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| KITS |
World War II (1939-1945) |
Sd.Kfz.234 w/2cm Schwebelafette |  |  |
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Sd.Kfz.234 w/2cm Schwebelafette
Ref. # 6296
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Cyber Hobby
Price: Unknown
Material: Styrene, PE
Introduction
Dragon last year issued all four of the main 234 variants, and have now passed the baton to Cyber Hobby to release the more esoteric variants as part of their 'White box' range, meaning they are limited production kits that will not be re-issued at a future date.
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The 234/3 was more normally produced armed with a 7.5cm and an open turret, however this kit represents one fitted with 2 cm flaK in a Schwebelafette mounting, probably as a result of a field modification, although this is not certain. Pictures of it can be found on page 26 of Panzer in the Gunsights 2 from Concord Publications.
The kit
As ever with these white box kits, inside it's packaged identically to earleir Dragon releases, even in so far as the Dragon 'card' is there with the PE frets and 'extras' attached to it, with all the sprues beneath. It's also difficult to get back into the box, there being so much plastic present!
On the card you'll find two small PE frets, a beautiful set of four brass width indicators in two lengths, small decal sheet, two transparent sprues, and another sprue in the more normal grey styrene for the 2cm gun. Also in the box there are eleven large sprues of plastic, and three smaller ones. A separate chassis and lower hull is also supplied.
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Pic 18,
Pic 19,
Pic 20,
Pic 21,
Pic 22,
Pic 23,
Pic 24,
Pic 25,
Pic 26,
Pic 27,
Pic 28,
Pic 29,
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The construction is obviously similar to the other 234-based kits released by Dragon, at least until the upper hull. The marked difference being that in the 234/3 kit as issued by Dragon (kit #6257) we were given the option of mixing wheels of different type with the inclusion of sprue K which had the wheels constructed by assembling them from 'slices'. That sprue is not included in this kit.
The fenders in this kit are again of the later type with the four integral lockers, whether or not Cyber Hobby will produce a further update set for this kit remains unlikely since so few of this vehicle actually existed. Although it would be nice to see them produce a set that included a turned barrel. The one included in the kit is plastic, and although some attempt has been made through the use of slide moulding to produce the flash suppressor realistically, it can't really compete with the turned brass replacements that are on the market, although it should be possible with a 0.2mm bit to drill out the holes for a reasonable appearance on the suppressor.
There are some beautiful touches contained within this kit if you're unfamiliar with the 234 series of kits from Dragon, for example, the suspension and steering has to be seen to be believed. It's complicated to assemble, but the engineering is superb with everything fitting exactly as it should. Have a look at pictures 44 & 45 and you'll see what I mean. There are small 'pips' that help to line everything up straight, but can be easily removed if you want to be able to position the steering.
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Pic 30,
Pic 31,
Pic 32,
Pic 33,
Pic 34,
Pic 35,
Pic 36,
Pic 37,
Pic 38,
Pic 39,
Pic 40,
Pic 41,
Pic 42,
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Even if you choose not to display with a crew figure in the open top turret you'll still be able to see the busy inside, with transmission, crew seats, magazine racks etc. all in place. I have a small gripe about the magazine racks in that they're cleverly constructed 'nearly' fully-loaded, with four places empty, and these can either be left empty with the addition of some supplied PE or have separate magazines installed, the option of choosing which magazines to have missing would have been nice....but it's a small thing!
As far as the main gun goes although it's being advertised on DragonUSA as 'Newly' tooled, it's not. It's the same moulding as included in the 251/17 Ausf.D w/2cm Schwebelafette kit. It may have had some slight 'tweaking', but I couldn't find it. Of course we don't get the really nice pre-formed brass shields that cam with that kit, or even the PE ones we had to fold ourselves, but the plastic one supplied is actually quite thin and looks the part, although chamfering of the edges is used to make it appear thinner and more to scale.
The PE that is supplied with the kit is for the six jerry can inserts, some lifting brackets around the hull and some short armour plate inserts in the side of the turret housing. Although we're not offered the option of PE tool clamps, we are given on-vehicle tools without moulded on clamps if we wish to source PE tool clamps from elsewhere.
Marking Options
The decal sheet supplied is only a small one, and reflects the scarcity of references on these vehicles I suppose? On the instruction sheet there is only one paint scheme of a vehicle in two-tone camouflage with Balkancreuz but no numbers.
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Pic 43,
Pic 44,
Pic 45,
Pic 46,
Pic 47,
Pic 48,
Pic 49,
Pic 50,
Pic 51,
Pic 52,
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Conclusion
It certainly makes a very nice addition indeed to the 234 series of kits from Dragon, and will no doubt, sell out in next to no time! I can't wait to start building it! Highly recommended!
My Thanks to Cyber Hobby for the review sample
For full information on all Cyber Hobby products, please see their website,
Cyber Hobby
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| | Discuss this article, 1 of 28 messages, read more: |  Vinnie Branigan | |
| Posted: 22/04/08 11:18:57 57 | A look at the latest 'White box' kit fom Cyber Hobby based on the 234 chassis 
Vinnie |
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