Italeri's 1/72 Sd. Kfz. 234/3
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Sd.Kfz. 234/3 Armored Car
As stated on the the kit box, the SD Kfz. 234/3 Heavy Armored Car was armed with a short 75mm howitzer used to support recon units. A limited number of vehicles were produced in 1944. Thanks to its mobility it was capable of conquering most difficult types of terrain. It had the same chassis as the Puma armored car.
The Kit
This is not one of the ex-ESCI 1/72 re-releases but a totally new tool
by Italeri. This is a new entry in their Alzo Zero Wargames Series offering
a choice between fast or skilled build versions. The kit boxart shows
an SD Kfz. 234/3 from an unknown German unit in dark yellow. On the back
to the box are color plates for three 234/3s for painting and decal placement.
The nice color plates are an added bonus which all manufacturers in this
scale should do. Use these when you are ready to finish your model. Along
with the color plates is a Model Master paint reference with color chips.
In
the box you will find an ten-page illustrated instruction pamphlet, one
sprue of parts molded in mustard yellow styrene and a decal sheet. The
nicely illustrated instruction pamphlet is referenced in six different
languages. All parts are documented in a parts location diagram along
with unused parts in shaded boxes. As with Italeri's newer offering, all
parts are very well molded with virtually no flash or sink holes. My only
complaint about Italeri is there generous use of injector pins on parts.
Fortunately, they are minor and located on the back side of some larger
parts but would not be visible once the kit is assembled.
Before you begin kit assembly you must choose fast or skilled build versions
of the Sd. Kfz. 234/3. To give you an idea, fast build requires three
steps as opposed to seven steps for the skilled version. The difference
being the suspension assembly. I will proceed as if to build the skilled
version which begins assembly of the suspension to the lower hull. Being
a German 8-wheeled armored car this is your most time consuming subassembly
requiring 4 leaf springs assemblies and eight suspension arm assemblies.
Be careful when gluing them to the lower hull you do not want any misalignment
or you will have one or more wheels NOT touching the ground. Step 2 has
you building the interior compartment with bulk heads, flooring and other
details. This is then mated to the interior of the lower hull. The molded
in driver seats are disappointing and lack detail. Remember, this is an
open top vehicle so you need to use the main exterior color on the interior.
The upper hull and eight wheels are mated to the lower hull and suspension.
The hub detail on the wheels are really nice but the tire tread pattern
is somewhat generic for such a big all-terrain vehicle. The one-peice
fenders are mated to the lower hull and exhaust mufflers attached in step
4. The detail on the fenders is very well done. Step 5 has you detailing
the exterior of the upper hull and fenders. These include tools, jerry
cans, jack, headlights, fire extinguisher and vehicle guide posts. The
upper super structure of the fighting compartment and short 75mm main
gun are assembled and mated to the upper hull. To me, the two-peice 75mm
main gun looks too narrow almost like a 50 mm instead. I'm sure Armo,
Eduard or some other after market company has a decent replacement for
it if you choose. Final assembly has you mount the front bumper, tow hooks
and spare tire to the hull. That's it. Now on to painting and marking.
Once
the model is assembled you can start paint and decal placement on your
234/3. You have the choice of four 234/3s to paint and mark. The decals
are of typical Italeri quality, thin and well-registered. Included are
Balkan crosses, vehicle numbers and unit markings. Two choices are from
unknown German units (Normandy 1944 or Western Front 1944) or one from
the 21st Panzer Division (Normandy 1944) or the 116th Panzer Division
(Normandy 1944). Painting can be as simple as just Model Master's Panzer
Dark Yellow or a three-tone scheme of Dark Yellow, Chocolate Brown and
Panzer Dark Green.
Conclusion
I anticipate this Sd. Kfz. 234/3 will be as enjoyable of a build as their Puma armored car. Hopefully, we will see other variants of the Sd. Kfz. 234 chassis. Remember this is a new tooling by Italeri and a very good one at that. I give this one two thumbs up. I purchased my review kit at a hobby shop.
