The kit contains six marking choices in the box.
The Subject: Sd.Kfz.234/1 Schwerer Panzerspahwagen.
The Sd.Kfz. 234 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug 234 – or Special Purpose Vehicle 234) was a family of armored cars designed and built in Germany during World War II. These vehicles featured light armor, were armed with 20, 50, or 75 mm main guns, and were powered by a Tatra V12 diesel engine. The Sd.Kfz. 234 closely resembled the appearance of the Sd.Kfz. 231 (8 rad).
The cover girl of this boxing, this Sd.Kfz.234/1 Schwerer Panzerspahwagen was photographed near Lippstadt in April 1945.
Development of armored wheeled vehicles began in Germany after World War I, as they were not subject to the restrictions of the Versailles Treaty. The Sd.Kfz. 234 belonged to the ARK series (chassis type designation) and succeeded the earlier Sd.Kfz. 231/232/233/263 (8-Rad), which were part of the GS series.
A canvas cover over the turret area of this vehicle is of not also…
During the Wehrmacht’s early invasions of Poland and France, the combat experience with fast-moving, hard-hitting wheeled reconnaissance vehicles highlighted deficiencies in existing designs. In response, a new armored car project was initiated in August 1940, incorporating lessons from the Wehrmacht’s external operations. The Sd.Kfz. 234, based on the Bussing-NAG Sd.Kfz. 232 variant, featured a monocoque chassis with eight wheels and an air-cooled engine suitable for North African conditions.
An Sd.Kfz. 234/1 reconnaissance vehicle in a town square during WWII
Chassis construction took place at Bussing-NAG in Leipzig-Wahren, while Deutsche Edelstahlwerke of Krefeld provided the armored bodies and Daimler Benz in Berlin-Marienfelde and Schichau of Elbing supplied the turrets. The engines came from Ringhoffer-Tatra-Werke AG of Nesselsdorf.
After the action, this vehicle was captured nin a photograph, note the damage at the rear of the vehicle.
This vehicle is (stated) to be seen in or around Paris. Of note are the canvas covers over the partially opened turret and the headlights on the front of this vehicle.
The prototype trials began around July 1942. Due to excessive noise from the initial engine, a second model–the Tatra 103–was developed. The Sd.Kfz. 234 became the first and only German armored vehicle to use an air-cooled diesel engine. Although originally intended as a temporary solution until a better engine design for harsh tropical climates could be developed, the Tatra 103 remained in use until the end of production. The vehicle featured eight-wheel steering and a second, rear-facing driver’s seat, allowing for quick changes in direction. Its transmission had six forward and reverse gears, providing traction across all eight wheels
Sd.Kfz. 234/1 reconnaissance vehicle with its 20mm armament at maximum elevation.
This Sd.Kfz.234/1 Schwerer Panzerspahwagen was the second version of the Sd.Kfz. 234. It was in production from mid-1944 until the end of World War II. Similar to early reconnaissance vehicles, it featured a turret capable of 360-degree rotation, housing a 2 cm KwK 38 cannon and a coaxial 7.92 mm MG 42. The turret that could also be elevated up to +70deg for anti-aircraft use. Protective grilles on the left and right guarded against thrown explosive devices. Unlike the early Sd.Kfz. 222 and Sd.Kfz. 250/9, this turret lacked a base. The 2 cm KwK 38, known as the ‘Hangelafette 38,’ had been developed in April 1940. The silhouette of the vehicle was lowered due to the use of the 2 cm turret. Initially, half of the new vehicles were to be armed with the 2 cm gun, while the other half would carry the 7.5 cm armament (Sd.Kfz. 234/3) starting in April 1944. However, the ratio changed to 13 Sd.Kfz. 234/1 to three Sd.Kfz. 234/3 in March 1944. Production delays pushed the start date to June 1944, and by October, the ratio was adjusted to seven Sd.Kfz. 234/3 and nine Sd.Kfz. 234/1. Sd.Kfz. 234/1 production continued until the war’s end, resulting in approximately 200 to 230 completed vehicles by March 1945
These photos were used in the research of this kit…
The kit: MiniArt’s Sd.Kfz.234/1 Schwerer Panzerspahwagen. Early Mod. Interior Kit
This kit is a continuation on of the Sdkfz 234/1 line with this full interiror kit. The main changes being the gun and turret that houses it, along with the interior ammo storage changes.
We have some nice CADs of this kit providing some details of the makeup of the model. A walk around of the whole armoured car, with the golden parts representing the photo-etch.
The open turret of the Sd.Kfz.234/1 Schwerer Panzerspahwagen with the simpler, open turret (Hangelafette 38) armed with a 2 cm KwK 38 gun
The turret is enclosed with the mesh grille for keeping not only the elements (and some hand grenades) out, but to give partial coverage for the weather. The only thing one would need to add to this (if they desired) would be a canvas cover
The underside of the gun and turret.
The vehicle from the front and rear. You can see the full engine bay including etch that replicates the wiring. This comes as standard, with no aftermarket really needed to depict the complete bay.
The interior of the vehicle is offered with this kit, the full engine and twin steering positions are of note.
A view of the lower hull, tyres and suspension, showing the complex running gear of this vehicle and the independent, turntable axles.
from the inside of the hull you can see the realisticly represented hatches that open and close
You can also show the engine fully removed of course, but with heaps of internals fully formed such as the fuel tanks and radiator etc. Every compartment is filled out neatly, radios & crew compartment add to the full 4,825 cc (905 in3) Tatra 103 V12 diesel with 157 kW (211 hp) engine. It shows the ignition and wiring harnesses, you can see that MiniArt has supplied all of this inside the box.
The RT gear is imortant on a ehicle like this, and it is included in this full interior kit
We are looking for ward to this addition to the 234 fleet from MiniArt – due next month…
This kit is due for release in a month’s time