Details

Back to Modeling the Sd.Kfz. 234 in 1/72nd Scale

While most modelers familiar with German AFV of the WW2 period will be able to tell the different versions of the Sd.Kfz.234 apart, there might be some things that can still be learnt.

Versions

• Sd.Kfz.234/1
  The most produced version with 220 produced from June 1944 (some say December 1943) until March 1945.
  
  Units known to have used them are
  - 1 SS PzDiv: 5 ex (late 1944)
  - 2 SS PzDiv: 13 ex (Aug 44)
  - 9 SS PzDiv: 4 (13 ?) ex (Oct 44)
  - 12 SS PzDiv: 4 ex (late 44)
  - 2 PzDiv: 2 ex (Late 44)
  - 4 PzDiv: 7 ex (Jan 45)
  - 6 PzDiv: 13 ex (July 44) - very doubtful
  - 8 PzDiv: 13 ex (Sep 44) - very doubtful
  - 9 PzDiv: 3 (13 ?) ex (Jun 44)
  - 11 PzDiv: 11 (13 ?) ex (Jul 44)
  - 25 PzDiv: 4 (?) ex (Mar 45)
  -116 PzDiv: 10 (13 ?) ex (Jun 44)
  -130 PzDiv (Pz Lehr): 13 ex (Nov 44)
  - PzGrenDiv Brandenburg: 13 ex (Jan 45)
  - FGB: 6 ex (Late 1944)
  - PzDiv Müncheberg: 3 (4 ?) ex (Mar 45)
  - PzDiv Clausewitz: 1 (?) ex (45)
  - BeglKp ZbV: 3 ex (Apr 45)
  - PzBrig 150: 6 ex (44)
  More info on the markings can be found on Feldgrau.

• Sd.Kfz.234/2
  While this variant is the most charismatic of the series, only 100 were produced from December 1943 (some say September 1943) until September 1944 (some say June 1945, but that seems unlikely).
  

  Very early models had a rear side visor on the left hand side.
  This is the only version that had two headlights

  Known field mods:
  - box on the rear left hand side mudguard
  - hooks for foliage
  - hand hold on the front hatch

  They were distributed as follows
  - 1 SS PZDiv: 16 ex: 3-tone camo, full markings, 3-digit codes
  - 2 PzDiv: 25 ex: either in dark yellow without numbers, crosses or licence plates, but with 2PzDiv trident or in 3-tone camo and full markings. More info on the markings can be found on Archive 1944-45 and on Feldgrau.
  - 2 PzDiv: 25 ex
  - 7 PzDiv: 6 ex
  - 13 PzDiv ?
  - 20 PzDiv: 16ex. At least one whitewashed
  - 130 PzDiv (PzLehr): 25 ex; dark yellow, no numbers or crosses
  - PzDiv Clausewitz ?
  - WaPruf

• Sd.Kfz.234/3
  90 produced from June 1944 until December 1944.
  Units known to have used them are
  - 1 SS PzDiv: 3 ex (late 1944)
  - 2SS PzDiv: 3 ex
  - 9 SS PzDiv: 3 ex (late 1944)
  - 12 SS PzDiv: 3 ex (late 1944)
  - 9 PzDiv: 3 ex (late 44)
  - 11 PzDiv: 3 ex (late 44)
  - 116 PzDiv: 2ex (late 44)
  - 130 PzDiv (Pz Lehr): 3 ex (late 44)
  More info on the markings can be found on Feldgrau.

• Sd.Kfz.234/4
  89 (90 ?)produced from December 1944 until April 1945.
  Units known to have used them are
  16 PzDiv
  21 PzDiv: 3 ex (April 45)
  25 PzDiv: 3 ex (March 45)
  116 PzDiv: 6 ex (April 45)
  PzDiv "HG": 3 ex (April 45)
  PzDiv "Schlesien": 3 ex (Feb 45)
  PzDiv "Jüterbog": 3 ex (Feb 45)
  PzDiv "Clausewitz": 2 ex (April 45)
  PzDiv "Müncheberg": 4 ex (March 45)
  PzD "Holstein"
  FBDiv: 6 ex (Feb 45)
  18. PzGrenDiv
  25 PzGrenDiv: 6 ex (April 45)
  Begl.Kp zbV: 3 ex (April 45)
  
  More info on the markings can be found on Feldgrau.

• Sd.Kfz.234 with Schwebelafette
  Probably a field conversion of an Sd.Kfz.234/3. Number produced unknown; only one confirmed.

• Sd.Kfz.234 with Luchs turret.
  Probably a field conversion of an Sd.Kfz.234/2 (based on the presence of the two headlights). Number unknown (some say five were built).

What is to be remembered from the above is that the /2 appeared first. Its production overlapped slightly with that of the /1 and /3. The /4 came last and its production only overlapped that of the /1.

Side bins

These evolved as follows:

• prototypes: 5 bins (only used on the /2)
• main production: 4 bins, hinged at the bottom (there exists one with mixed hinges)
• end of production: central bins dropped, others hinged at the top (only regularly seen on the /1 and /4, but at least one /3 has been spotted with this type)

Exhausts

These evolved as follows (but there is a lot of controversy about it):

• early: horizontal cylinder. Used on /2 and early /1 and /3. In this exhaust both exhaust tubes pointed to the left.
• late: vertical cylinder. Used on late versions of /1 and /3 and all /4, although at least one /4 with the early type has been identified.

Tires

At least 4 types have been identified.

Hubcaps

At least 2 types have been identified.

• early: domed, 2 holes and 8 bolts.
• late: flat, 12 or 5 (4 ?) holes and no bolts.

Command version

Command versions of /1 and /2 had a star antenna on the left hand side + a normal rod antenna on the turret. For the SdKfz234/2 this was done on one vehicle in two as they usually operated in pairs.
While a bit more rare, the Sd.Kfz.234/3 could also be fitted with an extra star antenna.