Project of the Month - Oct 2021 - SdKfz 234 Family

[Rubicon Models]

Our "New Project of the Month" for October is a long-shelved project that we had revived due to increasing requests on our Wish List - the 8-Rad Schwerer Panzerspähwagen SdKfz 234 Armoured Car.
The project will cover ALL four basic variants with the possibility to do two more if sprue space allows.  This include:

234/1 - open-topped turret with a 2cm KwK 38 L/55 autocannon and a 7.92mm MG42 machine gun.

234/2 - commonly known as the "Puma" with a 5cm KwK 39 L/60 gun and an MG42.

234/3 - open-topped superstructure replacing the turret with a 7.5cm K51 L/24 gun.

234/4 - open-topped superstructure replacing the turret with a 7.5cm PaK 40 L/46 gun.

Might do two more variants including the Luchs turm and the 2cm Schwebelafette.




































































Enjoy!

[Tracks]

No more kit-bashing

http://forum.rubiconmodels.com/index.php?topic=764.msg10888

or wishing for

http://forum.rubiconmodels.com/index.php?topic=1101.msg14579

Side Note:
The fact this project will be a minimum of ALL four basic variants is a big bonus, but that being said, some of us already have multiples of this vehicle in our collections. I for example already have three of the four basic variants, so I guess that means I only have to get one of these kits so I can add the 234/4 to my collection.

234/1 - Very easy kit-bashing (Italeri + Rubicon Models turret)
234/2 - Italeri kit (out of the box)
234/3 - Basic kit-bashing (Italeri + Rubicon Models conversion kit)
234/4 - N/A

Hmmm... I think this new Rubicon Models kit is nice, but I am still waiting for the M3 Medium (Grant/Lee) kit. 

[viclineal]

Very interesting! Looking forward to them, and hopefully in the future to a SdKfz 231/232/233 kit to complete the catalogue of German armoured cars.

[ripley]

While I'm sure it will be a great kit , I feel Rubicon are a little late to the party with this one . I too have converted  the  Italeri kit using Rubicon's excellent add on sets . The only thing that would entice me to buy a Rubicon version is if the driver's hatch is a separate piece , I would really like to built some of the knocked out 234/2s you see in Normandy pictures . I think it would be better if Rubicon tackled the 231 family , as no one else has done in plastic , yet

[H0ffmn]

I agree with Tracks,bring on the Grant/Lee!!

[Tracks]

I think it would be better if Rubicon tackled the 231 family , as no one else has done in plastic , yet

Now that you said this, I too find it interesting that Rubicon Models didn't tackle the 231/232 (8-rad) family. Seems so obvious now.

Especially since the 231 (8-rad) and the 232 (radio-version) were introduced before the Polish campaign and used until the end of the war. A far better choice for wargamers and modellers alike.

However, maybe Rubicon Models is up to something we don't know yet, or it could be just a blunt oversight.

[ripley]

Guess the 231/2 8rad isn't as sexy as the 234  series , even with more built than all 4 types of 234s . Hell even the ugly box shaped 263 command vehicle had over 250 produced and served on all fronts . And as to Rubicon being up to something , they do tend to surprise us with proposed vehicle releases that we didn't know we wanted 

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Nice to see these at the project stage.

I would prefer too see it released as two separate kits of two versions. One sprue of generic parts for the 234 and the extras pieces on sprues B 234/1 and 2, sprue C for 234/3 and 4. Plus a crew sprue.

I see the PUMA graphic does not have the stowage box on the rear fender next to the aerial mount, it only seems to be unique to some 234/2 photos that I have seen.

There also seems to be different designs of tyers as the war progressed, possibly salvaged from other vehicles as needed.

I am not too sure of the other variants planned of the Luches turm or the 20mm schwebelafette as I have only seen these as models. I have not seen any photos of them, I hope someone has info of these variants. However, the 20mm fgst would be useful in making a 251/17D.

Sometime next year I would like too see the 232s, although I am not interested in the Lee/Grant I am sure if it does appear a Priest will surely follow.

[ripley]

IRC the Luch  turret was a one off , or at least the pictures found are of one vehicle .  No pictures of it turned to the side so it could be bolted / welded to hull like some command Pzr 3 and 4s turrets . I think the 20mm gun version was again a  conversion  by front line workshops , sort of  like the 20mm AA dropped in the Hetzer recovery vehicle .
The storage box was missing on some models , and as well the side fenders , depending on who built them , had 2 or 4 doors for storage