| Date of Review |
August 2005 |
| Manufacturer |
DML |
| Subject |
Sd.Kfz.164 Nashorn |
| Scale |
1/72 |
| Kit Number |
7292 |
| Primary Media |
191 parts (160 in grey styrene, 17 etched brass, 2 in tan DS 100 plastic) |
| Pros |
First kit of this vehicle in this scale in styrene; amazing amount of
parts for a kit WITHOUT separate track; very nicely done detail work |
| Cons |
Gun is very involved and will take a great deal of care to assemble
correctly; brass ammo racks will require care in assembly; tracks are slightly too long
and will need cutting |
| Skill Level |
Basic |
| MSRP (USD) |
$10.95 |
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 of DML for the review sample.
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