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

German Sd.Kfz. 234/2, Heavy Armoured Car Puma.

The Puma is a further development of the successful 8-wheeled armoured reconnaissance vehicle 231. Reinforced armour, a more powerful 12-cylinder diesel engine and the 5 cm tank gun in the closed turret made the Puma the outstanding reconnaissance vehicle of its time. A total of 101 Pumas were built, which were distributed across four divisions and deployed in the armoured car company Type A.

“Rückwärtsfahrer: Marsch! Marsch!”

The first three variants of the Sd.Kfz. 234 series had 8-wheel steering and an additional reverse driver; the vehicle drove forwards and backwards at the same speed. Reversing at top speed can be of decisive importance when enemy contact is established and the vehicle must be extricated from a dangerous situation at maximum speed. The Bundeswehr‘s modern “Luchs” armoured reconnaissance vehicle is based on the successful Puma; it retains the 8-wheel steering and the reverse driver. The Luchs is also amphibious, barely audible and equipped with run-flat tires.

Available Scale Model Kits

  • Sd.Kfz. 234/2 “Puma”, heavy Armoured Car, 1:35 Academy 13514
  • Sd.Kfz. 234/2 “Puma”, heavy Armoured Car, 1:35 Dragon 6256
  • Sd.Kfz. 234/2 “Puma”, heavy Armoured Car, 1:35 Dragon 6943
  • Sd.Kfz. 234/2 “Puma”, heavy Armoured Car, 1:35 Italeri 6572
  • Sd.Kfz. 234/2 “Puma”, heavy Armoured Car, 1:35 Tamiya 37018
  • Sd.Kfz. 234/2 “Puma”, heavy Armoured Car, 1:48 Italeri 6601
  • Sd.Kfz. 234/2 “Puma”, heavy Armoured Car, 1:48 Tamiya 37010
  • Sd.Kfz. 234/2 “Puma”, heavy Armoured Car, 1:56 Warlord 402012009
  • Sd.Kfz. 234/2 “Puma”, heavy Armoured Car, 1:72 Roden 705
  • Sd.Kfz. 234/2 “Puma”, heavy Armoured Car, 1:76 Matchbox 40076
  • Sd.Kfz. 234/2 “Puma”, heavy Armoured Car (1944), 1:76 Milicast G52
  • Sd.Kfz. 234/2 “Puma”, heavy Armoured Car, 1:87 ROCO 124
  • Sd.Kfz. 234/2 “Puma”, heavy Armoured Car, 1:100 Battlefront GE361
  • Sd.Kfz. 234/2 “Puma”, heavy Armoured Car, 1:100 Forged in Battle P-77
  • Sd.Kfz. 234/2 “Puma”, heavy Armoured Car, 1:285 GHQ G52
  • Sd.Kfz. 234/2 “Puma”, heavy Armoured Car, 1:300 Heroics & Ros G029

Technical Specifications

  • Sonderkraftfahrzeug 234/2, schwerer Panzerspähwagen (5 cm L/60 KwK 39)
  • Manufacturer: Büssing-NAG
  • Engine: rear-mounted Tatra 103 diesel engine; V-12 air-cooled; 164 kw
  • Transmission: 3 foward 3 reverse; 2 gear ratios
  • Fuel Capacity:
  • Range: 900 km on roads, 600 km cross-country
  • Speed: 80 km/h
  • Wheelbase: 2750 mm (1350 mm bogie)
  • Length: 6020 mm
  • Width: 2360 mm
  • Height: 2290 mm
  • Weight: 11.5 t
  • Armament: 5 cm L/60 Kwk 39 with 55 Rounds, one 7.92 mm MG 42
  • Traverse: 360 degrees
  • Elevation:
  • Crew: Commander, Gunner, Driver, Reverse Driver
  • Production: 101 vehicles

Historical Employment

  • Armoured Car Company Type A, October 1943–1945
    25 Pumas per Company, distributed to four Divisions.

Possible Conversions

  • Sd.Kfz. 234/1 heavy Armoured Car with 2 cm L/55, open Turret, 06/1944
  • Sd.Kfz. 234/3 heavy Armoured Car with 7.5 cm L/24, June 1944–1945
  • Sd.Kfz. 234/4 Pakwagen with 7.5 cm L.46 PaK 40, January 1945

The Puma heavy armoured car was a modern, highly mobile and heavily armed wheeled tank deployed in small numbers between the end of 1943 and the middle of 1944 in the German armoured car company Type A.

German Miniatures of World-War Two