DRAGON
Series – ARMOR
DRR 60188 – NASHORN (SdKfz 164)
s.H.Pz.Jg.Abt.88,
“Red Hart”, Eastern Front 1944
Die Cast & Plastic
1:72 Scale
Retails for $27.00 (highly detailed open top fighting compartment models by Dragon are substantially more expensive compare to other models from this line. Even after price increase on other Dragon Armor models these models still have 27% higher dealers cost)
Sale Price $18.99
Released in November 2006
Discounts are available for regular customers and if purchased along with other military model(s) please inquire.
The gun rotates and elevates
“As an open-topped vehicle, there is a host of detail visible inside the fighting compartment, and details have been faithfully reproduced and painted realistically.”
"This model is painted in a two-tone camouflage scheme with a distinctive unit insignia of 3./s.H.Pz.Jg.Abt.88 fighting on the Eastern Front in the autumn of 1944. This brand new item is finely weathered and fully detailed.
Main Features:
- Accurate Nashorn mold with full details
- True-scale model
- Historically accurate two-tone camouflage pattern
- Detailed and weathered track links
- Includes display case
- Pre-assembled
About the Nashorn:
The rhinoceros, a native of Africa, is identifiable by its mighty and dangerous horn. On the other hand, a Nashorn (German for rhinoceros) is identifiable by its long and lethal 88mm Pak 43/1 L/71 gun. When the earlier Hornisse tank hunter (a Panzer IV reincarnated with an 88mm gun mounted centrally in a lightly armored superstructure) was modified with this newer gun and a revised driver’s front plate, it also received the new name of Nashorn, at Hitler’s request." source www.dragonmodelsusa.com
About the battle Vehicle
Designation
8.8cm PaK43/1 (L/71) auf Geschutzwagen III und IV (Sf) (SdKfz 164)
Other designations: Nashorn (Rhinoceros), Hornisse (Hornet)
Manufacturer: Deutsche-Eisenwerke
Production: 494 units from February 1943 to March 1945
Crew: 4
Weight: 24 (t) / 5,160 lb
L 8.44 m; W 2.86 m; H 2.65 m.
Speed: 42 km/h / 25.5 mph
Range: 215 km
Armament: 8.8 cm PaK43/1 L/71 and one 7.92mm MG34
Armor [Front; Side; Rear; Top (mm/degree)] – Hull 10/37; 10/16; 10/10; Open. Superstructure 30/20; 20/0; 20/10; 15/90. Gun Shield 10/37.
History:
By the beginning of 1942, after encountering T-34 and Heavy KV-1 tanks on the Eastern Front, Germans found that the only truly effective weapon that they had at that time against these tanks was 8.8cm dual-purpose gun, arguably the most effective anti-tank gun of WW II. However, to support their tank army they need grater mobility and on a battlefield better protection for a gun crew. By late 1942 the need was desperate and in order to spare the time it was decided to mount a gun on Pz III and IV.
The initial order was for 500 units with first 100 to be ready by May 1943 (estimated time for German 1943 Summer offensive on the Eastern Front). By the end of the war 494 units were completed, production stopped in March 1945. Originally the weapon was named Hornisse (Hornet) but latter known as Nashorn (Rhinoceros) pronaunce Nahz-horn. At the same time in order to provide a heavy-artillery support to armored units Alket was working on the project to adopt Pz III and Pz IV chassis for mounting heavy haubitze / howitzer. This self-propelled gun becomes known as the Hummel (SdKfz 165). The same design was used to produce Hashorn/Hornisse but instead of 15cm howitzer it was armed with the 8.8cm dual-purpose gun.
Pz IV lengthened hull was used as basic design but the engine was moved to center position. Suspension was of Pz IV but different spacing between components. The open top fighting compartment was constructed of slanted armor plates bolted to the hull. The glacis plate was extended and a compartment for the driver was fitted on it. This was redesigned on “late” production models produced from early 1944. The crew compartment for a driver and radio operator was built if form similar to Pz IV superstructure. The vehicle has very high silhouette due to its gun was mounted in a middle above the engine.
All units were issued to heavy independed detachments sPzJgdAbt to a Korps or Armee in order to provide a mobile highly effective anti-tank force. In all six battalions were formed with first saw a combat on the Eastern Front in the summer of 1943. Battalions saw action in Italy and on both East and West Fronts.
SPG was rather high and very difficult to conceal due to its high silhoutte. The SPG was very vulnerable due to its poor armor protection and in order to compensate this weakness units need to be positioned farther back from a front line.
In other hand the killing power of 8.8cm gun was outstanding. In addition it was relatively inexpensive and easy to produce.
*This product represents a subject from a specific period in history. It may contain details, equipment, uniform and / or vehicles that include insignia or marking that some could find offensive. All insignia and emblems are included to maintain complete historical accuracy. The inclusion of these insignia and emblems / markings is no way an endorsement or approval of the activities associated with the subject matter at any time or manner.
**Age over 14 collectable item.
***Dragon Armor USA website
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