Germany created a number of successful schwerer Panzerspahwagen (“heavy armored reconnaissance vehicles”). An important family of vehicles in this class was the Sd.Kfz.234, which carried on where the older Sd.Kfz.231 8-Rad (“eight-wheel”) design left off. Design work commenced in August 1940 and the Sd.Kfz.234 had four distinct variants, the third of which was the Sd.Kfz.234/3. This 8-wheeled vehicle is the subject of Dragon’s newest 1/35 scale plastic kit. This 6m-long reconnaissance vehicle boasted a 7.5cm KwK51 gun of L/24 caliber installed in the open-topped fighting compartment. Only 88 vehicles were produced by B'ssing-NAG between June and December 1944, and they were employed in armored reconnaissance companies on both the Eastern and Western Fronts.
Dragon's new Sd.Kfz.234/3 has been upgraded as a Premium Edition kit. Brand new are the side fenders with integral storage bins. These bins have photo-etched covers that can be modeled open should the modeler choose to do so, which gives more versatility. The 7.5cm KwK51 gun is accurately rendered, which is just as well since all its details are visible in the open-topped fighting compartment. The driveshafts and tie rods are constructed in such a way as to allow all eight wheels to be angled, just like on the original vehicle. This updated Premium Edition Sd.Kfz.234/3 kit accurately replicates this German 8×8 armored vehicle and it certainly gives the family more firepower.
Features
- Newly tooled side fenders w/photo-etched hatch lids
- Authentic jerry can w/photo-etched detail
- Wheels can be adjusted to different positions
- Authentically recreated suspension and steering assembly
- Wheel hubs are finely detailed
- Wheels made from multiple parts for maximum detail
- Upper hull with detail specific to Sd.Kfz.234/3
- Three-directional slide-molded hull bottom with full detail
- Highly detailed driver's vision port
- Slide-molded gun sight periscope made from clear part
- Subtle basket for spent shells
- Rifling inside gin barrel is finely reproduced
- 7.5cm K51(L/24) gun possesses great detail
- Gun sleeve reproduced with correct detail
- Engine deck ventilation louvers with open or closed option
- Rear vision ports can be assembled open/closed
- Detailed spare-tire mounting frame
- Both front and rest steering controls reproduced in detail
- Redesigned turret exhibits interior of Sd.Kfz 234/3
- Turret side armor designed to scale thickness
- Side fender toolbox can be assembled open/closed
- Antenna mount recreated in fine detail
- Realistic 7.92mm MG42 included
- Ammunition racks w/separate ammunition rounds
- Gunner's seat w/collapsible backrest
- One-piece chassis frame is slide molded for finer detail
- Width indicator poles included
- Includes internal fuel tank
- Detailed transmission cover
- Mufflers recreated w/multiples parts
- Extendable jack made from separate parts
- Detailed OVM come w/and without clasps