Military Model Scene

Title: Puma, Sdkfz 234/1 and 234/2
Author: Dennis Oliver
Publisher: Pen & Sword
ISBN: 978-1-39905-029-6

Number 12 in the LandCraft series of books aimed primarily at modellers, from publisher Pen & Sword. A 64-page soft-cover book in the now standard format for this series, and another from author Dennis Oliver.
This one covers the 234/1 and 234/2 variants (the 234/3 and 234/4 were in an earlier title in this series), which are the 234/1 with a 2cm gun in a Hangelafette turret, open topped with mesh guard (similar but not identical to that on the smaller Sdkfz 222) while the 234/2 has the 5cm armed fully enclosed turret. Manufactured from 1943 these were not made in huge numbers, and as is pointed out in the book, it is difficult to be certain just how many were built. However, the first 16-pages are the allocations and detail of the units to which they were issued, and these include both Wehrmacht and SS units, on both Western and Eastern Fronts all in this one volume. This section on the real thing is followed by 10 pages of excellent colour profile artwork to illustrate colours and markings seen on both types, including the late-war factory applied camouflage colours. Then it is the turn of the model showcase, which I was pleased to see starts with a lovely build of the old Matchbox 1/76 model of the Puma with the turreted 5cm gun. That's followed by three 1/35 models of the 234/1, with the 2cm gun, all expertly done. For those wanting to build their own, there are 6 pages outlining the various models available in assorted scales, and the various detailing and accessory sets that are available too. Then it is back to the real thing, and details of the various technical details and modifications that were carried on on both types. Something I'd not picked up on before, later built examples only had 2 stowage bins in the long mudguards rather than 4. Plenty of archive photos throughout.
Add a couple of pages for a table of vehicle allocations and then a closing section with unit organisation charts for the Aufklarungs Abteilungs in the final years of the war and this makes a useful reference for modellers, and of course a helpful companion piece to the earlier book on the other variants. As a development of the earlier Sdkfz 231 series, these were effective reconnaissance vehicles. The mix of information on the real thing plus the model showcase and product listing make another useful addition to this series I think.
Thanks to Pen & Sword for this review copy.

Robin