Kit: No. 6165
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Dragon, distributed by Dragon Models USA, 1315 John Reed Court, City of Industry, CA 91745, www.dragonmodelsusa.com
Price: $35.98
Comments: Injection-molded, 626 parts (2 turned-brass 88mm rounds), decals
Pros: Excellent detail and accuracy, bonus brass rounds, individual-link track
Cons: Ejector-pin marks mar the armor plates, some gun-compartment parts difficult to install in sequence, decals are fragile
The Nashorn/Hornisse (translation: Rhino/Hornet) was an early attempt to create a mobile version of the potent 88mm PaK 43 antitank gun. With 494 machines produced, they saw action on all fronts from 1943 until the end of World War II.
Dragon is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its “1:35 ’39-’45 Series” with a re-tool of the series’ first kit, the Nashorn – in this case the early model SdKfz 164 Hornisse. As exciting as the subject was, the original Dragon Nashorn was more of a caricature than an accurate model (emphasized by the number of aftermarket correction kits available). Dragon’s new Nashorn is just the opposite! The only things that aren’t all new are the wheels and suspension from Dragon’s Jadgpanzer IV. It’s cleanly molded in Dragon’s standard neutral gray plastic. All the hatches and doors can be posed open. The tracks are provided as separate links. A bonus is a pair of turned-brass 88mm rounds! No crew figures are provided.
Dragon properly represents the “early” Nashorn versions of the engine muffler, rear mud flaps, and lower hull stowage boxes.
I started construction with the wheels and suspension units. The track return rollers had a lot of play when installed in the hull mountings. Take some time and make sure they all line up, otherwise they will cause problems when installing the tracks.
Dry-fitting the front hull fenders prompted me to add the tracks first, as they would be difficult to install afterwards. I also decided to paint the wheels and tracks after their installation, something I’ve always wanted to try. The downside to this sequence is the careful planning and painting needed to airbrush the lower hull and wheels in the basic camouflage colors.
The tracks have good detail. However, the guide horns should not be solid as presented but hollow since this is an early-model vehicle.
The gun compartment has separate parts for the armored plates. Unfortunately, the interior surfaces are marred by numerous ejector pin marks. Some would be quite noticeable after painting, so I filled and sanded them away. There are also some part-placement marks for future Nashorn versions that should be removed. The gun compartment’s interior detail is good. The hull floor accurately captures the panel sections, lift rings, and fuel-filler ports. I painted the gun compartment at this time.
The unique gun cradle clamp is featured. The instructions have you mounting this in the locked position, so if you are modeling your Nashorn in action, you will have to determine how to place it. There are no open ammo lockers provided in this kit, but they will be featured in the upcoming “late” Nashorn. The 88 mm PaK 43/1 gun is well molded. The long barrel is very impressive. I had no problems with its assembly. The multi-part gun sight also looks convincing.
Test fitting proved the front upper armor plates, C14/15 would not go in easily. The curved gun shield limits the amount of free movement. After several tries, I wiggled the parts into place. Installing C14 and C15 before installing the gun assembly may be a better way.
The kit has numerous small parts, and I had difficulty using the color photos in the instructions to determine the proper positions of some.
I painted my Nashorn with Polly Scale colors. Decals are provided for two vehicles. They looked thick, but they were fragile. My sample’s numerals came apart as I tried to apply them, so I just settled on using the crosses and unit insignia.
I completed my Nashorn in 28 hours. It looks accurate compared with photos in my primary reference, Nuts and Bolts vol. 14 “Nashorn.”
Dragon’s new Nashorn/Hornisse is not a simple kit; the individual track links and numerous small parts require some skill. I’m pleased with my model, and now I can put my old Nashorn kit out to pasture.
– Jim Zeske