COBI Hummel #2663 Guide: Build Steps and Display Tips

Quick answer

Build the COBI Panzerhaubitze Hummel #2663 in stages: sort the bags, assemble the hull and running gear first, then the fighting compartment and 1:28-scale gun, and finish with the tracks and exterior details. Work on a large, well-lit tray, keep the printed manual open, and plan a display spot before the final pieces go on.

What you need before the first brick

Set #2663 is a large 1:28-scale model, so give it more table space than a typical tank build. A rimmed tray or shallow box keeps loose parts from rolling onto the floor, and a small sorting cup for each bag makes the early steps faster.

The printed manual is your main reference. If a step looks ambiguous, compare the diagram with the actual part shape before forcing anything; COBI parts should seat with light pressure, not a hard push.

• Clear a table at least 60 cm wide so the hull and gun can sit side by side.
• Use a tray with a lip to catch dropped pieces.
• Keep the manual flat and turn pages only when the current step is complete.
• Have a small dish for tiny exterior details that are easy to lose.

Sorting bags and planning the build order

COBI kits usually number their bags, but the Hummel has several sub-assemblies that look similar in the manual. Open one bag group at a time and keep the rest sealed so you do not mix parts that belong to different stages.

Because this is a self-propelled gun, the hull, gun, and fighting compartment are separate assemblies that join later. Building them in the manual's order avoids rework and reduces the chance of a misaligned joint.

• Open only the bag group the manual calls for at that step.
• Separate long plates, small pins, and exterior details into different piles.
• Check the part count at the end of each bag group before moving on.
• Set aside any spare pieces in a labeled bag; do not force them into the model.

Building the hull and running gear

The lower hull is the foundation, so press each layer fully down before adding the next. On a 1:28 model, a single unseated plate can make the side armor sit unevenly later.

The running gear and suspension arms are the most repetitive part of the build. Do them in pairs, left and right, so you can compare the two sides as you go.

• Build the hull on a flat surface, not on carpet or a soft mat.
• Check that both sides of the hull are level before closing the top.
• Seat suspension arms fully; a half-pressed arm will throw off track alignment.
• Leave the top plates off until the interior structure is complete.

Assembling the fighting compartment and gun

The Hummel's open fighting compartment and large gun are the model's most recognizable features. Build the gun as a separate unit, then test-fit it into the mount before locking it down.

This is the stage where small alignment errors show up most. If the gun sits crooked, check the mount and the compartment walls rather than bending the barrel.

• Build the gun on its own, then test the elevation range before final placement.
• Keep the compartment walls square; a twisted wall will not meet the hull cleanly.
• Do not force the barrel into the mount; if it resists, a connector is reversed.
• Add interior details before closing the compartment sides.

Tracks, exterior details, and final checks

Tracks go on last because they are easy to knock loose while the hull is still being handled. Fit them gently and check that the wheels spin freely before you call the build done.

Exterior details such as tools, stowage, and markings are the final step. Add them after the model is on its display surface so you are not moving a finished model across the room.

• Fit tracks after the hull and gun are fully seated.
• Spin each wheel to confirm the track is not too tight.
• Add small exterior details last, over the tray, not over the floor.
• Do a final press-check on the hull sides and compartment before display.

Step-by-step build order for COBI Hummel #2663

1. 1. Sort and stage the parts: Open only the bag group the manual calls for, and separate long plates, pins, and small exterior details into different piles on a rimmed tray. Checkpoint: if you cannot find a part within a few seconds, stop and re-sort rather than substituting.
2. 2. Build the lower hull: Press each hull layer fully down on a flat surface before adding the next, and keep the two sides level as you go. Checkpoint: an unseated plate here will make the side armor sit unevenly later.
3. 3. Assemble the running gear in pairs: Build suspension arms left and right together so you can compare the two sides, and seat each arm fully. Checkpoint: a half-pressed arm will throw off track alignment at the end.
4. 4. Build the gun as a separate unit: Assemble the 1:28-scale gun on its own, then test-fit it into the mount before locking it down. Checkpoint: if the gun sits crooked, check the mount and compartment walls, not the barrel.
5. 5. Attach the fighting compartment: Keep the compartment walls square and add interior details before closing the sides. Checkpoint: a twisted wall will not meet the hull cleanly, so fix it before moving on.
6. 6. Fit the tracks: Install tracks after the hull and gun are fully seated, and spin each wheel to confirm the track is not too tight. Checkpoint: if a wheel will not spin, the track is too tight or a wheel is misaligned.
7. 7. Add exterior details and display: Place tools, stowage, and markings last, over the tray, then move the finished model to its display spot. Next step: dust with a soft brush and keep the model out of direct sun to protect the finish.

Product facts

• COBI Panzerhaubitze "Hummel" Sd.Kfz.165 Self-Propelled Gun : Set #2663: COBI Panzerhaubitze "Hummel" Sd.Kfz.165 Self-Propelled Gun is a large-scale 1:28 model that reproduces the distinctive silhouette of the German "Trzmiel" self-propelled gun. The 1:28 scale is why this build needs more table space and a slower, staged approach than a smaller tank kit.
• COBI Pz.Kpfw. VI Tiger Ausf. E Tank : Set #3124: COBI Pz.Kpfw. VI Tiger Ausf. E Tank is a 1:28-scale model of the Tiger with side number 114, based on the example at the Musée des Blindés in Saumur, France. If you already build 1:28 COBI armor, the Tiger gives you a same-scale companion piece to display next to the Hummel.
• COBI Sd.Kfz.8 Towing 8.8cm FLAK 36 Artillery Half-Track : Set #3143: COBI Sd.Kfz.8 Towing 8.8cm FLAK 36 Artillery Half-Track is a 1:28-scale set depicting the Sd.Kfz. 8 and 8.8 cm Flak 36 in a North Africa (DAK) configuration. A same-scale artillery tractor and gun makes a natural display pairing for the Hummel if you want a broader WWII artillery shelf.