Sd.Kfz. 234/3 Schwerer Panzerspaehwagen (7.5 cm)Reviewed by Cookie Sewell
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Stock Number and Description | Dragon Models Limited 1/35 Scale ‘39-‘45 Series Kit No. 6257; Sd.Kfz. 234/3 Schwerer Panzerspaehwagen (7.5 cm) |
Scale: | 1/35 |
Media and Contents: | 573 parts (530 in grey styrene, 22 clear styrene, 17 etched brass, 4 turned brass) |
Price: | price estimated at US $40.00-45.00. Will be available online from Mission Models |
Review Type: | First Look |
Advantages: | New, well detailed and very complete kit of this popular vehicle completes the series; complex driveline appears to be fully replicated; includes fighting compartment interior |
Disadvantages: | Side bins and lower hull access doors molded in closed positions; engine bay will be difficult to open up |
Recommendation: | Highly Recommended to all German armor and wheeled vehicle fans |
FirstLook
After nearly one year since the last release (the Sd.Kfz. 234/2
"Puma", kit No. 6256) Dragon has now completed their totally new
series of Sd.Kfz. 234 heavy armored cars with the "Stroke 3"
variant.
As with the first three kits, the Germans continued their prewar
designs throughout the war, and the Sd.Kfz. 231 heavy eight-wheeled
armored car series was replaced by the Sd.Kfz. 234 series beginning
in September 1943. Four different vehicles were produced in this
series:
Sd.Kfz. 234/1 (Geraet 95) 200 built 2 cm cannon/7.92mm MG in
open turret
(built Jun 44 - Jan 45)
Sd.Kfz. 234/2 (Geraet 93) 101 built 5 cm gun/7.92mm MG in closed turret (also called the Puma) (built Sep 43 - Sep 44)
Sd.Kfz. 234/3 (Geraet 94) 88 built 7.5 cm L/24 in open mount
(built Jun 44 - Dec 44)
Sd.Kfz. 234/4 (Geraet 96) 89 built 7.5 cm Pak 40 in open mount
(built Dec 44 - Mar 45)
The "Stroke 3" was designed for use
as a heavy armored that would at least have sufficient firepower to
deal with most unfortunate encounters. But by that stage of the war,
and even with the advent of hollow charge ammunition, it was too
light to have much effect on enemy forces. Ergo it was quickly
replaced in production by the very heavy Sd.Kfz. 234/4 with the
long-barreled PaK 40 7.5 cm antitank gun.
As with all of the 234s the "Stroke 3" was fast (80 kph/48 mph),
moderately well armed, and had a long range (900 km/560 miles).
Armor provided proof against small arms of 7.62mm caliber and shell
fragments. Since its Tatra 103 engine was a 12-cylinder air-cooled
diesel, it had a major advantage over other nations' armored cars.
Dragon has once again played "mix and match" with this kit, offering
some 98 new or replacement parts to convert the kit basic parts to
the "Stroke 3;" they have also tweaked some of the other molds from
earlier kits. The gun here comes from their recent line of Pzkw. IV
tanks (Ausf. B-E) and provides the basics for the gun, with new
moldings adapting the L/24 gun to the 234 chassis. A new sprue of
clear parts from one of the other recent kits (alas, I forget just
which one) provides the periscopic sight as a clear part for the
L/24 gun.
Also new to this kit is a set of three "street" tires with sectional
tread, using the now optional DML "sandwich" method of assembly to
get sufficient tread depth. Six sections are used to create each
tire, and these tires can then be used to replace the stock tires
that have been used in the other three kits. These are featured on
the box art and they offer some variety in the model.
The etched brass has been minimized in this kit, and most of the
parts provided are either tie-down fasteners or the centers for the
six "jerry" cans. There are no brass parts for the engine access
vents.
Once again however the fenders are molded "solid" with four stowage
that have their doors closed.
The suspension and interior are beautifully rendered and this
version even includes the "jump" seats for the gun crew which can be
built as folded up or down. Ammo racks with separate rounds are
provided for the interior.
Finishing options are provided for three vehicles: 226. Aufklaerungs
Abt., 116th Panzer Division, Normandy 1944 (tricolor patches);
"Ulrich von Hutten" Division, Germany 1945 (tricolor patches);
Unidentified Unit, Normandy 1944 (sand brown overall). Two Cartograf
decal sheets are provided, one targeted and one generic number
plates and serial numbers.
This project was supervised by Hirohisa Takada, with technical
drawings by Shin Okada and technical help from Tom Cockle and Gary
Edmundson.
Overall this is a great series from DML and now the four vehicles
are complete.
A 3 234/1 upper hull components
B 66 x 3 234 generic wheels and tires
C 19 234/1 interior details
D 43 x 2 234 suspension components
E 77 234 Generic details - engine/transmission
F 1 234 Generic Lower hull
G 1 234 Generic Running gear spine
H 34 234/3 interior parts and shield
J 36 234/3 gun and ammunition parts
J 10 clear styrene
L 19 Pzkw. IV L/24 gun parts
K 18 234 Generic "highway" tires
W 6x2 Clear styrene
MA 17 Etched Brass
MC 4 Turned brass
TF 10 German Tools (fender poles)
TG 10 German Tools (shovels and fire extinguishers)
TH 14 German lights and jack
TJ 6 German Tools (jack)
WC 8 German Weapons - MG34/MG42 machine guns
Thanks to
Freddie Leung for the review sample.