The latest member of MiniArt's Sd.Kfz. 234 family is the heavy-hitting 234/4 variant, which receives the Interior format treatment - see what's new here!
Ukrainian manufacturer MiniArt has been quick to follow its stunning new-tool 1/35 Sd.Kfz.234/2 Puma (35414) with the later /4 variant, which was equipped with a version of the 7.5cm PaK 40 anti-tank gun in an open-topped hull. While it shares 15 styrene runners with the earlier boxing, this new kit (35427) also includes ten additional frames, catering for the modified upper hull, open fighting compartment and the exquisitely detailed main armament. As with all of MiniArt’s recent armour kits, it’s a game-changer in terms of detail and overall refinement, with this initial boxing of the type being of the iNTERiOR format, meaning there’s a complete engine, transmission, driver’s compartment and radio fit. Of note, a different approach is taken with the wheels, which come in halves, rather than the previous multi-piece segmented versions. No one to rest on its laurels, MiniArt has tweaked the photo-etched brass fret too, providing harnesses for hull-mounted jerrycans, the radio operators headset band, engine components and gun shield plate.
Markings are supplied for four late-war vehicles; three wear disruptive three-tone camouflage, while the fourth has a winter distemper. With an Sd.Kfz.234/1 already announced, MiniArt has almost completed this family of vehicles, and it’s going to be interesting to see what comes next.
MiniArt’s 1/35 Sd.Kfz.234/4 Schwerer Panzerspähwagen 7.5cm retails for £74.99 and is available via UK importer Creative Models.
