Author Topic: Sd.Kfz. 234/5  (Read 21822 times)

Offline Claymore

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Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« on: October 12, 2016, 05:53:11 AM »
Having started the M3 Stonewall FSV early and pushed it through to the painting stage, I've been thinking of perhaps doing a second build for the GB. 

This is another design I have had kicking around for some time and although I've had a Sd.Kfz. 234/2 Puma hull lying around since I built the little 'Otter' air-portable panzer, it was only today that I picked up a Sd.Kfz. 251/1 in a clearance sale for £10 - bargain!

The plan would be to smash the two kits together to create a wheeled APC something like...

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Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #1 on: October 12, 2016, 06:09:49 AM »
Snap !

been down the same path, would love to see your take though

Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #2 on: October 12, 2016, 06:22:42 AM »
Doh!  :icon_surprised:

Nice looking job there.  Hopefully, my design will be different enough not to count as plagiarism!  ;)
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Offline Weaver

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #3 on: October 12, 2016, 08:46:19 AM »
Have to say, I think Buzzbomb's layout, with the longer mudguard forward, is better looking. It matches the line and angle of the bonnet (hood) better.
"I have described nothing but what I saw myself, or learned from others" - Thucydides

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Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #4 on: October 12, 2016, 03:30:19 PM »
Hmmm, each to their own. Although, I might do a bit of redesign work on the rear part of the mudguard as there is a lot of wasted space that could be used for stowage as per the later models of the Sd.Kfz. 251/1. Standby to standby...  ;)
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Offline Old Wombat

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #5 on: October 12, 2016, 03:31:44 PM »
And he's off with build #2! :D
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #6 on: October 12, 2016, 07:20:21 PM »
What can I say, I'm like butter... I'm on a roll!  ;)

OK a little bit of redesign and I think it looks a lot better for it and would be more practical.  Well I think so anyway!  :P



Now to see if I can build the damned thing!
« Last Edit: October 12, 2016, 07:23:42 PM by Claymore »
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Offline Old Wombat

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #7 on: October 12, 2016, 08:30:09 PM »
I like it! :)

Vehicle tools & supplies, & the troops' non-combat equipment could be stashed in the bins & keep the interior less cluttered, whilst allowing it to be more independent of a fixed base.

Jerry can racks at the rear might be useful, too.
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #8 on: October 12, 2016, 08:54:35 PM »
Agreed, you can't have too many Jerry cans - especially if you are a Jerry!  ;)
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Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #9 on: October 13, 2016, 03:01:26 AM »
Agreed, you can't have too many Jerry cans - especially if you are a Jerry!  ;)

That's shocking...show yourself to the door...and don't forget your hat and coat!
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Offline Weaver

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #10 on: October 13, 2016, 05:32:42 AM »
Agreed, you can't have too many Jerry cans - especially if you are a Jerry!  ;)

That's shocking...show yourself to the door...and don't forget your hat and coat!

*greatcoat
"I have described nothing but what I saw myself, or learned from others" - Thucydides

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Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #11 on: October 13, 2016, 05:50:56 AM »
Taxi!  ;)
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Offline Jeffry Fontaine

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #12 on: October 13, 2016, 05:54:05 AM »
<...>OK a little bit of redesign and I think it looks a lot better for it and would be more practical.  Well I think so anyway!  :P



Now to see if I can build the damned thing!

That looks rather convincing.  :)
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Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #13 on: October 13, 2016, 06:24:10 AM »
Cheers Jeff.  :)
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Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #14 on: October 13, 2016, 07:33:22 AM »
I like the refined design, it has all the practicality needed.

there is a challenging difference in chassis width

Which I am pretty sure you will solve better than my Saracenesque cop out solution

Offline Logan Hartke

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #15 on: October 13, 2016, 08:52:12 AM »
People don't realize just how small the SdKfz 251 really was. The interior of the M3 halftrack was really roomy by comparison.

Cheers,

Logan

Offline Kerick

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #16 on: October 13, 2016, 09:56:15 AM »
I say just do it!!

Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #17 on: October 16, 2016, 05:40:28 AM »
Early days as yet but starting to take shape.  I have decided that the Sd.Kfz. 234/5 will be called the 'Mammoth'

« Last Edit: November 02, 2023, 10:23:27 PM by Claymore »
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Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #18 on: October 16, 2016, 05:52:14 AM »
It looks a bit like a GTX Boxer base vehicle with its rear removed in that pic.
« Last Edit: October 16, 2016, 05:54:56 AM by GTX_Admin »
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

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Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #19 on: October 16, 2016, 06:10:34 AM »
I guess it does but then again both vehicles are designed for the same task so...
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Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #20 on: October 17, 2016, 02:11:03 AM »
I've been doing a little bit more on the Sd.Kfz. 234/5 Mammut (Mammoth) and things are definitely taking shape...



« Last Edit: November 02, 2023, 10:24:18 PM by Claymore »
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Offline taiidantomcat

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #21 on: October 17, 2016, 03:21:59 AM »
Nice job!! Looking very natural
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Offline Kerick

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #22 on: October 17, 2016, 03:43:21 AM »
And a little bit Russian!  ;)
Carry on!!

Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #23 on: October 17, 2016, 04:03:23 AM »
Thanks guys.

So far so good - everything seems to be fitting together nicely.  Moving the Sd.Kfz 234 engine deck to the front certainly gives the Mammoth a square-jawed powerful look. 
Pass the razor saw, there is work to be done!

Offline Old Wombat

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #24 on: October 17, 2016, 05:43:27 PM »
 :)
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline LemonJello

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #25 on: October 17, 2016, 07:43:47 PM »
I think this is going to be another stunner.  Looking forward to future updates.

Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #26 on: October 18, 2016, 05:34:19 AM »
Just too cool nailed it already

Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #27 on: October 18, 2016, 06:34:00 AM »
Thanks chaps. It almost seems a shame to add the fenders and lose that beach buggy on steroids look...  :))
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Offline Volkodav

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #28 on: October 18, 2016, 08:15:25 AM »
But didn't the 234/5 have six stud wheels not five? ;)

Offline Kerick

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #29 on: October 23, 2016, 05:09:21 AM »
Now don't start that again!! >:D

Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #30 on: October 23, 2016, 06:42:57 AM »
But didn't the 234/5 have six stud wheels not five? ;)

Now don't start that again!! >:D

Doh!  :o
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Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #31 on: October 23, 2016, 08:25:32 PM »
Sd.Kfz. 234/5 Mammut (Mammoth) Update

A minor advance on the build front but a major rethink on where it is going and a good example of where sometimes a great idea in 2D doesn't match expectations in 3D.

My original idea was to have the sides of the crew compartment of the Mammoth boxed in for extra vehicular storage.  However, when it came to doing the business it just didn't feel right and made the vehicle look too much like an 8-wheeled shoe box and had entirely lost the feel of either the Sd.Kfz. 234 or the Sd.Kfz 251. 

So, in homage to both contributory vehicles, I am going to go with my original design layout which emphasises both the characteristic angular fenders of the Sd.Kfz. 234 and the angled sides of the Sd.Kfz. 251.  The end result will also give me a good surface for mounting the various pioneer tools, jacks and ubiquitous jerrycans.

« Last Edit: November 02, 2023, 10:24:56 PM by Claymore »
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Offline Weaver

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #32 on: October 23, 2016, 10:57:42 PM »
Might I suggest an alternative? Keep the horizontal top edge of the new-style mudguard (which makes logical sense) but cut the back edge along the same line as the original back edge, i.e. sloping forwards at quite a steep angle. This way you still get the original visual effect of the V-shaped hull protruding from the rear.

It's hard to explain, so I've done a quick Paint job on your second image:


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"I have described nothing but what I saw myself, or learned from others" - Thucydides

"I've jazzed mine up a bit" - Spike Milligan

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Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #33 on: October 23, 2016, 11:45:52 PM »
Mate, that is an awesome job (what prog did you use?).  In the end, however, it only convinces me more that the original fender lines are what I want to go with. 

Pass the razor saw, there is work to be done!

Offline Weaver

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #34 on: October 24, 2016, 01:34:01 AM »
Mate, that is an awesome job (what prog did you use?).  In the end, however, it only convinces me more that the original fender lines are what I want to go with.

LMAO - it's Paint: the simple system that comes with every PC. The only reason it looks good is because the pic's small: if you blew it up to full size then believe me, the cracks would show in full effect.
"I have described nothing but what I saw myself, or learned from others" - Thucydides

"I've jazzed mine up a bit" - Spike Milligan

"I'm a general specialist," - Harry Purvis in Tales from the White Hart by Arthur C. Clarke

Twitter: @hws5mp
Minds.com: @HaroldWeaverSmith

Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #35 on: October 24, 2016, 01:46:43 AM »
LMAO - it's Paint: the simple system that comes with every PC. The only reason it looks good is because the pic's small: if you blew it up to full size then believe me, the cracks would show in full effect.

Really?  I use Paint a lot for my line drawings but have never really tried it on manipulating photographs.  Even though it is small scale the effect of your work is very good.  I will have to experiment for myself...  ;)
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Offline Weaver

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #36 on: October 24, 2016, 07:46:40 AM »
It's a slow and painstaking PITA to be honest, but I've learnt some techniques with it and I don't do stuff like this often enough to make it worth crawling up the learning curve of a better program.

The trick with photographs is copying the textures used for shaded colours. Paint has no facility to copy an area of colour, just the individual pixel that you click on, so the only way to copy shaded colours that are made of loads of different coloured pixels is to copy and paste an area of it. Use the irregular area copy tool and then flip it different ways when you paste it to avoid repetetive patterns. Then copy and paste some of what you've already done to mix it up even more. Extending shading into narrow areas is a paint but you can do it.

The other thing is to be methodical and copy EVERYTHING before you change it. Paint has no layers or masks like Photoshop, so once you drop Image A onto Image B, Image B is changed forever unless you've got a backup copy.
"I have described nothing but what I saw myself, or learned from others" - Thucydides

"I've jazzed mine up a bit" - Spike Milligan

"I'm a general specialist," - Harry Purvis in Tales from the White Hart by Arthur C. Clarke

Twitter: @hws5mp
Minds.com: @HaroldWeaverSmith

Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #37 on: October 24, 2016, 02:19:50 PM »
Thanks mate, much appreciated.  :)
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Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #38 on: October 24, 2016, 03:31:13 PM »
Wow Weaver that is nice work


Offline LemonJello

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #39 on: October 24, 2016, 09:18:19 PM »
Looking at the latest photos, the first version with the extended mud guards/sponsons looks good, but a more generic AFV - it could be any nationality, while the second version has a much more German AFV feel to it.

I don't know if that's what you're going for, but that's the impression that I get from looking at the pics.

Either way, it's still an awesome project. 

Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #40 on: October 25, 2016, 03:55:36 AM »
I think you are absolutely right and it is indeed the German look I am after...
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Offline Kerick

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #41 on: October 25, 2016, 10:04:52 AM »
I would stick with pic 2 also. Much more German look as stated.

Offline Old Wombat

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #42 on: October 25, 2016, 03:51:44 PM »
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #43 on: November 04, 2016, 09:48:37 PM »
Sd.Kfz. 234/5 Mammut (Mammoth) Update

All spruced up in her undercoat.  Hopefully, I will get both entries finished this weekend.



« Last Edit: November 02, 2023, 10:26:32 PM by Claymore »
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Offline Old Wombat

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #44 on: November 04, 2016, 10:41:05 PM »
Looking good! :)

Got a scheme sorted? ???
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #45 on: November 04, 2016, 10:52:46 PM »
Probably just the standard German 3-tone but my airbrush has been acting up of late and getting any sort of fine detail out of it might be a no go.  I might therefore go with the standard Dark Yellow base with an angular green pattern on top much like I did for the little Otter tank I did a few months back...  :-\

Pass the razor saw, there is work to be done!

Offline Old Wombat

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #46 on: November 04, 2016, 11:21:52 PM »
Not a bad scheme &, in conjunction with the Otter, it would make a good enhanced mobility vehicle for Fallschirmjägers. :)

However,, if you can do it, the 3-colour scheme would blend it into the Griffon, Thor, un-named PzKpfw IV IFV group (although I'm thinking the Otter association may be more suitable). ;)
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline LemonJello

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #47 on: November 05, 2016, 12:28:33 AM »
I've said it before, but with the primer on it, you'd think this was a standard kit and not a kit-bash.  Excellent workmanship on top of a great concept.

Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #48 on: November 05, 2016, 12:34:12 AM »
Not a bad scheme &, in conjunction with the Otter, it would make a good enhanced mobility vehicle for Fallschirmjägers. :)

However,, if you can do it, the 3-colour scheme would blend it into the Griffon, Thor, un-named PzKpfw IV IFV group (although I'm thinking the Otter association may be more suitable). ;)

Ah, you're not wrong... decisions, decisions!!  :-\

I've said it before, but with the primer on it, you'd think this was a standard kit and not a kit-bash.  Excellent workmanship on top of a great concept.

Thank you indeed.  :)
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Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #49 on: November 05, 2016, 04:15:41 AM »
Looks good.  It would also look good in a African scheme.
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

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Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #50 on: November 05, 2016, 04:32:48 AM »
Gorgeous!

Offline Camthalion

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #51 on: November 17, 2016, 07:48:45 PM »
That looks cool,  Nice one

Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #52 on: November 19, 2016, 12:57:07 AM »
Sd.Kfz. 234/5 Mammut (Mammoth) Update

Although belonging to the Luftwaffe, the Fallschirmjäger had always been regarded amongst the elite of Germany’s fighting soldiers.  None more so than the 1st Parachute Division who’s impressive and extensive combat history records it as the unit that was responsible for all of the early German airborne victories.

Given their elite status, the Fallschirmjäger benefitted from the very best of training and had access to the very best of equipment. That said, paratroopers, by definition and employment are, at best, little more than light infantry and whilst courage, endurance and fighting spirit are without doubt combat multipliers, a lack of heavy equipment has always been a tactical limitation. 

Whilst by the summer of 1944 the Fallschirmjäger had, for all intense and purposes, lost their airborne role, they still maintained their fighting spirit and elite status.  Wherever the fighting was hardest or at its most desperate, the ‘Green Devils’ could be found.  In recognition of their new earth-bound role, the Orbat of the Parachute Divisions was changed to closer reflect that of their line infantry cousins.

However, given the tendency for commanders to use the Fallschirmjäger to bolster the line wherever it was at its weakest, their lack of tactical mobility was a problem. Virtually all of the Army’s Sd. Kfz. 251/1 Hanomag halftracks went to the hard pressed Panzergrenadiers and whilst lorries were available, they were not tactically suited to the needs of the paratroopers. In the end, Hermann Göring himself intervened and so it was that Sd. Kfz. 234/5 Mammut (Mammoth) was born.

 Built on the 8-wheeled hull of the Sd. Kfz. 234/1 Armoured Car, the Mammoth was, nevertheless, a somewhat more radical change in design over the other vehicles of the 234 family.  With the large 14,825cc, air-cooled Tatra 103 diesel engine mounted in the front, the rear troop compartment could comfortably accommodate a crew of 2 + 10.  Although the Mammoth’s off-road capability was slightly less than the Hanomag, its top speed of 80km/h more than made up when compared to the leisurely pace of the halftrack (52km/h).

Even with their bespoke carriers, there were never enough Mammoths in circulation for the Fallschirmjäger to be considered true armoured infantry. Indeed, it was the norm that the Division’s combat Regiments remained as light infantry but were supported by a mobility Regiment of Mammoth APCs. 

The model depicts the 3rd vehicle, 3rd platoon, 2nd company of the 1st Parachute Division’s mobility Regiment and is made out of an Italeri Sd. Kfz. 234/2 Puma, a Tamiya Sd. Kfz 251/1, some bits and pieces from the spares box and, of course, our good ol’ friend Mr Plastic Card.








« Last Edit: November 02, 2023, 10:27:57 PM by Claymore »
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Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #53 on: November 19, 2016, 03:36:37 AM »
Nice finish.  It would be cool to see one of these being unloaded from a Me323...
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Offline taiidantomcat

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #54 on: November 19, 2016, 03:40:41 AM »
perfect!!  :-*
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Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #55 on: November 19, 2016, 04:29:21 AM »
Thank you kindly.  :)
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Offline LemonJello

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #56 on: November 19, 2016, 08:21:06 AM »
Another enviable project completed! I now have inspiration for something similar for the PTO/USMC, maybe as a replacement/alternative to the LVT?

Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #57 on: November 19, 2016, 04:44:33 PM »
Looking forward to it!  :)
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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #58 on: November 19, 2016, 10:56:53 PM »

Offline Claymore

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Re: Sd.Kfz. 234/5
« Reply #59 on: November 20, 2016, 12:20:42 AM »
 :)) Thank you.  :))
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