"Puma..." Topic

Never had one, need one for a Battlegroup scenario!

She still needs a base… but done…

Lovely it looks such a complicated task to have got that look.I could stare into that for ages.

One of my favourite vehicles, simply due (I think) to a teenager memory of putting the Matchbox kit together, which came with a street scene diorama to set the vehicle on. It was the first kit that I ever bought that had such a thing and it just seemed to elevate the model to another level.

Great work as always Piers!

That's a great looking Puma. Well done!

One of my favourites too, and not from teenage nostalgia – as an Airfix devotee, I built the 234/4, the 75mm SPG version. The Puma just looks "right" – the way the turret sits forward on the hull, the long gun thrusting forward – it just looks fast and aggressive. Its looks fit its role perfectly. Another I like for the same reason is the Hetzer – the form fits the purpose.

I agree, very nicely done!

Terry

Beautiful work Piers!

Piers:
Man, you do great work. Bravo once again, sir. Those who get to game with your outstanding models should count themselves very lucky. You inspire and intimidate all at once; but mostly inspire. Thank you for posting this.
Cheers and good gaming.
Rod Robertson.

I always feel the Puma wouldn't look a lot out of place in a modern army. It has that 'ahead of its time' feel.

Lovely finish on a fine model.

The Puma does look cool. But I wonder how effective it was in combat. I know it was a rare beast and operated usually under air and massive numerical superiority.

That said I like the concept of a recce vehicle that can fight as well as look…as long as the crew [and commanders] know their role and stick to it.

I had the Matchbox kit too and loved it.

Always wanted a scifi version of these.

Very nice paint job btw.

My favourite WWII armoured car with an exceptional paint job. Simply beautiful Piers.

Thanks guys…

I think the Matchbox model is actually nicer but the Italeri one is 1/72 so went with that. Also better for conversions into other variants…

too pretty to put on a base!

Well done!

As for how well it performed, it didn't have much armor, but it's gun could take out any armored car or light tank the Allies/Soviets had. Don't understand why the Germans only made 100 of them. I believe the turret was originally designed for the upgraded Pz II.

The turret was for the Leopard… a kinda mini Panther…

"One of my favourites too, and not from teenage nostalgia – as an Airfix devotee, I built the 234/4, the 75mm SPG version."
Ah yes, the Airfix 234/4. Aside from the fact that the 234 didn't have separate mudguards that looked like boats, there weren't any 234's of any type in the desert. I ended up with three, one I scratchbuilt proper mudguards based on the Matchbox Puma, the other I bashed with a Matchbox Pz 2, making a Marder 2 and 231 8 rad. The turret had to be completely rebuilt and was too small. Then I ended up with a finished kit in a swap, complete with the AK palm tree decal.

Oh please, do not place this fine model on a base. Well done.

Mike

Will based like all my models…

I don't like repairing damaged wheels.

I dislike bases on vehicle models too, but Piers has his reasons and they make sense. If you travel a lot it stops damage to the models.

You can fiddle about with foam spacers and so on but if you have a lot of stuff to move bases makes sense. People can help pack up if you use bases but the foam jigsaw tends to defeat many people.

Were I in Piers shoes I'd consider using magnets to hold the models to their bases but that may be going a bit far!

EDIT – also, since these are often plastic models with fragile tracks and wheels enthusiastic players making tank noises can sometimes get carried away.

Very nice. It's too bad there isn't a surviving example of a Puma.

Oh I love Pumas :)and a lovely one that is.
Zippy and quiet, they dont hang around to get shot at with enough room to manoeuvre they can be very elusive little devils. We need to persuade PSC to make the 234 series and Schwimmwagens Piers. I nag him at least once a week!lol
I like bases myself adds to the look and definately needed with elaborate chassis like 234's.
L

Nag mode engaged…

But it means I will have to sort out the research!

lol merely collateral damage Piers.
L

Truly beautiful work! Well done!

Great as allways, like the rest of your work anyway! You're an inspiration to a lot of hobby miniature wargamers.

I also have a puma in my closet. It's a 1/72 model from Hasegawa and I still didn't find the courage to make and paint it. Perhaps one day…

Cheers guys, glad ye like it.

Burdie… get that Puma out of storage! :)

The Germans made 101 Pumas during the war. I wonder how many miniature versions are out there? Thousands, tens of thousands?

Well i have 1… :)

I've got 1 as well….but it's still on its sprues in a box….

Superb work Piers…as ever.

Errrrrrr I have 4 in 1/72 scale, 5 in 35th scale and probably 50 in 6mm………..every time a firm brings out a new version I cant resist………..and I think theres a couple more 1/72 scale ones around somewhere on a shelf.
L
ps and yes I am undergoing therapy…………..