135
Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 08:02 PM UTC
The second in DML's Sd kfz 234 series is due for release this week at Dragon Expo - and shortly afterwards in the usual retail outlets. Meanwhile, as a taster, we present images of the kit...
DRA 6298 - Sd. Kfz. 234/1(1/35th Scale)



This is the 2nd kit in the 'heavy' 8-wheeled German Armored Car series from DML. This is the version armed with the 2cm KwK38 L/55. The previos version, the 234/4, was armed with the 7-5cm AT gun. Inevitably, some of the components will be common to both the (currently available) versions. There are however, some completely new features in this kit:

Turret & Gun:

- detailed turet assembly

- Mesh hood can be assembled open or closed



- Slide-molded gun barrel



- All new one-piece 2cm turret

- Movable coaxial assembly

- Highly detailed mesh hood


Upper Hul

- Newly tooled upper hull for 234/1 version

- New front hull configuration for 234/1

- New side fender toolbox

- Slide-molded early style side fenders are new toolings

- Hull bracket for 234/1 is newly designed

- Authentic multi-part muffler

- Finely detailed front engine compartment cover

- Delicate with indicator poles with optional metal ones

- New cleaning rods

- Newly tooled on-vehicle tools

- Additional on-vehicle tools without clasps

- Extendable jack made up of separate parts

- Engine deck ventilation louvers with open or close option

- New rear vision ports can be assembled open / closed

- Driver's vision port can be assembled open or closed

- Both front and rear steering controls superbly reproduced

- All new driver's head pad for 234/1


Chassis & Suspension

- One-piece chassis frame is slide molded to give finer detail

- Three-directional slide-molded hull bottom provides superb detail

- New compartment floor panel

- Radio mounts recreated in fine detail

- Newly designed driver's console

- 'star' antenna

- Transparent parts for driver's vision port give great interior detail

- Detailed spare tire mounting frame

- Authentically recreated suspension and steering assembly

- Wheel hubs are finely detailed



- Accurate pattern wheels made from multiple parts for maximum detail



- Detailed transmission cover

- Transmission floor detail is all new


Bonus Elements:

- Newly tooled jerry cans with photo-etched parts

- New Cartogarf Decals


More photos at the side - also expect to see the first review of this model, here on Armorama.com in the next few days!

Click Star to Rate
No one has rated this yet.
Get a daily email with links to all our latest news, reviews, and features.

Comments

I'm just finishing the 234/4, so I can't wait for this one. Two questions: 1. Will it have the appropriate ammunition containers for the 2cm and MG42? 2. Will Cyber-Hobby bring out an update set, like they did for the 234/4? If not, I might have to get another /4 update, just for the photo-etch engine deck ventilation louvres and the mesh under them. Then there's the Aber photoetch set for the Italeri version for its various bits and pieces. Ah well ! :-)
JUN 19, 2006 - 03:38 PM
David, I'm writing the review as we speak, yes to the containers, and no to the update set as far as I know. Vinnie
JUN 19, 2006 - 03:46 PM
If it is anything like italeri kit, will be be a great build. My only compliant is there are no figures like the Iaterli one i'm building and it would look better with a crew
JUN 19, 2006 - 04:27 PM
Erm.............. take my word for it. It's nothing like the Italeri kit.......... This one is superb! :-) Vinnie
JUN 19, 2006 - 04:32 PM
Oh my! THIS is the 234 version I really wanted! Sweet... Thanks for posting!
JUN 19, 2006 - 04:44 PM
Now Jim forgive me and my Allied ways, but what front were these used, and in what years? Were they a common lil beasty? The box art stating '39-'45 series isn't helping much... :-)
JUN 19, 2006 - 04:56 PM
Hey Vinnie, as a Science teacher myself (now happily retired), how the hell do you find time to build and review all these kits?
JUN 19, 2006 - 08:34 PM
Hey david! Another one eh? We're slightly off topic, but since I've just posted the review........ I was a good science teacher.........but I didn't have a life outside of teaching as everbody who teaches knows. It was a case of working evenings and weekends preparing work, planning lessons and marking work. So it came down to a choice.........did I want to continue like that. or become a bad teacher, or give it up. I decided to give it up. I've just resigned and now only do supply work, which leaves me time to have a life! :-) Not nearly the same money though Vinnie
JUN 19, 2006 - 08:41 PM
Good for you, Vinnie! Please ignore the identical question on your review page. To answer Bradley's question, according to Jentz, starting in June 1944, a full company of 13 234/1s (with 3 234/3s) were issued to 6, 8, 9, 11, and 116PD, Panzer Lehr, Brandenburg PGD, 2SSPD and 9SSPD. Starting in January 1945, they were issued to 4PD (7 vehicles), Führer-Grenadier-Division (4), 25PD (4), Müncheberg PD (4) and Begleit-Kompagnie zur besondere Verwendung (no- I don't know who they were, either - 3 vehicles). Other units who appear to have had them are 2PD (2), 1SSPD (5), 12SSPD (4) and Panzer-Brigade 150 (6). On 16th December 1944, (if you want to do an Ardennes vehicle), you can choose from 2, 9, 11, or 116PD, Panzer Lehr, 1SS, 2SS, 9SS, 12SS, FGD or PB150. Spoilt for choice!
JUN 19, 2006 - 09:58 PM
THIS STORY HAS BEEN READ 8,016 TIMES.
ADVERTISEMENT

Photos
Click image to enlarge
  • 37
  • 5
  • 8
  • 13
  • 19
  • 7
  • 2
  • 9
  • 4
  • 17
  • 6298-poster-s
Dragon Models ReviewsMORE
Panzer IV Ausf G. In-Box Review
by Cody K
Bergepanther mit Aufgesetztem Built Review
by Andrew Jerome
IJA Type 97 In-Box Review
by Russ Amott
M3 Halftrack Built Review
by Pete Becerra | of 2 ratings, 100% found this helpful
Sd.Kfz 251/1D Built Review
by Jesse
IDF Magach 3 w/ ERA In-Box Review
by Sebastian Schoof
StuG.III Ausf.F Built Review
by Matthew Lenton
M67A2 In-Box Review
by Federico Collada
King Tiger with Zimmerit 1/35t Built Review
by Karl Flavell
Sdkfz 250/4 mit zwilling MG34 In-Box Review
by Karl Flavell
M752 LANCE Missile Launcher In-Box Review
by Jon Arnold
Sd.Kfz 250/7 In-Box Review
by DJ Judge
T54E1 Build In-Box Review
by Shawn | of 1 ratings, 100% found this helpful
Vollkettenaufklärer 38(t) Built Review
by Talal Mashtoub
Jagdpanzer IV A-0 Built Review
by Adam Mann

ADVERTISEMENT