Autoblindo Pesante Sd.Kfz. 234/2
schwerer Panzerspähwagen (Puma)

Recensione del Modello Matchbox in Scala 1:76

The Puma was based on the successful series dei autoblindi ruotati pesanti Sd.Kfz. 231 Achtrad (8x8), maintaining many of its features. Better armour, a stronger 12 cylinder air-cooled diesel engine e the turreted weapon made the Puma a formidable reconnaissance vehicle. A total of 101 Pumas were built e they were formed into quattro armoured reconnaissance companies designated as Panzerspähwagen Compagnia Typ A, one each assigned to quattro divisioni carri serving on the eastern e western fronts.

Contenuto

• Sd.Kfz. 234/2 Puma
• 3 soldatini
• diorama base

• 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: 5 cm L/60, mitragliatrice MG 42
• Equipaggio: capocarro, guidatore, cannoniere, guidatore posteriore

"Reverse driver: Pull out, full speed!"

The first tre production variants of the Sd.Kfz. 234 series featured 8-wheel stearing as well as a forward ed a separate rear driving position which allowed the crew to drive the vehicle at full speed in either direction. Reverse driving at top speed is a very important feature for lightly armoured reconnaissance veicoli, enabling them to pull out of dangerous situations immediately, instead of prudentamente backing out of a tight spot o turning around under fire. Modern Bundeswehr autoblindi have maintained 8-wheel steering e the rear driver, but they are amphibious now, practically inaudible even at very close range ed equipped con puncture resistant tires.

Valutazione

• Scale model con much raised detail ed external stowage.
• Good choice of subject, a very attractive e versatile model.
• Few parts, easy to assemble.
• Choice of open o closed torretta hatches.
• High quality kit. Parts fit very well e there is minimal flash.
• Compatibile con Airfix, Fujimi, Nitto, e VAC-U-CAST.

• License plate decalcomanie provided for the Panzerdivision Hohenstaufen are politically correct, as required under German law.
• Approximately 5% smaller than the 1:72 scale figure standard. Not a problem in this case, the Matchbox Puma is the only one on the market ed it is compatible with Sd.Kfz. 222 e 234/4 produced by Airfix.

Utilizzo storico

• Panzerspähwagen Compagnia Typ A (Armoured Recon Company), Oct. 1943-1945
  25 veicoli per company, serving in quattro different divisioni carri. Decalcomanie e camouflage schemes for the following divisions are included:
  • IX. SS Panzerdivision (Hohenstaufen), Normandia 1944
  • XI. Frw. Pz.Grenadier Division, Germania orientale 1945

Conversione

• Sd.Kfz. 234/1 schwerer Panzerspähwagen con 2 cm L/55, open torretta, 06/44
• Sd.Kfz. 234/3 schwerer Panzerspähwagen con 7.5 cm L/24, 06/44
• Sd.Kfz. 234/4 s.Pz.Spähwg. (Pakwagen) con 7.5 cm PaK 40, open-topped, 01/45

Matchbox’s Sd.Kfz. 234/2 Puma is an attractive model which fits well into the range of existing veicoli corazzati da ricognizione produced by Airfix. The distinctive chassis a 8 ruote was introduced con the Sd.Kfz. 231 series of autoblindi, it combined excellent fuori strada mobility e speed. The Matchbox Puma may be used to raise autoblindo pesante companies for simulation gaming after ottobre 1943. A multi-purpose kit featuring all tre torretta variants of the 234/1 to 234/3 series would have allowed the formation of entire battaglioni reconnaissance, at relatively little additional cost per unit. Perhaps, a conversion specialist like VAC-U-CAST may be able to supply the required torrette some day.

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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: 16.09.1996 – Aggiornato: 22.03.2005
© 1996-2010 by IDL Software GmbH, Darmstadt, Germania. Tutti diritti reservati.