Ihave fond memories of the Panzer II as a modelling subject. The early Tamiya release of the 1:35 scale kit in the desert scheme with the box art showing the DAK soldiers running with it was one of my earliest modelling memories. I’m sure most of you would be familiar with the kit, and probably likely to have built it at some stage.
I still get a great deal of joy looking at the build from all those years ago however it made me realise that I hadn’t built another Panzer II after that model. Given it was one of my favourite modelling memories as well as favourite panzers, it seemed long overdue for me to revisit the Early War tank and try out some of my modelling skills 25 years after my first attempt.
After checking the stash, I found I had the 1:48 boxing of the Panzer II. ‘Even Better!’ I thought. I had the subject I wanted and a kit that would be a breeze to assemble. The quicker I can get the build done the quicker I can get the paint down… and everybody knows the painting is the fun part right?
BACKGROUND
But before I go too much further into the build, I always like to dig up a little history about the vehicle to get me in the zone.
The need for the Panzer II was first mooted in 1934 when production delays with the Panzer III and IVs came to light and the need to quickly replace the aging Panzer I was apparent. The specification for the new tank was it was to be 10 tonnes with a 20mm Autocannon. Initial prototypes were delivered in late 1935 and production was approved soon after.
The design would see the marriage of the Daimler-Benz hull and the MAN designed chassis and the turret held the Rheinmetall KwK30 L55 20 mm quick firing gun. The weapon had a high rate of fire and had very good armour piercing capabilities. It’s high velocity gun and rate of fire made the tank very effective, especially at short range against most light and medium tanks of the time.