Approaches to the
Kit
| From talking to other modellers, it
became evident that the biggest reason for delaying building this kit was uncertainty over
how to address its design limitations. This article explains how I replaced many kit
parts and added missing details to get the right look. I did not attempt
to correct flaws in the kit's overall shape (fenders, floor plate). Model Kasten,
produce a superb upgrade set for the Nashorn which only costs $NZ200 and was used by Brian
Wells in a recent Military Modelling article (vol. 28/12). The Commanders upgrade
set is poorly regarded. I used the Airwaves etched metal set, which was very disappointing,
providing only a few worthwhile parts, half of which I could have sourced from my spares
box, and vague instructions. In hindsight the Eduard set is cheaper and far better,
reflecting Eduard's attention to research and detail. Show Modelling also make an
etched set.
Information on the Nashorn is limited, the
best sources are Panzer at Saumur vol. 3 and the Military Modelling article by Brian
Wells. Other good sources are Gray's AFV web site and Tony Greenland's Military
Modelling item (Sept 89). Photos and line drawings show quite a few small
variances between vehicles. |
Construction
| The following outline what I did to
enhance the vehicle using what I had available. Each enhancement is based on at
least one of the listed references. In total I used parts from 2 detail sets, 5
other AFVs and 2 infantry sets plus some odds and ends. |
Front Glacis/Upper
Hull
- Added extra tie downs, one on each side of
vehicle in front of armour shields.
- Replaced cable stays with etched metal (can
be made out of thin brass scraps cut to length e.g. from the lengths around an engine
grille set).
- Replaced splash guard in front of driver's
visor with better shaped piece (used length cut from Panzer III fender mounting).
- Added wire from gun travel lock to conduit.
- Added spare track links using Tamiya links
(a perfect fit without sink marks can be obtained using 1 piece from Tamiya's StuG III and
1 from the Panzer IV OVE set).
Fenders
- Replaced Notek lamp with set from Tamiya
Panzer IV OVE set.
- Replaced jack with late style jack from
Tamiya Panzer IV OVE set.
- Enhanced fender hinge with fuse wire.
- Add jack block on right fender or as in my
case with etched metal brackets left empty.
Rear Plate
- Filled in gap between hull and armoured
superstructure with plastic card.
- Fitted late style convoy light from a
Jagdpanzer IV kit (common Shanghai Dragon spare).
Chassis
- Replaced drive sprockets with the spares
from Dragon StuG A (also in Panzer III E, H). The kit wheels are too thin for the
track links and are missing detail (improved a bit in later kits).
- Fitted front fenders after installing track
links, as there is insufficient clearance to do the reverse.
Gun
- Made no improvements, but recommend having a
good illustration to work from (e.g. Panzers at Saumur, Brian Wells article).
Interior Floor
- On left side added two fuel filler caps (top
¼ of gas mask canister) near ammunition racks.
Interior Front Bulkhead
- Added extra metal plates on left made from
scrap plastic.
- Replaced kit metal tube with part made from
plastic tube (salvaged from household cleaning product).
- Added metal screen from Airwaves set; not
seen on all Nashorns.
- Removed the last 20mm of the gun release
conduit and add fuse wire running from the conduit to 2/3 way up the release lever.
Interior (repeated for both
sides)
- Improved ammo rack hinges using etched metal
(hinges are common in these sets).
- Fitted metal wire to fill gap between ammo
racks and cast metal "L" fasteners.
- Added gas mask at front on lower panel which
is at 45 degrees to side (from infantry figure set).
- Replaced MG mounts with etched metal (could
thin kit parts).
- Fitted lifting hooks 1cm from rear on lower
step.
Interior Right (east)
- Fitted MG34 ammo box on raised horizontal
panel near aerial (from figure set).
- Added wire going from aerial to ammo box and
from ammo rack to radio.
- Replaced aerial mount with one spare from
DML StuG III.
- Added 3rd gas mask canister on front support
rib.
- Added box on front side used spare jack from
Italeri Panzer IV (could use a map case).
- Added head phone set from a tank crew figure
set.
Interior Left
- Added extra shelf in upper centre using a
cut down StuG III/Panzer III fender support.
- Added scissor style periscope using spare
from Dragon SiG.
- Added MG34 from Tamiya Panzer IV OVE detail
set.
Interior Rear
- Made door release mechanism out of a spare
Panzer IV crank rod.
- On east side added MP40 ammunition pouches
and MP40 on bracket made from scrap brass.
- On west side added signal pistol.
- Repositioned door handles to be near door
hinges
Painting
| Nashorn were produced during the period
when German AFV left the factory in dark yellow (dunkel gelb) and any camouflage was
applied by the troops in the field. It is common to see Nashorns with spray painted
green and/or brown camouflage schemes. In winter, the crews often applied
white wash. Nashorn's usually had the national cross on the side armour and no
tactical numbers. |
Summary
| With some good reference material, this
kit can be given a lot of detail and the right look using readily available parts. I found
the end result very satisfying. Adequate reference materials are available in
Wellington city library. When comparing the Nashorn to Dragon's latest kits its
evident how far they have come in 6 years. |
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