Sd.Kfz. 234/2
Heavy Armoured Car “Puma”

ROCO 1:87 Scale Vehicle Review

Sd.Kfz. 234/2, Heavy Armoured Car Puma, 1:87 ROCO 124.

The ROCO model of the s.Pz.Spähwg. "Puma" heavy armoured car is sold fully assembled, but in a nearly factory-new condition without any equipment. A considerable amount of effort must be put into getting this Puma ready for battle.

Contents

  • Sd.Kfz. 234/2, schwerer Panzerspähwagen “Puma”

Evaluation

Excellent choice of subject, the “Puma” is unique in this scale.

The ROCO model of the Sd.Kfz. 234/2 “Puma” consists of 19 parts and is sold fully assembled. It appears to be a “Puma” under construction, still incomplete, which has not yet received any equipment other than a pioneer spade and a pickaxe. Model makers and wargamers will have to do a lot of upgrading here if they want to turn this showroom model into a combat-ready “Puma” armoured car.

The front bumper is missing, as are the width indicator rods on the front and rear fenders, the exhausts on the rear mud flaps and the spare wheel at the rear. Tank headlights or the camouflaged Notek headlight (Notek vehicle night marching equipment), Abstandsrückleuchte rear light, tail and brake lights are missing. On the port fender, two jerrycans, fire extinguisher, pioneer spade, rack jack, antenna mount and two additional 20 l jerrycans are missing. The same sad situation on the starboard fender; the following are missing: 20 l jerrycans, wooden block for the rack jack, and sponge.

Turret hatches can be displayed open or closed.

Sprue and mould lines on the turret rear and tires need to be removed prior to painting.

The smoke grenade discharger on the front upper sides of the turret is hardly recognizable as such. What looks like a riveted piece of armour plate will have to be replaced by three smoke grenade tubes on each side.

Compatible with HO scale model railway equipment and miniatures by Märklin, Faller, Pola, Preiser, and Noch.

ROCO‘s “Puma” is an interesting model of the Sd.Kfz. 234/2 heavy armoured car, which unfortunately lacks many important components and equipment. Wargamers may be able to use the Sd.Kfz. 234/2 “Puma” as it is sold by ROCO; for serious collectors and diorama builders, this vehicle is at most a solid basis for a sophisticated conversion.

Sd.Kfz. 234/2, Heavy Armoured Car