In Box Review of Commander Series Models 1/35th Scale
German 150mm Sfh 13/1 (sf) Geschutzwagen (Full Kit)
Kit no. 1-036
By Ray Mehlberger
Out of production.
Available in Border Model Brand kits no. BT-032 or BT-035 for $59.47 from Sprue Brothers and for $53.99 from Squadron and at 4 locations overseas on the web. Both with copyright dates of 2023.
By Ray Mehlberger
Out of production.
Available in Border Model Brand kits no. BT-032 or BT-035 for $59.47 from Sprue Brothers and for $53.99 from Squadron and at 4 locations overseas on the web. Both with copyright dates of 2023.
HISTORY:
Hummel (German: "bumblebee") was a German self-propelled gun used by the Wehrmacht during World War II. Based on the Geschützwagen III/IV chassis and armed with the 15 cm sFH 18/1 L/30 howitzer, it saw action from early 1943 until the end of the war. Its ordnance inventory designation was Sd.Kfz. 165.
The full name was Panzer Feldhaubitze 18M auf Geschützwagen III/IV (Sf) Hummel, Sd.Kfz. 165. On February 27, 1944, Hitler ordered the name Hummel to be dropped as it was deemed inappropriate for a fighting vehicle.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Self-propelled artillery
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1943–1945
Wars: World War II
No. built: 714
Mass: 24 tonnes (52,910 lb)
Length: 7.17 m (23 ft 6 in)
Width : 2.97 m (9 ft 9 in)
Height: 2.81 m (9 ft 3 in)
Crew: 6 - Driver and 5 gun crew
Armor: 10–30 mm (.39 - 1.18 in)
Main armament: 1 × 15 cm sFH 18/1 L/30 with 18 rounds
Secondary armament: 1 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 with 600 rounds
Engine: Maybach HL 120 TRM V12 petrol of 300 PS (296 hp, 221 kW)
Power/weight: 12.5 PS/tonne
Suspension: Leaf spring
Operational range: 215 km (133 mi)
Maximum speed: 42 km/h (26 mph)
Hummel (German: "bumblebee") was a German self-propelled gun used by the Wehrmacht during World War II. Based on the Geschützwagen III/IV chassis and armed with the 15 cm sFH 18/1 L/30 howitzer, it saw action from early 1943 until the end of the war. Its ordnance inventory designation was Sd.Kfz. 165.
The full name was Panzer Feldhaubitze 18M auf Geschützwagen III/IV (Sf) Hummel, Sd.Kfz. 165. On February 27, 1944, Hitler ordered the name Hummel to be dropped as it was deemed inappropriate for a fighting vehicle.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Self-propelled artillery
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1943–1945
Wars: World War II
No. built: 714
Mass: 24 tonnes (52,910 lb)
Length: 7.17 m (23 ft 6 in)
Width : 2.97 m (9 ft 9 in)
Height: 2.81 m (9 ft 3 in)
Crew: 6 - Driver and 5 gun crew
Armor: 10–30 mm (.39 - 1.18 in)
Main armament: 1 × 15 cm sFH 18/1 L/30 with 18 rounds
Secondary armament: 1 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 with 600 rounds
Engine: Maybach HL 120 TRM V12 petrol of 300 PS (296 hp, 221 kW)
Power/weight: 12.5 PS/tonne
Suspension: Leaf spring
Operational range: 215 km (133 mi)
Maximum speed: 42 km/h (26 mph)
THE KIT:
Commander Series Models is based in Rochester, NY.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped, dark navy-blue tray and lid type box.
The cover art has a color photo of the model pasted on it. It is in a camouflage of a base of sand yellow with green wave pattern and a skeletal white German cross on its sides. At the bottom it says: Resin cast model kits & accessories. Armor kits & accessories. Iron shipwright signature series. Figures.
This is repeated on both side panels of the box, over modeling experience suggested. Contains cast resin/white metal parts. Not for children.
Each end of the box says: Commander Series Models INC. Over; 551 Wegman Road, Rochester, NY 14624, Made in the USA.
Commander Series Models is based in Rochester, NY.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped, dark navy-blue tray and lid type box.
The cover art has a color photo of the model pasted on it. It is in a camouflage of a base of sand yellow with green wave pattern and a skeletal white German cross on its sides. At the bottom it says: Resin cast model kits & accessories. Armor kits & accessories. Iron shipwright signature series. Figures.
This is repeated on both side panels of the box, over modeling experience suggested. Contains cast resin/white metal parts. Not for children.
Each end of the box says: Commander Series Models INC. Over; 551 Wegman Road, Rochester, NY 14624, Made in the USA.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 50 light tan resin parts. Forty-eight parts are in stapled-shut clear cello bags. The two largest parts, the main-gun barrel and rear hull section are wrapped in clear bubble wrap. Eight light-tan lengths of track links and 2 short medium-tan lengths are in a stapled-shut cello bag. There is a brass PE fret in another stapled-shut clear cello bag.
This kit contains 50 light tan resin parts. Forty-eight parts are in stapled-shut clear cello bags. The two largest parts, the main-gun barrel and rear hull section are wrapped in clear bubble wrap. Eight light-tan lengths of track links and 2 short medium-tan lengths are in a stapled-shut cello bag. There is a brass PE fret in another stapled-shut clear cello bag.
The instructions consist of a single sheet, printed on both sides and folded to create 4 pages in 5 ½” x 8 ½” page format, folded again to fit the box.
Page 1 begins with a black and white photo of the model made up in the box art scheme. (already described above). Over illustrations of the 50 parts in the kit.
Page 1 begins with a black and white photo of the model made up in the box art scheme. (already described above). Over illustrations of the 50 parts in the kit.
Pages 2 and 3 show two assembly steps and a part name list of the 50 parts.
There are 2 identical hull tub parts.
Parts number 1 to 6 return rollers.
Parts 7 are two road wheels.
Parts 8 are two rear wheels.
Parts 9 are two drive wheels.
Parts 10 are six springs.
Parts 11 are 5 wheel trucks.
Parts 7 are two road wheels.
Parts 8 are two rear wheels.
Parts 9 are two drive wheels.
Parts 10 are six springs.
Parts 11 are 5 wheel trucks.
Part 12 is the rear section.
Part 13 is the main gun.
Part 14 is the recoil spade.
Part 15 is the elevator teeth.
Part 16 is the gun cradle.
Part 17 is the front fenders.
Part 18 is the front light.
Part 19 is the muffler.
Part 15 is the elevator teeth.
Part 16 is the gun cradle.
Part 17 is the front fenders.
Part 18 is the front light.
Part 19 is the muffler.
Part 20 is 4 lengths of track.
Part 21 is spare track.
Part 21 is spare track.
Parts 22 & 23 are the rear wheel mounts.
Part 24 is a tow hook.
Part 25 is the rear light.
Part 26 is a jack.
Part 27 is a box.
Part 28 is tools.
Part 29 is eight tow hooks.
Part 30 is another box.
Parts 31 and 32 are elevation wheels.
Part 33 is recuperator detail.
Part 34 is the travel lock.
Part 35 is the siren.
Parts 36 & 37 are gunsights.
Parts 38 & 39 are spade mounts.
Part 40 is a gun mount.
Parts 41 & 42 are side-armor lower panels.
Parts 43 & 44 are front-armor plates.
Parts 45 & 46 are upper side armor plates.
Part 47 is a handle.
Part 48 is the brake-lock handle.
Part 49 is the gun shield top.
Part 50 is the chin part.
Part 24 is a tow hook.
Part 25 is the rear light.
Part 26 is a jack.
Part 27 is a box.
Part 28 is tools.
Part 29 is eight tow hooks.
Part 30 is another box.
Parts 31 and 32 are elevation wheels.
Part 33 is recuperator detail.
Part 34 is the travel lock.
Part 35 is the siren.
Parts 36 & 37 are gunsights.
Parts 38 & 39 are spade mounts.
Part 40 is a gun mount.
Parts 41 & 42 are side-armor lower panels.
Parts 43 & 44 are front-armor plates.
Parts 45 & 46 are upper side armor plates.
Part 47 is a handle.
Part 48 is the brake-lock handle.
Part 49 is the gun shield top.
Part 50 is the chin part.
PHOTO ETCH PARTS:
A. Muffler cover.
B. Rear step.
C. Spare wheel support.
D. Siren guard.
E. Spade teeth.
A. Muffler cover.
B. Rear step.
C. Spare wheel support.
D. Siren guard.
E. Spade teeth.
Also on page 4 it gives ASSEMBLY NOTES:
Remove all casting blocks from parts with sandpaper and Dremel tool! Assemble six (6) suspension sets and test fit on hull prior to glueing. Install return rollers as shown below (some trimming of adjacent springs may be necessary to facilitate correct fit!). During assembly be sure to test alignment of wheels.
Brass strip is supplied for fenders if modeler wishes to make scale parts. See photos for further information.
Paper templates are provided to enable the modeler to replace those provided from .015 styrene.
Page 4 is the Photo Gallery. It shows 6 black and white walk-around type photos of a Hummel on display at Aberdeen Proving Ground Museum. Photos provided by Cookie Seawell. Our thanks to him for his assistance on the development of this kit. Kit build-up by Ted Paris. Master by R.A. Hanson.
Remove all casting blocks from parts with sandpaper and Dremel tool! Assemble six (6) suspension sets and test fit on hull prior to glueing. Install return rollers as shown below (some trimming of adjacent springs may be necessary to facilitate correct fit!). During assembly be sure to test alignment of wheels.
Brass strip is supplied for fenders if modeler wishes to make scale parts. See photos for further information.
Paper templates are provided to enable the modeler to replace those provided from .015 styrene.
Page 4 is the Photo Gallery. It shows 6 black and white walk-around type photos of a Hummel on display at Aberdeen Proving Ground Museum. Photos provided by Cookie Seawell. Our thanks to him for his assistance on the development of this kit. Kit build-up by Ted Paris. Master by R.A. Hanson.
The detail in this kit is excellent.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.