Roden 703 1/72 Sd.Kfz 234/1

The new Sd.Kfz.234 was equipped with a 20mm KwK38 gun installed in a hexagonal turret, allowing 360 degree rotation and a good vertical arc of fire. Installed the same way in the Sd.Kfz.222 and the Sd.Kfz.250/9, it showed itself to be very effective in combat. The low turret was covered by netting, and had 14.5mm armor on side and 30 mm in front. A 7.92 mm MG 42 machine gun was also installed on the turret, offset to the left. As the Sd.Kfz.234/1 was mainly designed for reconnaissance, it was equipped with two wireless stations and a 2 meter radio aerial was fitted at the rear of the turret. Serial production of the Sd.Kfz.234/1 started in June 1944 and it was an opportune time, as the Allied Air forces dominated on the Western Front and the air raids of British and American ground attack aircraft were continuous. Most of the 200 Sd.Kfz.234/1 produced before 1945 were sent to the Western Front.