Land Craft 12: Puma Sdkfz 234/1 and Sdkfz 234/2 Heavy Armoured Cars German Army and Waffen-SS, Western and Eastern Fronts, 1944-1945

The lightning advances of the German armoured units during the Polish and French campaigns were spearheaded by fast-moving, armed reconnaissance vehicles. But these early designs suffered heavily due to their light weaponry and thin armour and a programme was soon underway, led by the firm of Büssing-NAG, which culminated in the development of the Sdkfz 234 series of heavy eight-wheeled armoured cars, the first of which entered service in late 1943. These vehicles proved to be rugged and reliable and were gradually up-armed to serve in the infantry support role and eventually as tank killers. This volume of the LandCraft series concludes the story of the Sdkfz 234 series, examining the versions that took part in the last battles of the war. Using archive photos and extensively researched colour illustrations Dennis Oliver examines the Sdkfz 234/1 and Sdkfz 234/2and the units that operated these often neglected, yet important, armoured vehicles. A key section of his book displays available model kits and aftermarket products, complemented by a gallery of beautifully constructed and painted models in various scales. Technical details as well as modifications introduced during production and in the field are also examined, providing everything the modeller needs to recreate an accurate representation of these historic tanks.