I want to buy either one of these 2 kits but can't decide which one to purchase.I have read reviews on both but its a hard choice.
I know you may say get both but I can only afford the one.
So if you were to consider what kit which one would you choose?




The 234 has a lot more parts and looks more complicated which I like a complicated kit,and the 251 has some good extras which includes figures and some items of clothing and a large decal sheet.
Both support a Pak 40.

Kind regards
Karl

I'd go with the 251. I have the Tamiya 251/11 kit and have added a rez conversion to bring it to the one you have pictured there. Also added a Tamiya Pak 40 and RB barrel. A couple of AM stowage kits and a few little scratchbuilt tarps and such and SOMEDAY I'll build it.

I really like the halftrack design. It has tracks (which are always cool) AND tires. It's also got the full chassis to build, which is kind of fun and interesting--especially if you've just been building tanks.

You can really get into detailing and weathering the large, open crew compartment, and building and detailing that gun is its own separate build.

Whatever you end up with, have fun!!

If I remember correctly (which might not be the case) I think the 251/22 by Dragon had some accuracy issues.
Review here:
https://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/dragon/dr6248.htm

If I had too choose I would pick the 251/22 from AFV-Club instead:


or maybe the 234/4 ... I think the 8-wheelers are cool

/ Robin

I've got both in progress, the hull sides/front hull fit on the 251 is more problematic , but in my sample the rear hull/engine deck fit is also a problem in the 234.
The shield cutouts for the 251 are too high, but I don't remember if it is the same issue on the 234.
The alignment of the road wheel arms, wheels and tracks is more fiddly than the 'busy' suspension of the 234.

So from my experience, is the 234 is a better fitting kit , still with a busy visible interior and packing a Pak40

Your mileage may vary.

Personally, I like the look of the 251. It presents more room for quite a bit of detailing and has tracks. I'm not aware of the fit or accuracy issues, but they should be correctable with a little work. Or, as Robin said, go with the AFV Club offering. They are a bit more accurate than Dragon and will run you about the same price.

Do you like them wheels or tracks? Better fit or more extras? I usually go for the better fit to ease the process.

234 has a lot more parts but I found the fit to be very good. I've never been able to get a Dragon 251 series to fit for some reason - maybe my lack of skills. I'd opt for the 234.

234.
Less common vehicle. 251's seem to be a dime a dozen.

With that being said the 251 has ALWAYS been a personal favorite

I can't comment as to the quality of either model so I'm no help there; but numbers-wise there were possibly (reliable figures are hard to come by) 1,200 of the 251/22 made compared to about 90 of the 234/4.

I would go for the 234/4, it's an excellent kit. And you save the work on the tracks

Thanks for all of your suggestions.
It was a difficult choice but I went for the 234 in the end as it will make a difference than doing tracks all the time and am looking forward to building up the suspension.

Karl,
Either here or over on Missing Links were a couple of posts back when the kits came out about modifying the suspension parts to pose the wheels mid-steer.
A quick look through the kit box did not reveal the printout I could have SWORN I had..

Mike not sure I will have a look when I get the kit,I think I read something about the steering system being modified and am sure it was missing lynx forum.
You can buy the Voyager model upgrade but think it's a bit expensive.


Regards
Karl

PM sent.

I don't think you are going to get a consenceous vote here. I have built the 234. Excellent kit to my knowledge with lots of open top detail to get lost in. Also, back in the day, I 'scratch/converted the old Tamiya 251 to carry the PAK 40.

Proud of them both but liked the 234 best. (Might have been b/c they had a 234 in the Patton Collection that I got to climb around on.)

Patton Museum collection Ft. Knox, KY. now at Ft. Benning:



Note radio rack on left with antenna base directly above. Ready rounds storage on right with more rounds stored directly below the PAK.

(Both photos Michael Koenig; All rights reserved.)

As time passes you really should get them both. I too suspect the 251 from AFV Club to be better than the Dragon kit.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Oh, I saw the question earlier about wheel steering angles. This should answer any questions regarding the 234. I believe this chart shows maximum wheel deflection during sharp turns and it states the 8-rad had a minimum, curb to curb, turning radius of 10.5 meters. (34 1/8 feet)

How the steering linkage accomplished all these subtle variations of turning angle (in both directions) for each wheel is beyond my feeble mind.

More detail photos available when you need them: