Zvezda 1/100 PzKpfw II

The Panzer II was the common name for a family of German tanks used in World War II. The official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen II (abbreviated PzKpfw II). Although the vehicle had originally been designed as a stopgap while more advanced tanks were developed, it nonetheless went on to play an important role in the early years of World War II, during the Polish and French campaigns. By the end of 1942 it had been largely removed from front line service, and production of the tank itself ceased by 1943. Its chassis remained in use as the basis of several other armored vehicles.

Though the box doesn't state it, from the looks of things, this is the ausf C version. The F was a recce tank and the D that followed the C had only four road wheels.

This is another of Zvezda's war gaming kits and is in 1/100 scale. This seems to be the default scale for Zvezda for armor in order that the tanks won't be too huge on the game board. Anyway, there is one very glossy sprue of plastic and a movement card included in the square box. The packaging shows that these kits are designed to hang from a display rack in stores.

There are six parts on the sprue with the hull being a single piece. Each side's road wheels and tracks and return rollers are a single piece as well. These attach to the hull sides. The upper hull is a single piece that has room for the turret. The turret and guns are one piece. There is also a marker flag that is included. This fits into a hole in the bottom of the hull.

Instructions are a very simple exploded 3D drawing. No painting information is supplied and no decals are included. I'd like to have seen at least hull numbers and crosses in with the kit. Perhaps an aftermarket company will help out in this regard as the tank will look a bit barren without them.

This kit is part of a number specially done for Zvezda's 'Art of Tactic' game system. It should make into a very nice and quickly built model in its own right and is really perfect for new modelers thanks to its snap construction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzer_II 

March 2011 

Thanks  towww.dragonmodelsusa.com for the preview kit. Get yours at your local retailer.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.

Back to the Main Page

Back to the Previews Index Page