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Modeller Build Logs

Building the Dragon 1/72 Sd.Kfz. 164 Nashorn

By Christopher Wilson
Started: Oct 20, 2005
Updated: Dec 26, 2005

Recently Dragon has done a brilliant job in expanding their line of 1/72 armor and giving braille scale fans some of what they want, a range of interesting subjects with increasingly impressive detail at a very reasonable price. However, some of this comes at a cost. We still have vague instructions and one piece tracks when most braille scale modelers will tell you straight away what we want is link and length tracks. I've watched Dragon's new kits steadily increase in quality from the coldly received Model 1940 T-34 through the Late model StuG IV. This is my first look at Dragon's Nashorn. I've seen some controversy online in various forums as to the accuracy and buildability of the this kit. The purpose of this blog will be to build the Dragon Nashorn as close to OOB as possible while pointing out any errors I find along the way. These include error in instructions and accuracy of the kit as well as fit of parts. I plan to concentrate most on the buildability and what's in the box. There may be some accuracy issues that get overlooked and please feel free to point them out to me, I am no expert on the Nashorn and will not pretend to be. I will use my references to the best of my ability and point out what I find as I go through the steps of building this kit. So let's build a 1/72 Nashorn.

Introduction Chapter 1 - The Parts Chapter 2 - Running Gear/Lower Hull Chapter 3 - PE or not to PE Chapter 4 - Starting the Upper Hull Chapter 5 - Fighting Compartment Beginnings Chapter 6 - The Gun Part 1 Chapter 7 - The Gun Part 2 Chapter 8 - The Gun Part 3 Chapter 9 - The Rear Hull Plate Chapter 10 - The Front Upper Hull Chapter 11 - Fighting Compartment Part 2 Chapter 12 - Fighting Compartment Part 3 Chapter 13 - Fighting Compartment Part 4 Chapter 14 - Painting Begins Chapter 15 - Tracks and Roadwheels Chapter 16 - Conclusions
[Discussion]

Chapter 10 - The Front Upper HullNov 23, 2005
Steps 6,7 and 8 all deal in some way with the front upper hull.

I've already added the round hatches at this point and it is time for the rest of the parts.

These are the jack, headlight, driver's visors, antenna mount and travel lock.

I've decided to leave off the travel lock until later so only the above mentioned parts go on.

Part A9 should be lowered on the hull side to a position more behind and just above the jack block. Dragon has this installed a little high on the hull side. The driver's visors follow the angle of the hull and shoud not be level with the top. They have a slightly downward angle when viewed from the front.

The only thing of note in this rather simple stage of assembly is the horrible front driver's visor/hatch. This is part A19 and it is far too small for the opening and quite a gap is left when it is installed closed. The only option to hide this would be install the hatch open. OOB this part should really not be used in the closed position.

I've installed mine that way in order to illustrate the poor fit. It is actually so bad that the part fell into the hull assembly once while I was lining it up. Lucky for me the engine intakes were still open and I was able to fish it out.

Note: In the pic the gun is in various stages of finishing and is just a dry fit at the moment.


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