[chascbv]

Originally Posted by ChairmanMilo

I'm seriously thinking about getting that Hornisse (#60060) now. I recently read all three of the Mark Zuehlke books about Canadians fighting on the Italian Front during WW2 ("Ortona", "The Liri Valley" and "The Gothic Line") and I've seen a few photos of knocked-out Hornisses - enough to strike up some interest

Hello, Chairman Milo. Yes. it was the 1st Canadian Corps that finally "liberated" Pontecorvo - the village where "black 211" was photographed in March - on May 24-25, 1944. Now, if you're interested in this Hornisse you better hurry up, as I've read somewhere that these beauties almost sold out.

[DirtyACE]

Originally Posted by chascbv

Hello, Chairman Milo. Yes. it was the 1st Canadian Corps that finally "liberated" Pontecorvo - the village where "black 211" was photographed in March - on May 24-25, 1944. Now, if you're interested in this Hornisse you better hurry up, as I've read somewhere that these beauties almost sold out.

You're right. That particular Hornisse is getting harder and harder to find. I know of some places that were sold out of them very quickly and haven't been able to get anymore since.

On a side note. Would be nice if Dragon or Cyber Hobby released Albert Ernst's Hornisse. I read the chapter on him from the Panzer Aces book. I believe he was the top ace for this particular tank destroyer.

[tankguy]

That is an excellent idea, DirtyAce. I, too, read that chapter of Panzer Aces and found it thrilling reading, especially their account of sneaking into the Russian held village to destroy their captured Hornisse. The pics in the book show this vehicle to be white washed with the name "Puma" on the side, iirc. As no white Hornisse has been done, this would be a great vehicle to model it on. Also, I believe Dragon has already done this vehicle in 144 scale.

[chascbv]

I too find it an excellent idea, DirtyACE and Tankguy.

The vehicle could certainly be painted white, as shown by photographs available of sPzJgAbt 519, but I believe Albert Ernst's mount was not "Puma" but "Büffel", according to what I've read. Anyway, I've seen pictures and profiles of "Puma" and "Tiger", and they both use the same lettering for the name, so "Büffel" could be easily replicated. (I don't remember having seen a picture of "Büffel" before...?)

[chascbv]

To supplement my previous note on the Hornisse I have in my collection, here is my favourite "Nashorn" proper, that is, the late model of this beast (fortunately also in my collection!).

The model is of course very similar to the previous one, but appropriately reflects the mods seen in later vehicles. It is therefore another little gem no collector should do without. And, as a bonus, it comes with a striking paint scheme sporting a red heart on the sides.

This model represents a vehicle of sHPzJgAbt 88 at some point in the long retreat from Tarnopol, through Ukraine, almost across the Carpathians, and into Poland to the Wisla/Cracow region. This period encompasses a prolonged set of defensive battles that took place during the second half of 1944 under continuous harassment by the Red Army. The "Abteilung" received new "Nashörner" on several occasions during this period of time, and attrition was surely an issue.

Our rhinoceros was photographed in a... errr... somewhat embarrasing situation - having a poop bath! - somewhere on its way to Poland. I don't know where the enclosed picture was taken, but a dome and a spire may be seen in the background, suggesting a huge monument in some Ukrainian or Polish city. Maybe some architecture connoisseur amongst you can identify the place?

My conclusion, as with the Hornisse, is: If you still don't have this beauty, then go for it!

[DirtyACE]

For those of you who are curious about the black and white photo that chascbv posted of the Nashorn. I've seen the same photo on another forum. It is from a Russian book about tanks. You can't see it in this photo but there is a caption that was in the book which describes the situation. The caption reads:

"The bridge turned out to be a bit flimsy. A "Nashorn" from the 3rd company of the 88th battalion took a dive into the river. It is easy to recognize this self-propelled gun belonging to 3./s.H.Pz.Jg.Abt. 88 by the image of a heart, which is the symbol of the battalion. This photo was taken in Western Ukraine."

[chascbv]

Originally Posted by DirtyACE

For those of you who are curious about the black and white photo that chascbv posted of the Nashorn. I've seen the same photo on another forum. It is from a Russian book about tanks. You can't see it in this photo but there is a caption that was in the book which describes the situation. The caption reads:

"The bridge turned out to be a bit flimsy. A "Nashorn" from the 3rd company of the 88th battalion took a dive into the river. It is easy to recognize this self-propelled gun belonging to 3./s.H.Pz.Jg.Abt. 88 by the image of a heart, which is the symbol of the battalion. This photo was taken in Western Ukraine."

Thank you, DirtyACE. Now we know the region! So the place could be Lvov or Tarnopol itself?

[ChairmanMilo]

Well, I managed to get a hold of 60060 for $9.99 US + 10.00 shipping. I'm rather pleased with myself for finding a deal like that. I have room on my shelf for one more SP (alongside all the other Panzer IV derivatives - Jagdpanzer IV/48 & IV/70, StuG IV, Nashorn, and Hummel).

If you want to see my collection, check out my thread in the collections forum: ChairmanMilo's Collection

[chascbv]

Originally Posted by ChairmanMilo

Well, I managed to get a hold of 60060 for $9.99 US + 10.00 shipping. I'm rather pleased with myself for finding a deal like that. I have room on my shelf for one more SP (alongside all the other Panzer IV derivatives - Jagdpanzer IV/48 & IV/70, StuG IV, Nashorn, and Hummel).

If you want to see my collection, check out my thread in the collections forum: ChairmanMilo's Collection

Wow, I just saw your collection, Chairman Milo, and started noticing a most strange hue building up on my skin and eyes... kinda greenish I'd say!

Also, you're mighty lucky with your purchases. Dragon 60060 is getting increasingly hard to get, especially at a bargain - or even a "normal" - price!

[chascbv]

After so much laughing and joking on Dragon's latest announcement - a green-capped Jagdtiger that hadn't left its hat on when first released - it is now only fair that we again pay due homage to this manufacturer, the one that virtually invented this hobby of ours, and now keeps it up and kicking with top-quality models such as this one: a StuG IV.

This release represents a late production version, and is as accurate and detailed as a 1/72 model can be. This little state-of -the-art gem for our shelves also exhibits a finely applied paint job, and has a lady's name on both sides of the "Saukopf" - Kunigunde. This vehicle is modelled from a real one that was photographed near Rimling (Rimlingen in German) in Alsace on January 15, 1945. As you can see, this portrait of Kunigunde depicts the lady at a time far removed from her prime!

The lack of zimmerit is correct for a late version StuG (and for Kunigunde herself!), and the vehicle belonged to SS-PzAbt 17, a unit in 17.SS-PzGrenDiv "Götz von Berlichingen". This division was involved in heavy fighting against the Americans in Alsace, as it took part in Operation Nordwind, the last German offensive in the West. This operation was destined to break through the US 7th Army, and did manage to push it back and into defensive positions. However, chronic lack of fuel, supplies, munition, etc., plus the arrival of reinforcements from the Ardennes, finally forced the Germans to withdraw across Alsace and into Bavaria.

See how Dragon has identified this unit as 17th Panzer Grenadier Division, and that the missing "SS" is nowhere to be found. I'm afraid this is not an error, as Dragon never mentions these notorious "runes" in any of their models, as far as I know. Maybe the term "SS" is also forbidden in some countries, as is the swastika?

To conclude: a gorgeous model of a broken lady!