Sd.Kfz. 231 German Heavy Armored Car 1:72 First To Fight PL064

Plastic model kit: Sd.Kfz. 231 German heavy armored car 1:72 First To Fight PL064

The Sd.Kfz. 231 German heavy armored car model kit in 1:72 scale from First To Fight is an excellent proposition for enthusiasts of military history and modeling. This detailed set allows you to recreate one of the first German combat vehicles used during World War II. The model depicts the heavy armored car Sd.Kfz. 231, which was part of a series of German three-axle reconnaissance vehicles constructed in the 1930s.

Model features:

• Scale: 1:72
• Manufacturer: First To Fight
• Catalog number: PL064
• Material: Plastic

History and construction of the vehicle:

Sd.Kfz. 231 (6-Rad) was one of the first heavy armored cars produced for the German army, which secretly rebuilt its armed forces after World War I, violating the restrictions of the Versailles Treaty. These vehicles were built on the chassis of trucks from three companies: Daimler-Benz, Bussing-NAG, and Magirus. They utilized three-axle chassis, which was a compromise between production costs and off-road capabilities.

The vehicle was equipped with a rotating turret with a KwK 30 L/55 gun and an MG 13 machine gun. The armor consisted of steel plates ranging from 4 to 13 mm thick, providing protection against light firearms and shrapnel. Although the vehicle was only powered by the two rear axles, with only the front axle being steerable, it was used in reconnaissance operations in Poland, France, the Balkans, and in the early stages of Operation Barbarossa.

Development versions:

• Sd.Kfz. 232: A reconnaissance version equipped with a radio station, featuring a characteristic frame antenna mounted above the turret. The vehicle's weight increased to 6.1 tons.
• Sd.Kfz. 263 Panzerfunkwagen: A radio communication vehicle with an additional seat for a radio operator. It had only one MG 13 machine gun in a fixed turret, and its weight was 5.75 tons.

Combat use:

Sd.Kfz. 231 (6-Rad) was used by the Wehrmacht in the early period of World War II. These vehicles were part of reconnaissance battalions, but due to weak armor and terrain limitations (lack of all-wheel drive), many of them were destroyed. Over time, they were replaced by more advanced designs, such as eight-wheeled Achtrad vehicles.

Assembly and painting kit. Does not include paints or glue. To assemble, separately sold modeling tools are needed (including cutters, files, tweezers), paints, brushes, and plastic model glue (e.g., Tamiya Extra Thin Cement). The photo shows a professionally assembled and painted model.