AFV Club # AF35233 1/35 Schwerer Panzerspahwagen Sd.Kfz.233 8-Rad with 7.5cm Gun

AFV Club # AF35233 1/35 Schwerer Panzerspahwagen Sd.Kfz.233 8-Rad with 7.5cm Gun

Kit Background
AFV Club has released an updated version of their original (excellent) eight-wheeled Sd.Kfz. 232 – this time representing an open-topped, -233 version armed with the 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 main gun. While this kit has been out for some time, the specific vehicle type has remained under-represented in the industry.

There is quite a lot of interior provided; including two driver’s compartments (one for each set of four wheels, fore and aft) and every hatch and view port on the vehicle can be modeled in the open or closed position. Still, with the large main weapon and the streamlined super-structure, precious little is visible on the completed model. Flipping the hull over uncovers an abundance of detail offered in the gear, axles and other odds and ends underneath and around the eight positionable wheels

Background
The heavy PanzerFunkwagen was a large but very fast and highly versatile addition to the German Army. The original 6 Rad (6 wheeled) versions were based on a 6x4 truck with an armored body, and were eventually replaced in 1937 with the 8 Rad versions. During the replacement, the Sd.Kfz. (Sonderkraftfahrzeug, ‘special vehicle’) numbers were carried directly over; differentiation is made by the addition of 6-Rad or 8-Rad in the vehicle's name.

These vehicles were used for the traditional cavalry missions of reconnaissance and screening. They scouted ahead and to the flank of advancing mechanized units to assess enemy location, strength and intention. Their primary role was reconnaissance, but they would engage similar or light units and at times attempt to capture enemy patrols. They appeared throughout the war in various guises and first saw combat in the campaign against Poland and in the Battle of France. Later, they saw use in both the USSR and North Africa, but extreme climatic conditions in both these areas proved too severe for the vehicle. On the Eastern front, adverse ground conditions immobilized 150 Sd.Kfz 232s during the first wet season of the campaign. The speed of the eight-wheeled cars made them the best scouting vehicles that Rommel had for long range reconnaissance across the wide desert territory in Africa.

 assembly required. Paints and glue not included.