Cyber-hobby 1/35 Pz.Kfw.II ausf C with mine roller
| KIT #: | 6752 |
| PRICE: | $69.00 SRP |
| DECALS: | One Option |
| REVIEWER: | Scott Van Aken |
| NOTES: | Includes photo etch fret |
The Panzer II, developed by Germany in the 1930s, was an improvement over the Panzer I, but it was still seen only as a stopgap measure in Germany’s goal of creating a powerful tank force. The Panzer II was widely used in early campaigns of WWII such as the invasion of Poland, the Low Countries and France, but by 1943 it had ceased production and the Panzer II chassis was being converted to other uses. At a maximum of only 16mm thick, the steel armor on early tanks proved inadequate. The main armament of most Panzer II variants was the 2cm Kw.K30 L/55 cannon and a coaxial MG34, although the main gun was mostly ineffective in the antitank role. A crew of three (commander, loader/radio operator and driver) operated the Panzer II. A 140hp six-cylinder Maybach HL 62 TRM engine powered the small tank to a maximum speed of 40km/h. The first series-production model was the Ausf.A, which appeared in July 1937. Sporting only superficial changes, the Ausf.B superseded it in December of the same year.
Few minor changes were made in the Ausf. C version, which became the standard production model from June 1938 through April 1940. A total of 1,113 examples of Ausf. c, A, B, and C tanks were built from March 1937 through April 1940 by Alkett, FAMO, Daimler-Benz, Henschel, MAN, MIAG, and Wegmann. These models were almost identical and were used in service interchangeably. This was the most widespread tank version of the Panzer II and performed the majority of the tank's service in the Panzer units during the war. Earlier versions of Ausf. C have rounded hull front, but many vehicles of Ausf. C were up-armored to fight in France. These have extra armor bolted on the turret front and super structure front. Also up-armored versions have angled front hull like that of Ausf.F. Some were also retro-fitted with commander's cupolas.
Trust our friends from Cyber-hobby to come up with an interesting variation on a well-known theme. This time it is a mine-roller tank as used during the North African campaign. It is your basic Panzer II ausf B and may have the upgraded armor and the addition of the mine roller assembly. This resulted in not only a new sprue but also a new sheet of photo etch that are solely dedicated to the roller and its mount. As you can see from the image below, most of the mine roller frame is photo etch.
Just to recap a bit on the tank itself, it is not just a curbside, but does come with a full engine and interior, much of which will be hidden unless you have all the various hatches opened. As a Smart Kit, it comes with individual track links and these along with the photo etch help to make up the 600 piece parts count.
Newly produced mine roller w/photo-etched parts
Mine roller produced from separate parts
Delicately designed rollers
Up-armored Pz.Kpfw.II Ausf. C turret
Authentic details on turret bottom
2cm Kw.K 30 gun w/correct detail
Slide-molded gun barrel w/hollow muzzle end
Fully detailed up-armored upper hull for Pz.Kpfw.II Ausf.C w/fenders and engine deck
Detailed suspension system Seatbacks accurately recreated
ZF-4 scope w/well-defined detail
Driver's hatch can be assembled open or closed
Fully detailed cupola w/periscopes
Driver's visor can be assembled open/closed
Large storage box can be assembled open/closed
Fenders w/detailed tread pattern
Accurate details on hull bottom
Road wheels and return rollers beautifully rendered
Detailed idler wheels
Detailed drive sprockets
Photo-etched exhaust shield in exquisite detail
Gen2 MG34 w/gun cradle
Photo-etched jack brackets
Jack has accurate details
Magic Tracks have great detail
Fuel tank reproduced w/firewall assembly
Air filter w/delicate detail
Side engine compartment ventilation grill exquisitely detailed
Detailed injection-molded on-vehicle tools w/brackets
Additional set of on-vehicle tools without brackets
Instructions are well done with 24 nicely drawn, and rather crowded construction steps. Only the last two are involved with the mine roller, so those wanting a regular Panzer II ausf B can stop after step 22. Markings are for a single desert tan Panzer II from an unidentified unit in 1942.
So here you have the ability to build an important piece of engineering equipment, one that was especially useful in the desert where there were hundreds of thousands if not millions of mines sown by both sides during the war. The result of your efforts will be a superb model of this interesting vehicle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzer_IIJune 2012
Thanks to www.dragonmodelsusa.com for the preview kit. Get yours today at your local shop or have them order it for you. If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please contactme or see other details in the Note toContributors.
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Trust our friends from Cyber-hobby to come up with an interesting variation on a well-known theme. This time it is a mine-roller tank as used during the North African campaign. It is your basic Panzer II ausf B and may have the upgraded armor and the addition of the mine roller assembly. This resulted in not only a new sprue but also a new sheet of photo etch that are solely dedicated to the roller and its mount. As you can see from the image below, most of the mine roller frame is photo etch.