Sd.Kfz.234/2 Puma
Heavy Armoured Car
Hasegawa, 1/72
S u m m a r y |
Catalogue
Number: |
Hasagawa MT52 Puma. |
Scale: |
1/72 |
Contents and
Media: |
122 light grey parts in
injection moulded plastic on 8 sprues, decals for three vehicles
[plus many extras], four page fold-out instructions with
history, build diagrams, parts plan and paint/decal drawing.
|
Price: |
USD$9.96 from Squadron.com |
Review
Type: |
First Look |
Advantages: |
Seems to be accurate in
over-all dimensions, turret hatches open, some interior detail,
some build options and one figure supplied. |
Disadvantages: |
Some parts over scale
[corner clearance rods], paint/decal drawings for only one
vehicle, no dampers on suspention and lockers in guards not
boxed in. |
Recommendation: |
Highly Recommended
|
Reviewed by
Glenn Porter
Hasegawa's 1/72 scale Sd Kfz 234/2
Puma is available online from
Squadron.com
Generally, I don't have a very high opinion of Hasagawa's armour
kits although, I must admit, some of their recent offerings aren't
too bad. When I saw this kit in my local, I was at two minds whether
to buy it or not. Curiosity got the better of me and I shelled out a
rather cheap thirteen dollars Australian.
Now, I like pleasant surprises and this kit definitely is one.
It's as if Hasagawa has looked at
Roden's Puma and
decided to better it. In most instances they have. That is not to
say there is anything wrong with Roden's kit, but this one, in my
opinion, is superior. Ah, I think I had better qualify that now.
Click the thumbnails
below to view larger images:
My main criticism of all the Roden 8 Rads was that they had their
hatches closed. Not that they would be hard to open, but Hasegawa
has saved you the trouble. Hasegawa has moulded the tyres separate
from the rims. When you have eight to paint, this makes it much
easier. All the photos I've got of Pumas, [and thats not many], show
a box on the left rear guard. I get the impression that some had
this and some didn't. Anyway, Hasegawa give you the option. There's
also a pack of some kind to go on the rear deck and a figure, that's
better than their usual, to go in the turret.
The
moulding is up to Hasegawa's usual standard which means clean and
crisp and there is plenty of raised and engraved detail. There is
also, a small amount of interior detail for the lower hull, but this
will not be seen in the Puma and is obviously for other variants to
be produced later. However, if you decide not to use the figure,
there is some detail for the turret interior which will be visable
through the open hatches.
The only parts that I could see that I would criticise, are the four
corner clearance rods [called fender poles in the instructions],
wich are over scale and would be better replaced with wire. Of
lesser importance, and not noticeable if the model is mounted, are
the lockers in the guards, which are open from the bottom and need
to be boxed in and there are no dampers on the suspension.
Decals have, as usual from Hasegawa, good register and are nicely
printed but with very thick carrier film. I would recommend
replacing them if you can.
Instructions are easy to follow with eleven clearly numbered
diagrams and all parts are numbered and named. The paint/decal
diagram, on the other hand, has markings for only one machine unlike
the decal sheet which covers three.
In the near future I will be doing a comparison between this and the
Roden offering. In the meantime, if you have the opportunity to buy
one of these, don't hesitate. You won't regret it.
Highly Recommended
Review and Images Copyright © 2005 by Glen Porter
Page Created 29 April, 2005 Last updated
28 April, 2005
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