Panzer II

 This is the Tamiya 1:35 Panzer II that I picked up at the Yeovil Model show a couple of weekends ago from Crewkerne Models. 

I’m going to finish it with these Vallejo Afrika Korps colours that I’ve had in my stash since buying 3DGizmo resin figures at least 12 months ago for a Tiger I kit that’s still waiting to be built.

The dropper bottles in these themed sets from Vallejo are diddy little things, so it’s fortunate that the Panzer II is equally diddy! 

I don’t like to gripe but I’m going to. None of my 3D Gizmo  Afrika Korps resin figures fit my Tamiya Panzer II. The Commander’s aperture is no smaller than a Panzer IV or Tiger’s, why would it be when it is the right size for a 1:35 scale tank commander! Now I’ve loved 3D Gizmo for some years but, really, for £28+ I would have expected them to have done a little bit more homework here. 

The only fix I can see is to amputate the resin figures legs and do a bit of hip sanding … though I may just now go with the Tamiya figure and put it down to my long list of scale modelling experiences. I am starting to more frequently find these aftermarket bits and bobs a waste of money … perhaps it’s just because I’m beginning to be a bit of an old hand at this scale modelling lark! 

Using the Vallejo WW2 Afrika Korps AFV Camoflage set to paint my Tamiya Panzer II. 

Don’t know if it’s just the smaller bottles, they are diddy, but although badged their Air range, it was a little thicker and less easily spayed. 

Tamiya’s 1:35 scale Panzer II completed in the markings of R06, of the 15th Panzer Division, Afrika Korps. 

Used for reconnaissance rather than in an offensive role the full sized one was captured by the US Army on the surrender of the Axis forces in North Africa in 1943. 

I finished the kit with Vallejo’s Afrika Korps themed acrylic paints and weathered it with oils.