The Dělo Automobilní Nabíjené Automaticky (self-propelled auto-loading gun, or DANA), also known as Samohybná Kanónová Húfnica vzor 77 (ShKH vz. 77, or self-propelled gun howitzer Model 77), was developed in Czechoslovakia in the 1970s and entered service in 1981. It was the first self-propelled gun that could auto-load with the gun in any position. More than 600 were produced; still active today, the eight-wheeled 152mm howitzer serves in several countries.

HobbyBoss has released the first plastic model of this unusual vehicle in 1/35 scale. Molded in tan plastic, the parts show excellent detail. The kit also includes one large and two smaller frets of photoetched metal. A 32-page instruction booklet contains clear assembly diagrams in 34 steps and is supplemented by a two-sided, full-color painting guide for the four vehicles covered by the decal sheet.

I started assembly with the cab interior. The driver’s compartment comes in upper and lower halves. All of the major components are provided, but, even with the front windows and top hatches open, very little of the interior can be seen. I found the kit’s guards and grab handles a bit thick; replacing them with wire would bring them closer to scale. Also, I would suggest leaving off the guards around the lights until they are painted; painting around them is difficult. I was disappointed that clear lenses for the lights were not provided, especially the prominent headlights.

The main bed in my kit was slightly warped, so I glued on the frame rails and weighted the assembly to remove most of the warp as the glue dried. I did not install the engine as shown in Step 5, waiting until after I had painted.

The eight wheels are shod with soft rubber tires that look good and fit well. Normally I would keep the wheels and tires off the model until final assembly, but that would have made installing the brake linkages (Part A18) difficult. So, after testing to make sure I could mount the tires later, I followed the instructions and attached the wheels as instructed.

I suggest having all of the parts for the engine/storage area in the rear ready as you put this section together. One piece out of alignment will spell trouble later on.

There are no provisions in the kit to easily show the vehicle with its support posts stowed. The photoetched-metal parts are well done and none are difficult to form, although a bending tool will help on some of them; this would be a good first photoetched-metal project for a modeler. The kit does provide bending jigs for some of the more-complicated pieces; the one for the forward engine grille (Part PE-A24) was especially helpful.

I wish I had painted the interior of the turret bunkers flat black. While you can’t see much of them, there are a few areas where raw plastic is visible.

I annealed the photoetched-metal belt (Part PE-A26) for the loading ramp to get it to bend more easily around Part L11; you could also replace the belt with thin plastic or electrician’s tape. A piece of loosely twisted copper wire is provided for the tow cable. You have to make your own ends, but nothing is provided to secure the end once it wraps around the eyes (K6). I used some soft, thin lead wire for mine.

It took about 24 hours to build my DANA; the finished model exactly matches the dimensions posted here. Any modeler with some experience should be able to handle this kit. There are a few variations of this 30-year old vehicle; I wonder if HobbyBoss will release any of them.