In Box Review of Shanghai Dragon 1/35th Scale
German Sd.Kfz. 164 “Nashorn”
39-45 Series kit no. 6001
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 1998
I paid $9.49 for my kit when it was marked down from $18.99 at Hobby Lobby.
Available at 8 different places on Ebay for prices $32.95 on up to $75.95.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 1998
I paid $9.49 for my kit when it was marked down from $18.99 at Hobby Lobby.
Available at 8 different places on Ebay for prices $32.95 on up to $75.95.
HISTORY:
With the advent of the fast-moving “Blitzkrieg” type warfare, the relative inability of the artillery arm to consistently provide rapid deployment of support for the Panzers became a problem. Although the artillery, with their modern prime-movers could easily keep pace with the Panzers, the necessity of limbering and un-limbering the field pieces reduced their effectiveness in rapidly changing situations.
For the Panzers this problem was particularly acute in the case of the 88mm anti-tank guns. These weapons, with their long range and heavy punch, were the most effective counters to enemy tanks.
The obvious solution to these problems was to mount the 88mm on a mobile platform with the cross-country ability of a tank. The chassis selected was specially designed using well-tried components from both the Panzer III and IV.
The chassis was designated Geschützwagen III/IV. The engine was moved amid-ship and the hull was lengthened to allow adequate room and weight distribution for the gun.
Because of the gun’s great weight and the limited capacity of the chassis components. Only a light armor could be provided for the crew. The Nashorn entered service in the spring of 1942 and immediately began to prove its worth.
It remained in production for a little over two years. Although the Nashorns gave adequate service, it was felt that the tank battalions would be better served by a fully armored vehicle. By the middle of 1944, when the Nashorn production ceased , production of its replacement, the Jagdpanther, was well underway.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Tank destroyer
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
Designer: Alkett
Manufacturer: Alkett, Deutsche Eisenwerke (Teplitz-Schönau)
No. built: 494
Mass: 24 tonnes (52,910 lb)
Length: 8.44 m (27 ft 8 in) with gun, 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) excluding gun
Width: 2.95 m (9 ft 8 in)
Height: 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in)
Crew: 5
Armor: hull: 20–30 mm (0.78–1.18 in), superstructure: 10 mm (0.39 in)
Main armament: 88 mm (3.46 in) 8.8 cm Pak 43/1 gun with 40-60 rounds
Secondary armament: 7.92 mm MG34 or MG42 machine gun (carried inside) with 600 rounds
Engine: Maybach HL 120 TRM 11.9 litre V-12 gasoline engine of 296 hp (300 PS, 221 kW)
Power/weight: 12.3 hp/tonne
Transmission: ZF (Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG) SSG 77 Aphon
Suspension: leaf spring
Ground clearance: 0.4 m
Fuel capacity: 470 l (in two fuel tanks)
Operational range: 235 km (146 mi)
Maximum speed: 42 km/h (26.71 mph)
Steering system: Daimler-Benz/Wilson clutch/brake
With the advent of the fast-moving “Blitzkrieg” type warfare, the relative inability of the artillery arm to consistently provide rapid deployment of support for the Panzers became a problem. Although the artillery, with their modern prime-movers could easily keep pace with the Panzers, the necessity of limbering and un-limbering the field pieces reduced their effectiveness in rapidly changing situations.
For the Panzers this problem was particularly acute in the case of the 88mm anti-tank guns. These weapons, with their long range and heavy punch, were the most effective counters to enemy tanks.
The obvious solution to these problems was to mount the 88mm on a mobile platform with the cross-country ability of a tank. The chassis selected was specially designed using well-tried components from both the Panzer III and IV.
The chassis was designated Geschützwagen III/IV. The engine was moved amid-ship and the hull was lengthened to allow adequate room and weight distribution for the gun.
Because of the gun’s great weight and the limited capacity of the chassis components. Only a light armor could be provided for the crew. The Nashorn entered service in the spring of 1942 and immediately began to prove its worth.
It remained in production for a little over two years. Although the Nashorns gave adequate service, it was felt that the tank battalions would be better served by a fully armored vehicle. By the middle of 1944, when the Nashorn production ceased , production of its replacement, the Jagdpanther, was well underway.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Tank destroyer
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
Designer: Alkett
Manufacturer: Alkett, Deutsche Eisenwerke (Teplitz-Schönau)
No. built: 494
Mass: 24 tonnes (52,910 lb)
Length: 8.44 m (27 ft 8 in) with gun, 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) excluding gun
Width: 2.95 m (9 ft 8 in)
Height: 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in)
Crew: 5
Armor: hull: 20–30 mm (0.78–1.18 in), superstructure: 10 mm (0.39 in)
Main armament: 88 mm (3.46 in) 8.8 cm Pak 43/1 gun with 40-60 rounds
Secondary armament: 7.92 mm MG34 or MG42 machine gun (carried inside) with 600 rounds
Engine: Maybach HL 120 TRM 11.9 litre V-12 gasoline engine of 296 hp (300 PS, 221 kW)
Power/weight: 12.3 hp/tonne
Transmission: ZF (Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG) SSG 77 Aphon
Suspension: leaf spring
Ground clearance: 0.4 m
Fuel capacity: 470 l (in two fuel tanks)
Operational range: 235 km (146 mi)
Maximum speed: 42 km/h (26.71 mph)
Steering system: Daimler-Benz/Wilson clutch/brake
THE KIT:
Dragon is an old prolific model company based in Hong Kong, China. However, this kit comes from their plant in Shanghai, China and is the only Dragon kit I own from that plant.
They make all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a Nashorn on a snow covered field, passing a knocked out Soviet T-34 tank. There are 4 German infantrymen on skis between the Nashorn and the T-34. They wear white uniforms and helmets.
In the background there is another T-34 on fire and a Tiger tank.
The Nashorn in the foreground is overall white wash with the German cross on its sides. Two crewmen’s heads can be see over the top of the fighting compartment. One has a hood over his head. The other crewman wears a black billed cloth field cap and is wearing earphones.
One side panel of the box begins with six one-paragraph histories of the Nashorn, in Japanese, French, English, Italian, German and Chinese. Each paragraph labeled with a color illustration of the flag of the country that speaks the language.
These are followed by a CAUTION, that when you use paint or cement do not be near an open flame and be in a well ventilated room, in 6 languages, including English.
Kit is for modelers age 10 and older, in 5 languages, including English and kit is not suitable for children under 3 because of small parts, in multiple languages, including English.
Italeri is the European importer and distributor, based in Italy and their address is given.
Dragon is an old prolific model company based in Hong Kong, China. However, this kit comes from their plant in Shanghai, China and is the only Dragon kit I own from that plant.
They make all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a Nashorn on a snow covered field, passing a knocked out Soviet T-34 tank. There are 4 German infantrymen on skis between the Nashorn and the T-34. They wear white uniforms and helmets.
In the background there is another T-34 on fire and a Tiger tank.
The Nashorn in the foreground is overall white wash with the German cross on its sides. Two crewmen’s heads can be see over the top of the fighting compartment. One has a hood over his head. The other crewman wears a black billed cloth field cap and is wearing earphones.
One side panel of the box begins with six one-paragraph histories of the Nashorn, in Japanese, French, English, Italian, German and Chinese. Each paragraph labeled with a color illustration of the flag of the country that speaks the language.
These are followed by a CAUTION, that when you use paint or cement do not be near an open flame and be in a well ventilated room, in 6 languages, including English.
Kit is for modelers age 10 and older, in 5 languages, including English and kit is not suitable for children under 3 because of small parts, in multiple languages, including English.
Italeri is the European importer and distributor, based in Italy and their address is given.
The other side panel shows 4 walk-around type color photos of the model made up. Paint and glue are not provided in the kit.
Shanghai Dragon’s street address, telephone and FAX numbers are provided. Copyright of the kit is 1998 and kit was made in China.
Shanghai Dragon’s street address, telephone and FAX numbers are provided. Copyright of the kit is 1998 and kit was made in China.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 480 parts on 4 medium-gray trees and 3 jet-black trees, a loose medium-gray hull tub and hull rear section, the decal sheet and a length of white string, in 5 sealed clear cello bags,
The instructions consists of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 8 ¼” x 14” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art, over the history of the Nashorn in English, German, French, Italian, Japanese and Chinese.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTION about the kit, over international assembly symbol explanations and a suggested paint color listing of Gunze Sangyo and Italeri brands of hobby paints in 5 languages, including English.
At the bottom of page 2 there is a black and white photo of the model made up in the box art scheme.
Below it through to page 6 is a grand total of 10 assembly steps.
Page 7 is a painting and marking guide. It shows two side views and a 3-view of the Nashorn.
The first side view is in a base of middle-stone with a dark-green squiggle camouflage pattern. It has 19 white victory bands around its gun barrel and the German cross on its sides.
It is shown as how it appeared on the Eastern Front, summer 1944.
The second side view is in a camouflage of middle-stone, mahogany and dark-green blotches, with nickname “Lowe” in black, outlined in white and the German cross on its site.
It is shown also as it looked on the Eastern Front, Spring 1944.
The 3-view is overall-white. It has the nickname “Puma” in red outlined in white on its sides with the German cross. Cross is also on the left of the rear wall.
This Nashorn is how it looked, again on the Eastern Front, winter 1944 and is the cover art subject.
No units are given for these 3 and should have been provided.
Trees are alphabetized.
The kit holds 480 parts on 4 medium-gray trees and 3 jet-black trees, a loose medium-gray hull tub and hull rear section, the decal sheet and a length of white string, in 5 sealed clear cello bags,
The instructions consists of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 8 ¼” x 14” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art, over the history of the Nashorn in English, German, French, Italian, Japanese and Chinese.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTION about the kit, over international assembly symbol explanations and a suggested paint color listing of Gunze Sangyo and Italeri brands of hobby paints in 5 languages, including English.
At the bottom of page 2 there is a black and white photo of the model made up in the box art scheme.
Below it through to page 6 is a grand total of 10 assembly steps.
Page 7 is a painting and marking guide. It shows two side views and a 3-view of the Nashorn.
The first side view is in a base of middle-stone with a dark-green squiggle camouflage pattern. It has 19 white victory bands around its gun barrel and the German cross on its sides.
It is shown as how it appeared on the Eastern Front, summer 1944.
The second side view is in a camouflage of middle-stone, mahogany and dark-green blotches, with nickname “Lowe” in black, outlined in white and the German cross on its site.
It is shown also as it looked on the Eastern Front, Spring 1944.
The 3-view is overall-white. It has the nickname “Puma” in red outlined in white on its sides with the German cross. Cross is also on the left of the rear wall.
This Nashorn is how it looked, again on the Eastern Front, winter 1944 and is the cover art subject.
No units are given for these 3 and should have been provided.
Trees are alphabetized.
Medium-gray letter A tree contains the casemate pieces, upper hull, gun shield,etc. (29 parts)
There are 2 identical medium-gray letter B trees. They hold the machine-gun swivel mount etc. (22 parts each)
There are 2 identical medium-gray letter C trees. The hold: drive sprockets, road wheels, idler wheels, boggies etc. (25 parts each)
There are 2 identical medium-gray letter D trees. They hold wheel hubs (8 parts each)
There are 2 identical medium-gray letter E trees. They hold return rollers (8 parts each)
Trees B, C. D & E are all co-joined to each other.
There are 2 identical medium-gray letter C trees. The hold: drive sprockets, road wheels, idler wheels, boggies etc. (25 parts each)
There are 2 identical medium-gray letter D trees. They hold wheel hubs (8 parts each)
There are 2 identical medium-gray letter E trees. They hold return rollers (8 parts each)
Trees B, C. D & E are all co-joined to each other.
Medium-gray letter F tree holds: the gun barrel, muzzle and gun support parts (58 parts)
There are 3 identical jet-black letter G trees. These hold the individual track links (80 parts each)
Medium-gray letter H1 is the hull tub part (1 part)
Medium-gray letter H2 is the hull rear section (1 part)
The length of white string, to use for tow cables is next.
The decal sheet completes the kit's contents.
There are no crew figures included and on an open-topped vehicle like this one Dragon should have included some.
Detail is great inside and out.
Highly recommended.
Detail is great inside and out.
Highly recommended.