Just wondering if anybody has done a comparison thank you
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Own both, have looked them over and my first impression both are excellent kits.
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The ~$71 Dragon kit is a cut above the typical Dragon kit of the same era with surprisingly good quality instructions. Dragon has an excellent tire design. Level of detail looks excellent overall but I don’t have reference materials on the 234/2. Test fitted a few parts and all was good.
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I like the ~$53 RFM kit for all the reasons listed above too except for the wheels. I absolutely detest the rubber/vinyl tires in the kit. On the plus side it has an engine as a consolidation prize. The RFM optional aftermarket tires are better suited to my style of model building but an extra cost.
I’m happy with either kit. I very slightly prefer RFM with RFM optional wheels over Dragon kit based on price.
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How about Miniarts new Sd Kfz 234
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Some of what’s best model kit is very subjective based on what you like and want from a model kit.
I greatly dislike everything about Mini-Art kit design philosophy. I don’t own a copy of the MiniArt 234/2 Puma. I have zero value for the kit interior etc. For what I value both the RFM and Dragon are far superior choices. However, as much as I dislike Mini-Art, I would build a Mini-Art Puma before wasting time and money on Italeri’s decrepit old Puma kit from 1980.
Many other folks like Mini-Art’s products and like interiors. We all have our preferences.
HTH
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You forgot the Old Italeri Kit, For Those who don’t mind the Extra Work.
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I mentioned the 1980 era Italeri Puma kit above. All of the three newer kits are light years beyond it out of the box.
It’s possible to make a nice build out of an Italeri Puma of course if one wants to sink the effort into it, provided Italeri doesn’t screw one over with short shots and poor mold quality.
My old copy of Italeri old Puma had incredibly terrible quantity control, massive sink marks and short shots, absolutely garbage. A relic of Italeri wildy inconsistent quality control from back in the day.
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Well, For A Standalone, The Newer Kits are Best; For A Diorama,where You don’t want one Model to steal the Whole Show, The Italeri kits would fit.
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That’s definitely a good point.
Years ago, who would ever have thought we’d have five 234/2 Puma to choose from? MiniArt w/Interior, MiniArt w/o Interior, Italeri, Dragon & RFM.
It’s wonderful to have so many choices.
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Agreed, If It’s something We really want to Build; A lot of Obscure Subjects often get ignored,Though.
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Absolutely all aspects considered, if you want a “buy it, build it, be happy with it” kit of this vehicle, it is the RFM with optional RFM wheel set, no question, full stop.
Here is where I could go into an in depth 5 paragraphs of the reasons why, but I think we all know the reasons why. The RFM kit has excellent molding, engineering, BUILDABILITY, detailing and parts layout. You are going to enjoy building it and get a superior result. That’s what you want, right? Trust me, buy the RFM kit.
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Thank you SSGTom I like your straightforward answer 100%.
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So which 234 did you decide on?
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Not built the RFM kit, but based on what I’ve heard about RFM, I’d go with it as opposed to Dragon. I’ve built the latest release from Dragom, and it was good, with decent instructions, but the suspension was a problem. Not sure how cpmplex it is compared to RFM. Either way I think you’ll get a good kit, but RFM might be a bit easier to build.
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ScaleMates has instruction sheets for most models, making it possible to assess what features are present and compare how similar kits build up. Such a comparison will not provide information about fit, but may help identify accuracy issues, excessive complication, and simplification.
Given the release of so many Sd.Kfz. 234 models in such a short amount of time, a patient collector with some flexibility may also benefit from future sales.
As an aside, I find it very interesting that Dragon, Italeri, and Rye Field Pumas on eBay USA go for about the same price.
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Italeri is just riding the wave on unsuspecting buyers. Their 234 is antique junk.
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Italeri 234 is just as you say overpriced antique JUNK
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I suspect some of those Italeri buyers are old guys with some money, perhaps getting back into the hobby, chasing a modicum of nostalgia. The Dragon, MiniArt, and Rye Field offerings may also be too much model for some individuals. On Amazon, 35 of 41 reviews for the current Italeri Puma boxing are 4 or 5 stars. HobbyLink only has 3 votes but they are all 5 star.
I strongly disagree that the Italeri Puma necessarily a piece junk. If a singular kit is free of sink marks and short shots, it is a good starter model, just like most of the old offerings constantly released by Tamiya.
The latest Italeri Puma boxing includes soft plastic tires and a sheet of etched brass parts. That explains some of the price increase. The people at Italeri seem to be updating a fair number of their old models. In this case, the italeri Puma is still not close enough to the Dragon, MiniArt, or Rye Field offerings to justify such a high price.
I wonder if all those people really are unaware of the other options.
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Good point for sure.
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If anyone is in the market for a Mini-Art Puma Spruebrothers.com has the Lightening Deal today!
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Yeah. Saw that early this morning. Want it but already have a Dragon Puma, washed and ready to build.
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