long to allow for sag.
Decals and finishing options are provided for five guns: unidentified,
Eastern Front1944; two from "Das Reich," Normandy 1944;
unidentified, Eastern Front Winter 1944; and one from the 5th Panzer
Division, Russia 1944.
Overall this is a nice kit and shows DML continues to meet the
needs of small scale modelers.
Thanks to Freddie Leung of DML for the review sample.
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