Sd.Kfz 234

Photosniper #20
By George Parada, Mike Koenig, and Stanislaw Jablonski
Kagero ©2004
ISBN 83-89088-31-2
Softbound, 48 Pages, with Decals
Available from Squadron for $17.97

Reviewed By Chris Banyai-Riepl

The newest Photosniper title from Kagero covers the eight-wheeled Sd.Kfz. 234 heavy armored car in excellent detail. While exhibiting outstanding performance, few of these large armored cars were built during the Second World War, numbering roughly 500 total over two years. Although few were made, there were several variants produced, and the text effectively defines just what those differences were. Aside from this type description, there is little else written, with no operational record.

This is not the main point of this book, though, as it is aimed more towards details of the actual vehicle rather than an authoritative type history. To this end, the authors have photographed the few surviving vehicles in close detail. Although there are no surviving 234/1 or 234/2 vehicles, there are a couple 234/3s and one 234/4 out there, and it is these vehicles that are detailed. No corner is left unseen in the pages of detail photos, so this book is a definite must-have for those wanting to detail their Sd.Kfz. 234 model.

In addition to the excellent detail photo coverage, the book also includes some outstanding scale drawings, done in both 1/72 and 1/35 scales. Many of the Sd.Kfz. 234 options are depicted in these drawings, including the 234/1 with KwK 38 cannon, 234/2 with KwK 39/1 50mm gun, 234/3 with K 51 75mm gun, Schwebelawette 38 (an Sd.Kfz. 234 with a 20mm flak gun mounted), and several others. The drawings are well detailed and help show the many differences between the various marks.

Finally, this book includes a decal sheet with both 1/72 and 1/35 options. The decals are simple, like the original, with little more than license plates and turret numbers. Each option on the decal sheet is illustrated as a profile in the book, so placement will be easy. The decals are well printed by Techmod and show excellent register. These will provide many interesting options for modelers.

My thanks to Squadron for the review sample. Check their website for this and other Kagero titles.