The original 234/1 8x8 reconnaissance vehicle was based on the same hull as the famous Sd.Kfz.234/2 Puma armored car, and 200 vehicles were produced between June 1944 and January 1945. Its main armament was a 2cm KwK38 L/55 and an MG42 machine gun mounted in a hexagonal turret, weapons that were designed to effectively counter Allied air attacks.