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Introducing my interpretation of the 8.8cm Pak 43/1 (L/71) Auf Fgst Pz.Kpfw.III/IV (Sf) more commonly know as the Nashorn. The unit these powerful tank killers, is the s.Pz.Jg.Abt. 525 assigned to Herresgruppe Oberrhein during Operation Nordwind, January 1945. My model is one of the first kits to be released by DML/Dragon. I even mounted it right away, but it was idle for a long time, waiting for a decent paint scheme. The initial proposal was the model still carries a rought winter camouflage scheme of bold White criss-cross stripes over what appears to be a Summer three colour camouflage. The problem was that the 3 camouflage paint was so good that the winter camouflage idea had to be abandoned. In model making, it is sometimes better to err by omission than to err on the side of excess. In the painting, I tried to make the camouflage pattern of the model, with the same typical appearance for the vehicles of this battalion. The driver at his workstation. In this closer image, you can see in more detail the damaged fender.....result of battle damage or bad driver? You can comment what you think... Following the official 3-digit system the vehicle’s number is carried on the superstructure side and the shield of the main gun in solid black. The number was painted onto the left hand portion only of the shield as see here. Chose for this model the early type Pzkw III drive sprocket. I glued the driver in the final position, where he will interact with other figures in a diorama scene, in which Nashorn is a part. In this image, the long barrel of the Pak 43 seems to have no end. The Panzercrew in Field Grey uniform. In the early war years Panzerjager crewman allocated to armoured vehicles were issued the Black panzer uniform as worn by tank crews. By 1942 the Black panzer uniforms were gradually replaced by a Field-grey version as worn by the personnel of the artillery’s assault gun battalions. The shoulder straps they are piped in the Pink branch colour or Waffenfarbe. Heer national emblem, worn on the M43 panzer Field cap and headphone set. In the next photos the model is without the rear doors, so we can have a better view on the details of the deadly 8.8cm Panzerabwehrkanone 43/1 antitank gun inside the combat compartment. The Nashorn with its wide open rear doors. The choice of the open position is obvious due to the diorama scene in which the model will be part. The vehicle’s number was usually repeated at the rear of the fighting compartment as shown here. The battalion’s unit insignia of a Lion standing on a stylised tracked vehicle as show at left. Note the kill markings on the barrel near the muzzle brake. The barrel of the gun was painted with Tamiya acrylic and weathered to give it the look of the German panzer grey. A close-up view of the muzzle brake and the realistic effect of a good paint job. I believe that metallic enamel paints have a better finishing performance than their acrylic counterparts. The model already in its diorama, anticipating what's to come....Assembling and painting this model was a lot of fun. The best part of the game was to design and make a diorama for this remarkable model. As soon as everything is ready, I will post the complete diorama scenario on this forum. Best regards, Fábio.