Even though the abundance of WWII German kits bothers me a lot, I am amazed at the quality of new kits.
So the new Sd.Kfz.164 Nashorn kits caught my eyes and can you offer your 2 cents on which kit is better? AFV 35614 or DML 6386 kit?

From the reviews I read, I got the feeling that AFV kit has less parts and maybe simpler to build. On the other hand, DML Nashorn has more parts and little detailed parts. As to accuracy, all reviews praised how great both kits were. Pricing-wise, there were good deals online both in the range of mid $40s. So which one do you recommend?

I have 6314 in the stash which looks to be a very nice kit with good detail, but the "rivet counters" have issues with the fighting compartment interior, which is said to be more accurate in the more recent (6386) DML Nashorn release.

I can't see myself ever building more than one Nashorn and I'm not really a rivet-counter, so I'll probably just stick with 6314 now, rather than "trade up" for a 6386 or buy another Nashorn kit add to the one I already have. But if I were in the market for one now, I'd probably go for the AFV Club kit, which has had rave reviews and is (probably) an easier build.

At all costs avoid 6001 like the plague. I believe this was their very first stab at a WWII German subject in 1/35 and it's the dog of dogs. But you probably already know that.


- Steve

James;

I second Steve - as 1) having 1 Nashorn kit, and 2) probably going to do that one or none- time and life being limited and stash big!

I have the Dragon 6386 kit - really really nice stuff in the box, and it has been well-reviewed to yield an accurate and detailed build. It's a packed box and lots of details (and lots of options and choices).

The AFV Club kit has enjoyed rave reviews for its quality, accuracy,etc. And it MAY (I don't know, so...) be easier to assemble, while giving super good detail.

I personally think that having somewhat fewer parts is not much of a "savings"- either I add in those details as parts or have them as molded-ons to hi-light - to me, the Nashorn is both iconic and cool, and looks to be a BIG paint-job, regardless of more or fewer bits to glue!

As they seem to come in at similar cost now-a-days, it may be more which pops into sight first... You will be happy with either one, I am sure!

In some prior life, I would have one of each. But I look forward to maybe building the one Dragon I have and looking at other's AFV Club builds (probably with envy and whist that they look so good!).

Oh, and, to continue off Steve's point about Dragon 6001.... DO skip it. Get the 6324, 6386, or AFV Club kits- skip all the others as they need more effort to get where you may want to be, and you'll likely end up spending some or even a lot more dough to get there!

This-all's just MY opinion, of course!

Cheers!

Bob

Steve and Bob,
I appreciate you two taking time to reply back to my post. Your comments definitely helped me with a decision to purchase the AFV Club kit. Hopefully, I will get to build it soon.