Sd.Kfz. 234/2 Puma
By: Andreas Malsch
Awarded: Silver
Manufacturer: Hasegawa
Modifications:
Scratchbuilt fenders, new Wheels and complete scratchbuilt chassis, new made opened Turret hatch, PE from PART, ABER Gun with Italeri Muzzle break, many details of the equipment replaced, new Tools, Jerrycan and Jack, Preiser figure, Puma is painting with Tamiya Acryls, some Filters with Enamel Colors, weathering with oils, MIG and other pigments fir-tree´s made from copper wire, PE-parts and soldering tin
Description:
In April 1945 the 20th Panzer Division was involved in a counteroffensive in the near of Görlitz, but disengaged 3 days later and retreated west. By the 26th of April 1945 the division was situated northwest of Dresden, however by the 6th of May it was forced to retreat south across to the Czechoslovakian border. Some elements of the division surrendered to the Soviets near Teplice-Sanov (northwest of Prague), whilst the rest including elements of Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 20. managed to surrender to the Americans at Rokycany, (between Prague and Plzeň). My small diorama points a Sd.Kfz. 243/2 Puma in search of the American troops.
Modifications:
Scratchbuilt fenders, new Wheels and complete scratchbuilt chassis, new made opened Turret hatch, PE from PART, ABER Gun with Italeri Muzzle break, many details of the equipment replaced, new Tools, Jerrycan and Jack, Preiser figure, Puma is painting with Tamiya Acryls, some Filters with Enamel Colors, weathering with oils, MIG and other pigments fir-tree´s made from copper wire, PE-parts and soldering tin
Description:
In April 1945 the 20th Panzer Division was involved in a counteroffensive in the near of Görlitz, but disengaged 3 days later and retreated west. By the 26th of April 1945 the division was situated northwest of Dresden, however by the 6th of May it was forced to retreat south across to the Czechoslovakian border. Some elements of the division surrendered to the Soviets near Teplice-Sanov (northwest of Prague), whilst the rest including elements of Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 20. managed to surrender to the Americans at Rokycany, (between Prague and Plzeň). My small diorama points a Sd.Kfz. 243/2 Puma in search of the American troops.
Comments:
Judge 1Simple composition but you’ve made you diorama looking interesting by placing the main object, the vehicle, across the base with some angle of elevation. The chapel is a lovely addition that doesn’t attract too much attention, but adds to overall interest of the work. Groundwork of the diorama is well done in terms of materials though the color of the road is too grayish in my opinion (or it is a road made of asphalts?). Vegetation is quite variable and quite bright. While looking at a couple of photos, there is an impression that the vehicle is moving across a forest, although only two trees are present on the base. The vehicle is a perfect model with excellent level of details, nice scratch-building and good painting and weathering. The single weak point of the whole diorama is the figure, which is painted in a very simple way.
Judge 2
If there would be an open month, it will be a maximum point from me, as the vehicle is very well detailed, and the paintwork is also outstanding. The greatest mistake you made was placing this perfect kit in this not so perfect dio. There are some very important details in the dio, what simply can't reach the level of the vehicle. The grass is nice, and look's like the real one. But the surface of the road is a bit problematic. Also the trees are unsuitable. I'm sure you can construct better ones using some moss, and other natural materials. If you still can change the trees and correct the road, I suggest you doing it, because the other details, and the whole contruction look's very nice, and the vehicle deserves a better surroundings.
Judge 3
A nicely posed and realistic looking scene, displayed to best advantage in your excellent photographs. The work on the Puma is outstanding at every level, with an intricate build, well executed and suitable paintwork and fantastic weathering. My only issue would be the netting on the gun barrel, which looks a little plastic and doesn't hang well. The figure does not appear to have been painted to the same standard as the vehicle and looks very flat and lacking in facial detail or expression. His uniform too looks odd with a semi-gloss sheen that just doesn't look right. Your base and groundwork are generally very nicely done, but as another judge has pointed out, let down by the model railway style pine trees.
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