Autoblindo Pesante Tedesco Sd.Kfz. 234/4 (Pakwagen)

Airfix 1:76 Scale Vehicle Correction

Late war conversion of the standard autoblindo assigned to heavy reconnaissance companies, this vehicle mounted a cannone anticarro da 75 mm. Airfix shipped this vehicle in an incorrect version, using the hull of the Sd.Kfz. 231 instead of the 234. A noticeable difference between the due veicoli is the shape of the fenders. The problem can be corrected, using the fenders from the Matchbox Sd.Kfz. 234/2 (Puma) kit. Spare parts from both kits may be used to create un Sd.Kfz. 231 o 232 a 8 ruote, replacing the torretta del Puma con una torretta da 20 mm L/55 o 7.5 cm L/24

Heavy recon units packed some punch, they were equipped con autoblindi a 8 ruote carrying 5 cm e 7.5 cm guns con good armour penetration capabilities. The long cannone anticarro da 75 mm PaK 40 was a very accurate e reliable weapon, capable of penetrating the frontal torretta armour of carri armati Sherman e T-34 at ranges up to 1500 meters.

Conversioni Possibili

Sd.Kfz. 234/4 schwerer Panzerspähwagen

Tipo: Autoblindo pesante, 8x8
Wheelbase: 2.75 m (1.35 m bogie)
Lunghezza: 6.02 m
Larghezza: 2.36 m
Altezza: 2.29 m
Peso: 11 t
Armamentoo: 7.5 cm L.46 PaK 40
Equipaggio: capocarro, cannoniere, guidatore, caricatore
Note: Rear driving position removed

Pakwagen

The turretless design of this particular vehicle was an emergency measure to increase the number of mobile cannone anticarro in 1945, appropriately called Pakwagen. The design had a number of disadvantages in combat: To accomodate the larger gun mount, the rear driving position had to be eliminated, reducing the vehicle’s tactical maneuverability. The fighting compartment was very cramped, ed only 12 colpi of ammunition for the main gun could be carried. The limited traverse of the turretless 7.5 cm gun mounting required that the entire vehicle be aimed in the general direction of firing, exactly like an assault gun.

Valutazione

Scale model con much raised detail.
Good choice of subject, a very attractive e versatile model.
Few parts, easy to assemble. The angle of the gun shield must be prudentamente adjusted e monitored while the adhesive dries. The front bumper is very fragile, requiring that the model be mounted on a protective base.
High quality kit. Parts fit well e there is minimal flash.
Compatibile con Fujimi, Matchbox, Nitto, e VAC-U-CAST.

The original Airfix model is an unauthorized variant of a Sd.Kfz. 231/- Pakwagen. The model may be converted to a Pakwagen Sd.Kfz. 234/4 using the fenders of a autoblindo Puma di Matchbox.
The reverse driving position is modelled in the open gun compartment, but this variant of the 234 did not actually have a rear guidatore!
Unavailable at this time. The manufacturer is well advised to upgrade, e re-issue this unique vehicle.

Utilizzo Storico

The Airfix vehicle did not officially exist, although there might have been an inofficial variant using the hull of an Sd.Kfz. 231 for a Pakwagen conversion. Tre Sd.Kfz. 234/4 Pakwagen were deployed in the Panzerjäger Platoon of the Stabskompanie (HQ coy), Pz. Aufklärungsabteilung (Armoured Recon Detachment).

Conversione

Sd.Kfz. 234/4 Pakwagen con 7.5 cm PaK 40 L/46, gennaio 1945
Sd.Kfz. 231 schwerer Panzerspähwagen (8x8) con 2 cm L/55, 1939-1945
Sd.Kfz. 232 schwerer Panzerspähwagen (8x8, Funk) – radio vehicle, luglio 1942-1945
Sd.Kfz. 233 s. Pz.Spähwg. (8x8) con 7.5 cm Stu. K. L/24, gennaio 1943-1945

The Sd.Kfz. 234/4 is an attractive variant of a well designed armoured vehicle. The distinctive chassis a 8 ruote was used for a variety of veicoli, it combined excellent fuori strada mobility e speed. Autoblindi pesanti served on all fronts e they were camouflaged in a number of different seasonal o regional patterns. Giocatori Wargame may use this vehicle to raise late war heavy reconnaissance detachments. The Airfix kit is obviously incorrect, but the problem is easy to fix if the necessary parts are available.

Airfix Modellismo

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Per ulteriori informazioni, per favore contatta la redazione di Rivista Military Miniatures nel Miniatures Forum.

Soldatini Tedeschi della Seconda Guerra Mondiale

– Pubblicato: 14.09.1996 – Aggiornato: 10.09.2002
© 1996-2011 by IDL Software GmbH, Darmstadt, Germania. Tutti diritti reservati.