Equipped with a long-barreled 8.8cm PaK43/1 L/71 cannon, the Nashorn (translated as “Rhinoceros”) was a self-propelled tank destroyer employed by Germany in WWII. The 24-tonne Nashorn was actually an interim solution introduced early in 1943, making its combat debut at the titanic Battle of Kursk. The Nashorn stayed in service until the end of the war, despite being superseded in production by the Jagdpanzer IV and Jagdpanther.

The Nashorn was based on the chassis of the Panzer IV tank, and employed an open-topped lightly armored superstructure to protect the crew. Total production of the Nashorn/Hornisse family amounted to 494 vehicles. They were issued to six individual heavy antitank battalions, and the 8.8cm main armament proved extremely potent.

With over 700 parts, many of them being the superbly done individual link Magic Tracks, this is another of Dragon's highly detailed kits. There is the usual small photo etch fret of parts and a nicely done aluminum gun barrel to add to things. The kit can be built either in traveling or firing modes. The list of new mold parts and features is featured below.

- Newly tooled Sd.Kfz. 164 Nashorn w/authentic details
- New scale-thickness fighting compartment armor has extra-thin top edge
- Newly tooled fighting compartment armor w/accurate detail on both sides
- Two newly tooled ammo bins w/ammo included
- Gun shield realistically produced w/extra armor newly tooled
- Newly tooled glacis plate finely produced w/weld seams
- Great detail on the hull rear w/two options of pipes and mufflers included
- Fighting compartment w/accurate interior detail
- Side ventilation louvers made as fine as possible
- Slats positioned at correct angle
- Movable brackets can be positioned up/down
- Movable gun breech accurately reproduced in multiple parts
- Gun can recoil w/superb bolt detail on the cradle
- Aluminum gun barrel included for realistic assembly
- Gunner's seat and hand wheels w/well-defined details
- Fighting compartment rear door can be assembled open/closed
- Additional armor w/authentic bolt detail
- Hatches and periscope cover can be assembled open/closed
- Road wheels and return rollers w/realistic detail
- Fighting compartment periscopes w/clear parts
- Warm-air vent is slide molded
- Three types of travel lock w/crisp details
- Travel lock mechanism realistically represented
- Two spare-track brackets included for different assembly
- Finely detailed Magic Tracks

Instructions are superbly and clearly drawn, showing any modifications needed for the different versions. The kit also includes templates for providing precise parts locations for various bits. Six markings options are provided and include the four shown above. All are from the 1943 time frame and most are on the Eastern Front. There are two of each type. Initial build vehicles are from PzJgAbt 655 and 560, Initial Modified are from PzJgAbt 655 and 560, while Early vehicles are from PzJgABT 560 and a training unit. All are a base of Panzer Tan with most having sprayed camouflage in Green or Brown or both.

This is truly a super kit and most highly detailed. It will not only provide hours of modeling pleasure but reward the builder with a fine model when done.

My thanks to www.dragonmodelsusa.com for the preview kit. You can get yours at your local shop or on-line retailer.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.

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