Military Illustrated Modeller – August 2019

 Military Illustrated Modeller - August 2019

KIT PREVIEW TAMIYA 1:35 15CM SCHWERE PANZERHAUBITZE 18/1 FAHRGESTELL

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SCHWERE

PANZERHAUBITZE IN 1:35

Tamiya's almost all-new late-production Hummel uses

only a few parts from the previous Nashorn kit

F

ollowing the sudden cessation of the advance

of the troops on the Russian front at the end

of 1941, the German General Staff ordered

the development of a multi-purpose platform

that could mount a cannon to support the infantry

and eventually destroy enemy armoured vehicles.

As an stop-gap solution, it was decided in April

1942 to design a smaller self-propelled gun, using

a Pz.Kpfw.III/IV hybrid chassis on which the 15cm

sFH18/1 howitzer was installed. Named 'Hummel'

(bumble bee), it entered service in early 1943 and

was produced until 1945 (a total 705 machines in

all). Late production vehicles (after February 1944)

had a larger and better integrated driver's station.

It is a late-model variant that is replicated by

this almost completely new kit from Tamiya. With

the exception of the chassis and running gear

(shared as in reality with those of Tamiya's 2014

Nashorn) everything else is newly-tooled. Tamiya

even took into account the return rollers and

sprockets specific to Hummel.

Perhaps the most appreciated new parts are

the tracks, which now consist of links and lengths

in standard kit plastic, much more realistic than

the soft vinyl items found in the Nashorn's kit box.

The sagging effect between the return rollers is

particularly well rendered with the new mouldings.

The inside of the hull is empty (even though all

doors can be installed open), but of course the open

fighting compartment is packed with detail, centring

on the fully reproduced 105mm howitzer. Its

assembly is carried out over no less than ten stages,

with certain elements being assembled using micro-

screws (screwdriver provided) to allow the 'aiming'

of the gun, as well as the recoil of the tube.

The recuperator and the elevation pistons are

functional and the movement of the viewfinder

is coordinated with that of the barrel. The latter

consists of two halves split longitudinally. Their

fit is perfect and the sanding of the join-lines

promises to be minimal. An optional aluminium

barrel (below) has been created by Tamiya

(12688) which features a superb rifling pattern.

The fighting compartment's armour panels

are nicely in scale and the rear doors can be

attached in the open position. The ammunition

boxes, machine gun and barrel-swab take their

places inside. In the latest productions (Archer,

Wespe, Achilles, Sheridan), Tamiya has included

new, original figures of top quality and this is very

much the case with the Hummel. Three artillerymen

are depicted busily replenishing the ammunition;

boxes, shells and propellant cartridges (with their

decal markings) are all provided as standard.

Everything you need to make a neat diorama is

in the box! Tamiya once again has given us a

beautiful model that is precise, highly detailed and

easy to assemble. U

Tamiya have released a lathe-turned aluminium gun barrel for the new Hummel (12688) and it includes realistic rifling detail in the muzzle, plus no cement seams. Available to purchase separately

MODELSPEC

TAMIYA 1:35 SD.KFZ.165 HUMMEL KIT NO 35367

Materials:

Injection-moulded sand-coloured polystyrene, polycaps, metal pin,

micro-screws, nylon cord, screwdriver, waterslide decals

Availability;

Tamiya models, accessories, paints and materials are widely available

from good model shops and online. UK import and distribution by

The Hobby Company Limited; http://www.hobbyco.net