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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 |
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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.
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| Chapter 16 - Conclusions | Dec 26, 2005 |
Well after not posting anything for awhile the end here is kinda anti-climactic.
I added the fiddly bits, and they are fiddly, they are also weak, and have some flash. In other words, the weakest parts on the kit (no pun intended) IMO are the final bits for the interior.
Parts C3 (4) are the worst and one of my MG mounts was broken on the sprue, the other broke while I was removing it. This is by no means a show stopper, just a pain. Plus C3(4), C17, and C8 all lack the crispness the rest of the kit has and these are very visible parts. You may decide trying to clean them up isn’t worth it and build your own.
Weathering was done the following way:
1) Base camo
2) Gloss coat
3) Decals
4) Wash using the “sludge wash” method
5) Flat coat
6) Sand colored filter
7) Polyscale “Dirt” to the lower hull, road wheels, and bottom of upper hull
8) Lightened dust coat
9) Dry Brush using Citadel “Bleached Bone”
10) Graphite rub
11) Final clear flat
Concerning accuracy; I tried to point out inaccuracies that caused a problem for me when I saw them, but feel free to post comments on ones I missed. I don’t want to mislead anyone. Everything pictured in this build complies with IPMS OOB rules *except* for 3 bits of copper wire and the MG. Copper was used for the grab handles on the doors, and the towing eye on the rear hull plate. The MG is a Dragon MG from the StuG IV Early kit.
In conclusion, I really liked the Dragon Nashorn and I had a good time with the build and painting. It makes an interesting piece on the shelf and it is a welcomed addition to my collection. I did not find anything to be terribly difficult in construction and the kit overall is fairly accurate. That doesn’t mean it was easy. Compared to the Trumpeter FAMO this kit is a breeze, but compare it to the Dragon Leopard and it is difficult. Dragon has given the modeler a 1/72 kit with some very fine detail. This means small parts and more difficult parts breakdown, but that comes with the territory. The more we Braille scale folks ask for 1/35 detail in a 1/72 package the more I expect we can see kits like this one. With finesse comes a certain amount of fiddly as well.
In my mind it all comes down to having fun and I did. I hope you liked the build and I hope that it might make yours a little easier and/or that much more enjoyable.
Cheers,
Christopher Wilson
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