Hello One and All,
I'd like to introduce you to my next Dio build challenge. Thoughts and plans for this were bouncing around in my head long before this years AMPS show was even over! I wanted to do something different, other than another tracked vehicle. So I decided to go with Dragon's-Sd.Kfz. 234/2 Puma Armored car.{kit #6256]
My research has revealed that out of the 101 Puma's built, many found their way to the Normandy campaign within the "Panzer Lehr" division and 9th SS division "Hohenstaufen". Sooo... guess where this Dio well take place at!
This Dio well consist of four major build components...
First, of course, is the Sd.Kfz. Puma...

Second will be a small, very degraded, French barn.
Third will be a large tree, using the wire technic. I've done small trees before, but never a large one, which I've always wanted to do. So here's my chance!
And fourth, I'm planning on scatch building an old Dump Rake...
and trying my hand at the technic of Rusting.
Still working on the base dimensions, but hope to post more soon.

Let the Build Begin!!!
Kirk

Looking forward to see this one !
I'm currently building a 234/4 from Dragon too.
Careful with the instructions, rather messy and confusing .

Already build the 234/3 a few years ago and came to the same problems in that matter.
When building the suspension parts and the lower hull, Dragon had this bright idea of mixing some parts and directs you to other areas, interior detailing and then sends you again to the lower hull detailing building ... it's useless and total nonsense anyway take care of the interior and turret only after completing the exterior parts.

Keep us posted on that dio !

Looking forward to this as well, Kirk. The Sd.Kfz.234/2 had to be one of my all-time favorite vehicles: a cryinh shame that there is relatively little information available about them. As for 130.Pz.Lehr.Div. I have been told that there are some photos online, but I have yet to see those. You may want to check out this thread. Most is in Dutch, but it contains some usefull links (look for the blue). I'll point you to this one directly, since it contains valuable information.

Best of luck with it. I need to see more Puma's like I need more angels hand-feeding me fruit

O.K. you have my interest in this one. The Puma is a cool looking vehical but to be honest, what caught my attention is your plan to build the dump/drag rake. Farm equipment, besides wagons, is something that is not often seen in dio's. and I look forward to your build. Please, don't forget the inprog. photo's. This promises to be grand as far as I am concerned. I might even give the rake a shot myself. Maybe a plow next to it?

Hey Kirk!
I also love Pumas and have built one in the past but it was the old Italerei kit. I look forward to your new dio thread and would love to see how you handle the farm gear.
This will not pertain toi your build but I know a lot of Pumas were used in East Prussia in the last war months where diesel fuel was in good supply.
Where in Pa are you? I am in Bethlehem.
J

Nice idea, I too have plans of a Normandy barn!! Glad to see you starting a new one!!

Regards,

Hello All, Thanks for tuning in on this build.
Jerry, I live in Reading, not to far from Bethleham.
Here's a small update...
As far as the Puma goes, I'm not wasteing my time on the interior, since you won't see it anyway. I didn't want to take the time to cut off and build the detailed vision port pieces, when I intend to have them closed. So I used plastic sheet to close them off...


Got some after market items for Puma...


Basic body, without the little details...


There's gaps in the front that need to be filled in...

Worked on the base, using cut outs to get the basic layout that I wanted...

And cut out the barns walls out of poster board...


That's it for now,
Kirk