Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/72 Scale Armor Pro Kit No. 7244; Sd.Kfz.. 165 Hummel Early Version; 168 parts (146 in grey stryene, 18 etched brass, 2 in DS plastic, 2 pre-bent wire); price US $11.95

Advantages: new, fresh kit of this vehicle using the excellent chassis parts from the two previous Nashorn/Hornisse kits; gun captures chunky look of the original

Disadvantages: may have some shared parts from the other kits which are not quite precisely suited to the Hummel

Rating: Highly Recommended

Recommendation: for all German and artillery fans

Last summer DML released a pair of Sd.Kfz. 164 kits, first a Hornisse and then the later Nashorn, using the Gw III/IV chassis. The kits apparently proved popular, and now the first of the Sd.Kfz. 165 Hummel kits using the same chassis has been released.

This is the early model "pulpit" style driver's compartment version, and the main difference between it and the 164s is the 15 cm gun and mount. The new gun comprises 23 parts, several of which meet my RP (right puny) criteria and will need to be handled with care.

I am no expert on the Hummel but the interior seems a bit spartan and I see no sights or other kit for the Hummel which I recall being there, so am sure someone will come to the rescue later on. However, what is provided seems accurate according to the references I have, so if DML has committed any mistakes they are those of omission and not commission, which is easier to fix later on.

The kit comes with pre-bent spare wheel brackets from wire as well as a choice of etched brass or plastic radiator exhaust grilles on the sides of the casemate. It also uses DML's DS plastic tracks, which are cut a bit long to allow for sag.

Decals and finishing options are provided for five guns: unidentified, Eastern Front1944; two from "Das Reich," Normandy 1944; unidentified, Eastern Front Winter 1944; and one from the 5th Panzer Division, Russia 1944.

Overall this is a nice kit and shows DML continues to meet the needs of small scale modelers.

Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.

- Cookie Sewell