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Forums - Modelling / Kits |
The kits forum is for the discussion of model kits. Typically questions on availability or certain subjects and quality of existing kits are posted here. Short reviews are good here too. |
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| Subject: | Re: Panzer II kits |  |
| Date: | Jun 23, 2007 |
| From: | Michael Bedard | |
Ed,
There are several Panzer II kits in 1/35th scale.
Tamiya - PzKpfw II Ausf. F, a kit from the early 1970s and meant to be motorized. Very simple to build but the detail is old. Major weak points are the suspension and tracks. Takes a lot of work to bring up to current standards. They have the Marder II version on this chassis that is slightly better in detail.
Wespe - This is an entirely new mold. An excellent kit all around.
Alan - PzKpfw II Ausf. C - Eastern Europe technology but better than the older Tamiya offer. Some fit problems but suspension better than Tamiya. Individual track shoes that aren't half bad.
Wespe - Based on their Ausf. C kit it is basically the same kit as the suspension. Not bad but not as good as the Tamiya Wespe.
PzKpfw II Ausf. D - Pretty much the same quality as their Ausf. C kit. I haven't built it so can't comment on fit. This is the series with the large road wheels with what I believe is a Christie type coil suspension. They also make the flame version and Marder on this chassis.
ICM - PzKpfw II Ausf. D - Overall the detail is better than the Alan kits especially the road wheels. I'm not sure about the availability at this time. As with Alan there are other versions on the same chassis (large road wheels) as the flame tank and not sure about the Marder.
PzKpfw Ausf. L 'Luchs' - Not a bad kit but the road wheels lack some of the subtle shapes. I had the kit at one time but traded it away and never built it. I should have kept it because the angles and dimensions are better than the Techmod kit I kept.
Techmod - PzKpfw II Ausf. L 'Luchs' - Road wheels aren't too bad and there are individual tracks. Many angle problems and dimension problems. Fit is poor. It does offer both small and large hatch (back of turret) versions that no other kit offers. Aber kit is designed for this kit that will help a lot. Will take a lot of work to bring it up to a decent standard.
Tasca - PzKpfw II Ausf. L 'Luchs' - Out of the box it is probably one of the best kits around. It is rather pricey and at times difficult to obtain but most modellers believe it is one of the best armor kits around. Tasca offers both an early and late version. I personally think for the price Tasca should offer individual track links for this kit.
DML - Marder II Ausf. F - Not actually a Panzer II but the vehicle is based on the PzKpfw II Ausf. F. A far more modern version as far as detail than the older Tamiya offering. Detail is very good but I can't comment on fit since I haven't built it yet.
There are also some resin kits by Accurate Armour, Cromwell Models and Sovereign. I remember seeing them advertised over the years but can't remember exactly what versions were available. I don't have nor have seen up close what these resin kits are like. Check out their web sites to see what is available.
Hope that helps.
Mike Bedard |
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