The Modelling News: Preview: New Hummels, "Early" & "Late" from Border Models in 1/35th scale...

Border Model have a few new kits coming down the pipeline. A 1/35th Spitfire, German tank riders, a Tiger I & these two - "Early" & "Late" production Hummels. We have some scant information in our preview for you...

Preview: New Hummels, "Early" & "Late" from Border Models in 1/35th scale...

The subject: The 15cm s.FH 18/1 Hummel Sd. Kfz. 165

The Hummel (Sd.Kfz.165) was a self-propelled howitzer from the Second World War designed and used by the Germans. The first prototypes of the vehicle were created in 1942, and serial production continued in the period 1943-1945, ending with the production of about 700 vehicles. The Hummel was powered by a single engine Maybach HL 120 TRM with a power of 300 hp . It was armed with a 150 mm sFH 18 howitzer and 1 7.92 mm MG 34 machine gun.

Hummel SPG (early production version) kept at the Deutsches Panzermuseum, the German Tank Museum, Munster, Germany

The Hummel was created as a self-propelled howitzer to cooperate with tanks and mechanized infantry in German armored divisions and armored grenadiers. Its chassis was based on elements taken from the tanks: PzKpfw III Ausf J and PzKpfw IV Ausf F.

The "Early Hummel with rear doors opened up.

The fighting compartment was located at the rear of the fuselage, the engine was placed in the middle, and the driver and radio operator in the front. Only one version of the Hummel howitzer was created, but in later production series the hull was slightly lengthened, which gave more space for the crew in the front of the vehicle. The Hummel is considered one of the best German self-propelled howitzers of the Second World War.

Sd.Kfz.165 Panzerhaubitze Hummel in Budapest captured by the Soviets

Their serial production took place at the Deutsche Eisenwerke plants in Duisburg. The vehicle was used in combat for the first time on the Eastern Front in 1943, and it entered operation on a large scale during the Battle of the Kursk (July 1943), but it quickly found its way to both the Italian front and - from 1944 - western front.

"Early" (note the muffler on the rear hull) Hummel in a battery at work...

The "Early" & "Late" Hummel differences:

To identify the difference between an early and late production Hummel, simply look at the top front superstructure on the tank chassis. If there is a separate armoured elevated box on the left side of the vehicle in the driver's position. It is an early production vehicle. If there is a raised box that spans the entire width of the hull, it is a late production model.

A "Hummel" - late version (note no large muffler on the rear) with opened tailgate on snowy, stony ground in Russia, January. 1944.

On the rear of the hull, check for the large exhaust muffler/silencer box under the vehicle's two little hinged doors at the back. You're looking at an early production car if you see one. It was removed from the latter version Hummels.

A SdKfz 165 Hummel (late production version), at the Musée des Blindés, in France. The larger armoured box squared above the driver & radioman is the tell-tale here.