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Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (Plastic) (GBX89)

Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)

Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
includes six Sd Kfz 234 plastic sprues, two plastic Tank Commander sprues, two Gun Crew sprues, and one Decal sheet.

The Sd Kfz 234 was designed as a replacement to the earlier Sd Kfz 231 and 232 eight-wheeled armoured cars. The Sd Kfz 234/2 Puma was the first variant produced and was armed with a 5cm KwK 39/1 L/60 and co-axial machine-gun mounted in a fully-enclosed turret.

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Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)

Though a dramatic increase in firepower, the 5cm gun could sometimes get the crew into trouble; tempting them to engage the enemy upon contact rather than simply breaking off.

Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Weighing 11.74 tonnes, production of the Puma began in September 1943 and was halted in September 1944 when it was replaced by the other variants (Sd Kfz 234/1 (2cm), Sd Kfz 234/3 (7.5cm), and Sd Kfz 234/4 (PaK40)). In total, 101 examples of the Puma were made.
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
The Sd Kfz 234/2 Puma in Flames Of War
      Armour 
   
Name 
Mobility 
Front 
Side 
Top 
Equipment and Notes 
Weapon 
Range 
ROF 
Anti-tank 
Firepower 
 
Sd Kfz 234/2 Puma Jeep 3 0 0 Co-ax MG, Reece. 
5cm KwK39 gun 24"/60cm 
2
9
4+ 
 
The Sd Kfz 234/1 (2cm)
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
In September 1943, an order was issued that fifty percent of Sd Kfz 234 production by fitted with the 2cm KwK 38 L/55 gun once production numbers of the Puma had exceeded 100 vehicles. The 2cm gun was mounted alongside a co-axial machine-gun in a six-sided open turret similar to that fitted to the older Sd Kfz 222 armoured car.   
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Like the Sd Kfz 222, the open turret was protected from grenades by a mesh-covered frame that enclosed the top of the turret. 200 of this variant, known as the Sd Fkz 234/1 (2cm) were produced from June 1944 until January 1945 and saw service on both the Eastern Front and in Western Europe.
The Sd Kfz 234/1 (2cm) in Flames Of War
      Armour 
   
Name 
Mobility 
Front 
Side 
Top 
Equipment and Notes 
Weapon 
Range 
ROF 
Anti-tank 
Firepower 
 
Sd Kfz 234/2 (2cm) Jeep 3 0 0 Co-ax MG, Reece. 
2cm KwK38 gun 16"/40cm 
3
5
5+ 
The Sd Kfz 234/3 (7.5cm)
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Furthering the Germany's quest for superior firepower, a close-support version of the Sd Kfz 234 was developed. Mounting a 7.5cm L/24 gun; this version was designated the Sd Kfz 234/3 (7.5cm). The 7.5cm gun removed from early versions of the Panzer IV and mounted in an open-topped superstructure that replaced the turret of the Sd Kfz 234/1 (2cm) and Sd KFz 234/2 Puma. The 7.5cm gun was mounted with its original shield, and to provide the crew with additional protection, the sides of the fighting compartment were also raised to match the height of gun shield.   
 Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Secondary armament was provided by a machine-gun mounted parallel to the vehicle’s main gun and afforded the crew a much-needed deterrent when facing enemy infantry. However, by late 1944 the war was going badly for Germany and in November Hitler ordered that the short-barrelled 7.5cm gun is replaced with the formidable 7.5cm PaK40 anti-tank gun in an attempt to increase the vehicle’s potency. This variant known as the Sd Kfz 234/4 (PaK40) made the Sd Kfz 234/3 (7.5cm) redundant and production of Sd Kfz 234/3 (7.5cm) ceased in December 1944 in favour of the Sd Kfz 234/4 (PaK40). In all, 88 examples of the Sd Kfz 234/3 (7.5cm) were produced.
The Sd Kfz 234/3 (7.5cm) in Flames Of War
      Armour 
   
Name 
Mobility 
Front 
Side 
Top 
Equipment and Notes 
Weapon 
Range 
ROF 
Anti-tank 
Firepower 
 
Sd Kfz 234/3 (7.5cm) Jeep 3 0 0 Hull MG.
7.5cm KwK37 gun 24"/60cm 
2
9
3+ 
Hull mounted.
The Sd Kfz 234/4
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Armed with the highly effective 7.5cm PaK40 anti-tank gun complete with the gun shield effectively turned the Sd Kfz 234/4 (PaK40) into a wheeled tank destroyer. However, the design was not without its limitations; as with any hull-mounted gun, it was severely restricted in its inability to traverse. 
 Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Ammunition stowage was also an issue. Due to the size of each round, only twelve could be stowed aboard the vehicle at any given time. If this wasn’t enough, the open-topped fighting compartment like that of the Sd Kfz 234/3 (7.5cm) left the crew vulnerable to small arms fire and shell fragments. Despite these limitations, production of the Sd Kfz 234/4 (PaK 40) continued until March 1945 with a total of 89 produced from December 1944 until the end of the war.

Designed by Tim Adcock
Painted by Blake Coster 
The Sd Kfz 234/4 (PaK40) in Flames Of War
      Armour 
   
Name 
Mobility 
Front 
Side 
Top 
Equipment and Notes 
Weapon 
Range 
ROF 
Anti-tank 
Firepower 
 
Sd Kfz 234/4 (PaK40) Jeep 3 0 0 AA MG, Recce.
7.5cm PaK40 gun
32"/80cm 
2 12
3+ 
Hull mounted.

The Puma Panzerspäh Platoon Contents
Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have issues with any components.
Sd Kfz 234 Plastic Sprues (x6)
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Tank Commander Figure Sprue (x2) Gun Crew Figure Sprue (x2) Decal Sheet (x1)
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)

Assembling The Puma Panzerspäh Platoon
Blake demonstrates how to assemble the plastic Puma Panzerspäh Platoon.
 

Assembling The Sd Kfz 234 Variants
Assembling the Generic Hull
Each of the four Sd Kfz 234 variants all shares a number of common components. These are highlighted in green on the plastic sprue shown below. These components make up the generic hull that can be used as a base to the model whichever variant of the Sd Kfz 234 you wish.
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Step 1. Start assembly of the generic hull by joining the top and bottom halves of the hull together. Step 2. Next, attach the right-hand side wheel bogies...
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Step 3. ...followed by the left-hand-side wheel bogies. Step 4. Attach the bumper to the front of the hull.
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Step 5. Add the spare tire to the rear of the hull. Step 6. To complete assembly of the generic hull, attach the Jerry can stowage to each front fender.
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Assembling the Sd Kfz 234/1 (2cm)
Along with the generic hull, the components highlighted in blue on the plastic sprue below are used to model the Sd Kfz 234/1 (2cm).
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Step 1. Attach the 2cm KwK 38 L/55 gun assembly to the inside of the turret.  Step 2. Next, attach the grenade screen to the top of the turret.
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Step 3. Attach the Sd Kfz 234/1 (2cm) specific stowage bin to the side of the generic hull. Step 4. Attach the top deck to the top of the hull. Step 5. Use the turret peg or rare-earth magnets as a quick and easy way of attaching the turret to the hull.
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Step 6. Add the turret to the hull. Below: With the turret attached, the Sd Kfz 234/1 (2cm) is now fully assembled.
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Assembling the Sd Kfz 234/2 Puma
Along with the generic hull, the components highlighted in white on the plastic sprue below are used to model the Sd Kfz 234/2 Puma.
 Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Step 1. Attach the Sd Kfz 234/2 Puma specific stowage bins to each side of the generic hull.
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Step 2. Attach the top deck to the top of the hull. Step 3. Join the top and bottom sections of the turret. Step 4. Attach the main gun to the front of the turret. 
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Below: The turret hatch can be modelled either open or closed. Step 5. Attach the hatch to the top of the turret.
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Step 6. Add a commander figure of choice to the open turret hatch. Step 7. Use the turret peg or rare-earth magnets as a quick and easy way of attaching the turret to the hull.
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Step 8. Add the turret to the hull. Below: With the turret attached, the Sd Kfz 234/2 Puma is now fully assembled.
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Adding Rare Earth Magnets
Alternatively, you may choose to glue rare earth magnets into the recess in the hull and to the bottom of the turret. Magnets are a quick and secure way of fixing your turrets to the hulls, as an alternative to the included plastic peg.

Rare Earth Magnets (XX105) are available through the online store here...

Rare Earth Magnets (XX105)
Puma Platoon (GBX89) Puma Platoon (GBX89) Puma Platoon (GBX89) Read Chris' guide to Rare Earth Magnets here for more tips and tricks...
Assembling the Sd Kfz 234/3 (7.5cm)
Along with the generic hull, the components highlighted in yellow on the plastic sprue below are used to model the Sd Kfz 234/3 (7.5cm).
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Step 1. Attach the Sd Kfz 234/3 specific stowage bin to the side of the generic hull. Step 2. Attach the main gun to the hull superstructure.
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Step 3. Attach the coaxial machine-gun to the side of the main gun. Step 4. Add the main gun assembly to the generic hull. Below: With the main gun assembly in place, the Sd Kfz 234/3 (7.5cm) is now fully assembled.
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
 Adding Crew Figures To The Sd Kfz 234/3 (7.5cm)
Step 1. Cut the desired crew figure off the resin sprue with a pair of side cutters.
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Below: The suggested crew figures to use with the Sd Kfz 234/3 (7.5cm) are the figure wear the helmet holding binoculars and the figure in the field cap without the shell. Step 2. Add the crew figure wearing the helmet to the inside of the fighting compartment of the Sd Kfz 234/3 (7.5cm).
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Step 3. Add the crew figure wearing the field cap to the inside of the fighting compartment of the Sd Kfz 234/3 (7.5cm). Below: With the crew added to the fighting compartment, the SD Kfz 234/3 (7.5cm) is now fully assembled.
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Assembling the Sd Kfz 234/4 (PaK40)
Along with the generic hull, the components highlighted in red on the plastic sprue below are used to model the Sd Kfz 234/4 (PaK40).
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Step 1. Attach the Sd Kfz 234/4 (PaK40) specific stowage bin to the side of the generic hull. Step 2. Attach the main gun to the hull superstructure.
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Step 3. Next, attach the gun shield to the 7.5cm PaK 40. Step 4. Followed by the AA machine-gun.
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Step 5. Add the main gun assembly to the generic hull. Below: With the main gun assembly in place, the Sd Kfz 234/4 (PaK40) is now fully assembled.
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Adding Crew Figures To The Sd Kfz 234/4 (PaK40)  
Step 1. Cut the desired crew figure off the resin sprue with a pair of side cutters.
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Below: The suggested crew figures to use with the Sd Kfz 234/4 (PaK40) are the figure wear the helmet holding binoculars and the figure in the field cap holding the shell. Step 2. Add the crew figure wearing the helmet to the inside of the fighting compartment of the Sd Kfz 234/4 (PaK40).
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)
Step 3. Add the crew figure wearing the field cap to the inside of the fighting compartment of the Sd Kfz 234/4 (PaK40). Below: With the crew added to the fighting compartment, the SD Kfz 234/4 (PaK40) is now fully assembled.
Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89) Puma Panzerspäh Platoon (GBX89)


Last Updated On Friday, February 22, 2019