Puma on the Prowl: Sd.Kfz 234/2 Puma Dragon Model

[@orangelion03]

This is an outstanding kit. One of my favorite Dragon builds. Mine sits on the shelf, still in the base dark yellow I applied to it in 2013. One of these days I'll finish it...

[@afv-studio]

I enjoyed building it and it looks great in the display cabinet. I think the kit still has something to offer 10 years on.

[@KGmodels]

That kit looks Like it was a lot of fun to build.Dragon always put a ton of parts,and there is always that one mistake that goes through the whole instruction which you have to deal with,happened with a Dragon Panzer iii where both sides where mixed up.Thanks for sharing mate!

[@afv-studio]

Thanks KG, It was fun, I seem to like these specialised vehicles. Give me something like this or a converted 38t chassis over a Tiger any day 😆

[@ChristianSchroter-ok4sk]

Hello mr.afv. awesome build of that ww2icon. I was well Entertained.i thanks 4your efforts. I truly appreciate them.thank u4sharing.of course you deserve a thumb up.and I givehim to you.keep enjoying and keep the faith.with sticky greetings from sandy Brandenburg germany.faithfully yours.your modellmate.christian

[@afv-studio]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@steveankin2682]

Excellent !!

[@afv-studio]

Thanks Steve

[@AdamWeber-pi1gs]

Achievement unlocked: successfully navigating the minefield instructions.😁 Very good build, Sir.

[@afv-studio]

🤣 Very good. Thanks for the comment.

[@ItsRainyInFrance]

Exelent work!

[@afv-studio]

Thanks

[@michaeldean1289]

Great work mate. I started to build the same kit years ago but never got around to finishing it off due to work, but I loved it. Now I’m retired it’s just another project I have to get around to finishing it off. It’s going to be interesting to see how Miniart and RFM’s new Sd.Kfz.234/2 kits are in comparison to Dragon’s old 2006 kit. I would imagine that the RFM kit will run circles around the rest. Thanks for sharing another great build video! ❤😊

[@afv-studio]

Thanks Mike, Yes 20 years on and I'm sure RFM will give Dragon a run for the money. Dragon have in fairness done a few upgrades on this kit over the years. The inclusion of The brass smoke dischargers and width indicators and the steel hydraulic brake lines are a nice touch. But I'm sure RFM will probably win on the mouldings. Thanks for watching, Always appreciate your comments 🫡

[@NothingNowhere-vu5oq]

I'm excited about the upcoming RFM release. Looking forward to reviews/builds.

[@afv-studio]

I would like to see it too 👍

[@jimaltergott9326]

Nice work sir. I messed up my suspension, broke the connecting arm for the front wheels and made other crucial errors that forced me to glue evrything in place. And I see you got the brake lines installed. I couldn't for the life of me figure out how they fit! I wish I'd seen this video before building mine. My compliments sir!

[@afv-studio]

Thank you Jim. I feel your pain 😓 I also struggled with the brake lines... Why oh why do them in steel? They don't quite fit and are a pain to bend and cut to the correct size. My apology with not showing the installation. In truth I could not deal with the filming while messing around with these, so no footage . The Right and Left mix-up throughout the instructions doesn't help with the build either. Caution for any building Dragon.....Make sure your happy before applying glue. Thanks for the compliment 👍

[@jimaltergott9326]

@@afv-studio Thanks for your reply. Dragon definitely didn't help with the vague drawings regarding the brake line installation. MiniArt is releasing a Puma this year, I may just buy that kit!

[@afv-studio]

Someone commented that RFM has1 too. Worth looking into.@@jimaltergott9326

[@jimaltergott9326]

@@afv-studio Thanks, I will look for that

[@TheSaturnV]

We are under a PUMA attack. Rye Field has announced a new one, then Mini Art with full interior and engine and now Dragon is re-releasing theirs with some new goodies I believe.

[@afv-studio]

This is the November 2023 upgrade. The new wheels were added. Have a feeling this was there answer to the RFM and Mini Art announcement. I Also picked up the Sd.Kfz. 234/4 Panzerspähwagen which is still waiting to ship to me.

[@colinkavanagh7625]

Looks a tough build but looks amazing finished 👏

[@afv-studio]

Thanks Colin. will look great once painted, hope you check it out when published 👍

[@petersonsilva3751]

Great work! Congratulations!

[@afv-studio]

Thanks Peterson 👍

[@scottmccloud9029]

Awesome work. Looks great!

[@afv-studio]

Thanks Scott 👍

[@brockbeckstedt6483]

I love the background 1970s funk progressive instrumental jams I'm down with it playing while you build this well rendered Chinese production model Puma armored recon vehicle, I'm digging both 😂 groovy man😝🤪

[@afv-studio]

Thanks Brock. Its nice to know that all those extra hours I put into production, choosing suitable music and editing, are not wasted. I also felt it a good fit for the build. There will defiantly be more of those funky grooves in future. 🕺🕺 🤣

[@jimaltergott9326]

I saw Andy's HHQ review of the RFM Puma. Not bad, an alternative to the full interior upcoming MiniArt kit. My order from Cyber-Hobby is on the way. Gave into impulse and ordered the Dragon Afika Tiger I & the British Sexton.

[@afv-studio]

I watched that as well Jim. Did you not go for that great looking USMC Sherman in the end?

[@jimaltergott9326]

@@afv-studio I did. But could only find the Tarawa 1943 version that Martin Kovac recently built

[@jimaltergott9326]

One question if I may. From the time you got your confirmation of shipment email, how long did it take to receive your order from Cyber Hobby?

[@afv-studio]

@@jimaltergott9326 The ''Free shipment'' is very slow. To get here in UK it takes 2 months at least. You can log on and track the shipment so at least you know its on its way Once it leaves china it will go quite until it arrives in your country

[@jimaltergott9326]

@@afv-studio Ok, thanks. My order shipped this week, been following it via tracking number. My hunch is customs will take the longest to get through.

[@goforitpainting]

Cool model.

[@afv-studio]

Thanks 👍

[@ФранцТрнчић]

Awesome

[@afv-studio]

Thanks 👍

[@KiriG68]

Great built! What glue do you use to attach the photo etched parts to the plastic or between them?

[@afv-studio]

Hi Kiri. Thanks and a good question... For any metal you should use CA/Superglue. There are a few different CA glues and all have their uses... 1. Standard CA/Superglue flows like water and dries fast on contact (like 2 seconds fast) This can be messy but is suitable sometimes. 2. Flexy 5K CA glue from VMS is a thicker Superglue that is black in colour. It's much more controllable and can take a minute or 2 to set on contact depending on how much you apply. (this would be my recommendation for most things) 3. CA/Superglue Gel is really thick and will dry in like 5-10 seconds on contact . I used this when attaching the stowage rack to the Puma hull so i wouldn't need to hold it in place for too long. Also worthwhile is a CA glue remover (VMS do one) it will allow you to clean up any glue that squeezes out around the edges. Use an old paintbrush and use as soon as possible for easy removal of excess glue. The part should stay in place as soon as it holds and the remover shouldn't make it fall off. If you watch my Panther Build Video you can see it all in action.

[@KiriG68]

​@@afv-studio​Thank you!

[@andreasb1977]

Where did you get the figures from, was there a place to buy them or are they custom?

[@afv-studio]

You can get them from Panzer Art FI35-127 Voran using the optional heads and addition of radio headset for commander.

[@williamyezca]

beau montage

[@afv-studio]

Merci beaucoup 👍👍

[@philippes9847]

En réalité cette phase de montage est particulièrement pénible

[@afv-studio]

It's not an easy kit and I have seen others struggle when it comes to the suspension and steering. Probably not helped by the instructions mixing up the left side with the right. I think preparing for the stages on the suspension helped as I had everything prep'ed and ready to go for filming. So I had time to tweak the steering for the hard right turn before everything set.

[@ItsRainyInFrance]

What sort of glue you used for the metal pieces?

[@afv-studio]

C.A/Superglue VMS make a black C.A. glue that is 'slow action' so you have time to move a piece before it sets.

[@ItsRainyInFrance]

Ok, thank you!

[@ItsRainyInFrance]

Another question, (sorry it's late) where did you buy the extra parts like the metal gun, the muzzle, or the tablecloth/blanket, things like this? I have inquired about this model and I am still looking.

[@afv-studio]

@@ItsRainyInFrance Everything shown at the start of the video 'Whats in the box' is in the box as part of the kit. The only extras were the added stowage from Value Gear and the home made camo net. Right now I see 2 stores in UK the have the kit. Try searching: Dragon sdkfz 234/2 puma and Im sure you will find it.

[@ItsRainyInFrance]

​@@afv-studio oh ok, I wasn't sure, thank you

[@rickmoreno6858]

Just joined your patreon for 3.

[@afv-studio]

Fantastic Rick 🤗 much appreciated. Your 3 will go into the supplies pot. As a supporting member you will get a credit on future video's But as I have just edited and uploaded the Marder video I hope you don't mind waiting for the following video to see your name included 😊

[@rickmoreno6858]

@afv-studio no way man that is bs, making me wait for my nane on next video wtf? Lol no it's cool my man! I'm enjoying your work! Keep it up. Can you maybe speak in your videos and or show your face, cause it's always refreshing seeing and hearing who's building in the videos!

[@afv-studio]

@@rickmoreno6858 I have thought about it quite a bit. I'll message you on Patreon and get your thoughts if thats OK? I do have a few ideas that would put a face and voice to the person behind AFV Studio. some feedback on my Ideas might be useful

[@rickmoreno6858]

@@afv-studio sure message away