Sd.Kfz 166 Sturmpanzer Brummbar

Italeri 1/72 Scale

Reviewed by Glen Porter

Summary

A Brief History

Introduced in 1943, the Brummbar was a 150mm Howitzer in a fixer box type fighting compartment on a Panzer IV chassis. Designed as an Infantry Support Assault Gun, it had many modifications and by the end of production 306 vehicles had been built.

FirstLook

This is, of course, the ex-Esci kit and as far as I know, the only one in this scale. Not having built this kit myself, I sought out Doug Chaultry's review on “On The Way” website. He believed it was one of Esci's better kits with a high level of accuracy and detail.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

There are only a few small niggling issues such as overly long front guards, some moulded-on tools, inaccurate drive gear and thick styrene schurzen.

It comes with a complete or almost complete Panzer IV which, I am told, is not one of the better models of the Panzer IV available today. Consequently, there are 27 of the 179 parts that will go into the spares box. It also comes with two figures which are apparently the same two included in most of Esci's Panzer kits, however, they are quite well moulded and detailed, so should be of use.

Sprue “A” has the lower hull centre section, road wheels, Panzer IV upper hull (not for use) and a few other small bits and pieces.

“B” carries most of the Panzer IV bits such as the turret which are not used plus the lower hull side panels, figures, tools, spare tracks and drive wheels.

Sprue “C” is the L&L hard plastic tracks. These appear to be the standard Esci Panzer IV track sprue now moulded in metallic grey plastic with very little detail on the inside, but they are still better than rubber bands.

Sprue “D” is the new one for the Brummbar and includes upper hull, gun, Schurtzen plates and mounts, correct idler wheels and spare wheels and mounts.

A small decal sheet is included with one pair of crosses and three white numbers.

The vehicles represented in this kit are:

• St.Pz.Abt. 216, Italy 1944-1945, White 3 with over-all Dark Yellow and Red Brown wavy lines.

• St.Pz.Abt. 217, Caen (Normandie), July 1944, in the 3 colour scheme.

• St.Pz.Abt. 216, Italy, 1944-1945, in over-all Dark Yellow with Olive Green wavy lines.

• St.Pz.Abt. 218, Warsar, August 1944, in over-all Dark Yellow.

Conclusion

Most small scale armour modellers appreciate the fact that Italeri are re-releasing this old Esci kits, as many of them are very good even by today’s standards and are unique in the scale. This one hasn't been seen for a long time and is therefore doubly welcome.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Italeri for the review sample.