Reviewed by Cookie Sewell

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When we started the Armor Modeling and Preservation Society back in July 1993, we were all new to the game of in-depth reviews and presenting them in a useful format for modelers. Many of us who were the founders and "old hands" pitched in to get the ball rolling by contributing review s of new kits or other kits that had been around a while and not covered. Just before we went to press with the first issue of the BORESIGHT I did a review of the DML Nashorn kit (‘39-‘45 Series No. 6001, the first one in this series) back in late 1992 and totally missed the mark. Since I do not build German subjects by choice, I simply looked in the box at all the parts and gave it a good review.

Needless to say, those modelers who DO build German armor were quick to take me to task for not putting the kit together, as I would have found out it was awful. Parts did not fit or line up, it was nearly impossible to get the tracks on, the fenders were too short for the hull, the gun sat too high, and many of the details were totally wrong. DML was likewise caught off guard by the bad review (in that period they did find that one of their draughtsmen was not doing a good job and summarily fired him, replacing him with better researchers and competent draughtsmen.) When they released their Hummel kit (No. 6004) they corrected many of the hull problems with the Nashorn kit, but it was still considered to be a bear to assemble correctly and get all the parts to fit right.

Ten years on, DML has completely retooled the original kit, replacing much of it with new or vastly corrected parts and details. They also have produced enough kits to "mix-and-match" sprues to provide later, more accurate parts. The two single-link track sprues are for the Pzkw. III/Pzkw. IV kits released over the years, and the main running gear comes from the Jagdpanzer IV kit. Two sprues of correct Gw. III/IV hull drive wheels and idlers complete the running gear.

The lower hull is still one piece, but whereas before the upper hull was a single molding this kit comes with FIVE parts – fenders, glacis, center mount for the gun, and rear lower hull floor. Other details are similarly changed from the original kit, and the parts are also finer in detail and size. Even the external U-shaped tie-downs are included in nearly scale thickness styrene. The two brass 8.8 cm rounds are a bonus, and very nicely done.

There remain some dicey bits to assembly, most notably the tracks and the fenders. The tracks are a very tight fit under the front fenders, and this is one of those models where you will have to assemble the lower hull completely prior to working on the upper hull. It is not very easy to get the tracks installed once the fenders are in place, as they fit closely and do not leave any room to slide the upper track run into place. Even the use of a set of Fruilmodel tracks will be a gamble due to the close fit. .

Markings are included for two vehicles, one from sch. Heerespanzerjaeger Abteilung 525 and one from Abteilung 560. Both are in the multicolor camouflage schemes popular with modelers, and the full color instruction sheet shows them to good advantage.

Overall, this is not your "father's" Nashorn and is a much better and better thought out kit than the first one – 164 WWII kits ago.

Thanks once again to Freddie Leung for the review sample.

Cookie Sewell
AMPS

Review Copyright © 2002 by Cookie Sewell
Page Created 07 December, 2002
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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