First vBench : Pz II Ausf B "RA"

[gibsonfndr]

Hi guys.
My first post on this vBench. I am quite happy to be here along with such a bunch of great modellers.
Anyway here's my latest project.
A Panzer II Ausf B from D.A.K., in fact the regiment doctor's tank with the code "RA".Here it is :
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-1.jpg
It is a tank from the 5° Leichte Panzer Division, seen during the first weeks of the war in Lybia. In fact it was lost on April 14, 1941 and captured by the Brits.
I first bought the Dragon kit and then I saw my "RA" was in fact an Ausf B so I needed to buy the Tamiya kit, not only because of the smoke grenade launcher that was missing in the Dragon kit, but alos because I needed the optionnal vision blocks armour, typical of an Ausf B, that were in the Tamiya box.
According to T Jentz this is the only visible difference betwenn an Ausf B and an Ausf C. We've got to trust him, don't we ?

Beeing from the Panzer Regiment 5, formerly of the 3rd Panzer Division, this babe has a few typical features that needed to be reproduced.
As a matter of fact, every Pz II from Pz Rgt 5 was modified with an extra armour plate on the gun mantlet. Please note that only tanks from this Regiment were modified this way, in no case the Pz II from the pz Rgt 8 (15° Pz Div) were modified this way.
It also had the smoke grenade launcher on the rear that some of you may have heard of.
It was also painted dunkelgrau when it arrived in Tripoli and then only hastily painted with thin patches of Gelbbraun and this is what's exciting me. Not sure I'll be able to reproduce that I must say.

Here are the first pics of the model. It is already an Ausf B as you can see from the grey Tamiya vision blocks armour. The Ausf C also has four bolts around its vision blocks that need to be sanded. I still have to work on the added armor as it doesn't really look as it should, beeing a single piece of metal on the real tanks and it lacks the drilled hole for the gunsight.

All comments and advice most welcome.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-1-1.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-2.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-3.jpg

[Driver]

Nice start my friend!

Although I don't understand why to take the ports from the Tamiya one; wouldn't it be better to build the Tamiya as the one of the photo? Or the difference is too much between the models?

Ruben

[gibsonfndr]

Nice start my friend!

Although I don't understand why to take the ports from the Tamiya one; wouldn't it be better to build the Tamiya as the one of the photo? Or the difference is too much between the models?

Rubenwell, the Tamiya kit is not "tropicalised" and only good for the French campaign, plus the turret is of an earlyier model ... but even after one used these parts one still can built a decent Ausf C with Tamiya San's kit so nothing is lost.

[RickLawler]

There is something very wrong here! Gibson \ Fender? You must choose, my friend!

Very interesting PzII you have chosen to build - this will be fun to follow.

Take care,

Rick
Gibson Explorer ('71)
Gibson Les Paul (80's)

:)

[Markus]

Cool, will have an eye on this one!
Great choice to depict a Doctor´s ride :thumb:!

[Moon Puppy]

The doctor rode in a tank? No wonder you guys like to model the gernam stuff so much, far more interesting subjects to work with.

[Flak]

Nice start... and take care on the DML's Fenders mistake :)

[James Tainton]

Excellent start to your postings here at planetArmor- good to have someone with such a passion on board. I like this subject as you know, since I am doing a couple of DAK Panzer II's myself.
Look forward to the build and paint/weathering.
BTW I have posted a question for you in the research section about another potential DAK vehicle- this one a Panzer IA. Click on the pic below V
http://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/planetArmor/Panzer%20IA%20No.833/833PanzerIAbw2.jpg (http://www.planetarmor.com/forums/showthread.php?p=70962#post70962)

Nice start... and take care on the DML's Fenders mistake :)

if you mean the lack of a gap on the back left side between the fender and the hull- this is really a minor niggle- hard to see once the stowage is in place. If you use the Voyager fenders also this is cleared up nicely.

Oh and I guess we should change the name of the site to planet Panzer II?

[greybeard]

Originally Posted by Flak
Nice start... and take care on the DML's Fenders mistake :)

if you mean the lack of a gap on the back left side between the fender and the hull- this is really a minor niggle- hard to see once the stowage is in place. If you use the Voyager fenders also this is cleared up nicely.

No, the right-hand rear fender (starboard) should not have treadplate.

Cheers
Scott Fraser

[James Tainton]

No, the right-hand rear fender (starboard) should not have treadplate.

Cheers
Scott Fraser

Oh yeah right,;)
It still is pretty minor as I found most of the storage boxes covered that area anyways. It is a pretty easy fix in any case.

[gibsonfndr]

There is something very wrong here! Gibson \ Fender? You must choose, my friend!

Very interesting PzII you have chosen to build - this will be fun to follow.

Take care,

Rick
Gibson Explorer ('71)
Gibson Les Paul (80's)

:)Story of my life ... when I play my Fenders I want my Gibsons and vice-versa so I end up ... playing Rickenbackers !
lol
want pics of them babes ?


No, the right-hand rear fender (starboard) should not have treadplate.

Cheers
Scott FraserNot sure what you're talking about, Scott. The starboard fender on this kit looks alright to me as it is without treadplate on the rear half, only it's covered by stowage boxes so you don't notice it. I take it the other older kits are wrong but not this one or have I missed something ?

[James Tainton]

The starboard fender on this kit looks alright to me as it is without treadplate
Hey, how about that they fixed it.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-1-1.jpg

[Fledermaus]

good start :thumb: keep it going:rolleyes::D

[gibsonfndr]

Hey, how about that they fixed it.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIR
A-1-1.jpgmy oh my !
Every once in a while something happens that reminds me of one importnt act : english is not my first and usual language.
Exactly what happens here.

Sorry but I do not know what you guys are talking about.
I thought you were talking of the right fender, when one looks forward, that is supposed to have the treadplate missing on 2/3 of its lengh ...
This was a common mistake on any previous Pz II kit and it has been fixed on this kit (also on the Tamiya kit).
Apparently you're not talking about that.

James the pic you used is for me the left fender.

Is there something I should know about these fenders ?

Pleaaase ... tell me ...

[James Tainton]

my oh my !
Every once in a while something happens that reminds me of one importnt act : english is not my first and usual language.
Exactly what happens here.


I Blame Marco and Scott :p
Sorry L, I was referring to Flak's and greybeard suggestion about the faulty fender...on the Panzer II/F - which had a tread plate on the right hand fender. It is obvious you are using the new Panzer II/C and I forgot that this was a change I had already encountered on my Panzer II/C build myself. I guess I'm getting old!
Please return to the regularly scheduled program.
http://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/planetArmor/Panzer%20II/fenderPanzerII_C.jpg

[gibsonfndr]

Relief at last !
so we were talking about the same thing.
That reassures me.

;o)

[MikkoH]

Oh and I guess we should change the name of the site to planet Panzer II?

Ou Yes indeed. I'm building my Tamiyas PzII and as soon I get time I put some pics.:D

Nice start GibsonF. Looking forward to see more.:)

[NAS]

Hello Laurent,

you chose a nice subject! The doctor's ride is very interesting :thumb:
I'll definately have an eye on this thread ;)

Regards,

Notger

[gibsonfndr]

Thanks to you guys for your support.

I've been working on this lil' bugger today. The lower hull and the tracks ... just to discover there were a lot of broken / badly molded links on one side. So many in fact that I couldn't complete the right track !
I had to cheat using the idler wheel and had to use some left side links. No big deal as I doubt someone will ever notice but it's a shame. I'm lucky it only happens on one side and I had some leftovers from the other side.
If you add the worst instructions I've ever seen I am not 100% with this kit.

"faire contre mauvaise fortune bon coeur".

[trantor breton]

Hello laurent

good job !!!:thumb:

[gibsonfndr]

Hello laurent

good job !!!:thumb:
Hi Charles, nice to have you around !
:)

[Wonsug Jung]

I was referring to Flak's and greybeard suggestion about the faulty fender...on the Panzer II/F - which had a tread plate on the right hand fender. It is obvious you are using the new Panzer II/C and I forgot that this was a change I had already encountered on my Panzer II/C build myself.

http://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/planetArmor/Panzer%20II/fenderPanzerII_C.jpg

So do I have to remove treadplate from the fender in my panzer II/F like panzer II/c ? :confused:

[gibsonfndr]

So do I have to remove treadplate from the fender in my panzer II/F like panzer II/c ? :confused:I think so but I'm not sure ... if someone has the answer ?
I still have to "work" on the Pz F ... one subect at a time.
lol

[James Tainton]

So do I have to remove treadplate from the fender in my panzer II/F like panzer II/c ? :confused:

Yes on the backend of the right hand fender. It should be smooth.

[gibsonfndr]

Hi guys.
I could find some time to work on this lil' bugger, this week. here we are with step one completed.
Most of the building is finished and I sprayed the base cot of dark grey. I had some problems with my airbrush so the turret seems only half painted. No big deal as this will be covered with Dunkelgelb. I usually forget a lot of stuff so if any one notices a flaw or a mistake, please let me know.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-4.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-5.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-6.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-7.jpg

[gibsonfndr]

Here we go.
the "Steve Stuckzincas" way.
One coat of hair spray over the dunkelgrau then one coat of yellow.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-8.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-9.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-10.jpg

I already did the chipping, maybe overplayed this part but I can't take any pic at the moment. I will let you know.
Ah ... and I know what's missing : these fellows from Pz Rgt 5 had one spare wheel on the glacis. I'll have to fix his mistake.
I will work on the lower hull today and maybe put the tracks on.

[gibsonfndr]

The same one later, after some chipping and some filters ( burnt umber and burnt sienna) applied. I'm not very happy with the letters, maybe gotta work on that tomorrow ...
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-11.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-12.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-13.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-14.jpg

[Derkaiser]

Great work on the panzer II ausf C,

Don't forget to paint the fire extiguisher, since they were constantly replaced after they expired. they came in their standard red or field grey colour rather than a camo print or in your case panzer grey with dark yellow.;)

so is the Dragon or Tamiya tank a better build? i have the tamiya panzer II with Afrika korps figures on my stack, just wondering if its worth a crack or does it need a detail set?

Cheers Mat:thumb:

[gibsonfndr]

Great work on the panzer II ausf C,

Don't forget to paint the fire extiguisher, since they were constantly replaced after they expired. they came in their standard red or field grey colour rather than a camo print or in your case panzer grey with dark yellow.;)

so is the Dragon or Tamiya tank a better build? i have the tamiya panzer II with Afrika korps figures on my stack, just wondering if its worth a crack or does it need a detail set?

Cheers Mat:thumb:Thanks for the tip but so far I only know of grey, green or yellow fire extinguisher, not red (*) ... but you're right it could receive a special treatment that could add a nice touch. On the opther hand this tank was captured after only a few weeks so it sounds possible that it still has it's original extinguisher, what do you think ?

About the Tamiya kit. It is my favorite as il okks as good and accurate as the DML kit (they both have issues tho') but is much easyer to build. Most unfortunately the Tamiya can not n-be built as a DAK tank. neither the turret (early type) nor the engine deck (non "Tropen") is allright. As they say on the box it's only good for French campaign.

(*) in fact I've seen one once but it was inside a Panther, not outside ... anyway mine could be grey.

[Derkaiser]

Thanks on the info Gibsonfndr!:D

the fire extigusher red... ive seen it on finished kits( my source of reference on the matter) but never on the real thing, museums seem to remove them. but there were yellow ones grey ones ect. just leafing through my references maybe you could do it yellow and salt batter it down to match the used apperance of the Panzer II. (good article in December special issue of "Fine scale modeling" magazine on salt weathering)

so the Tamiya kit is advertised as DAK but is infact french/Polish campaign with chunky german DAK troops???:yell:

oh well,can't wait for next update:thumb:
Mat

[gibsonfndr]

Thanks on the info Gibsonfndr!:D

the fire extigusher red... ive seen it on finished kits( my source of reference on the matter) but never on the real thing, museums seem to remove them. but there were yellow ones grey ones ect. just leafing through my references maybe you could do it yellow and salt batter it down to match the used apperance of the Panzer II. (good article in December special issue of "Fine scale modeling" magazine on salt weathering)

so the Tamiya kit is advertised as DAK but is infact french/Polish campaign with chunky german DAK troops???:yell:

oh well,can't wait for next update:thumb:
Matthis red extinguisher fashion is just like the oxyde red gun barrels ... a fashion.

Now I owe you some excuses, I thought you were talking about the Tamiya kit of the Ausf ABC but I take it you talk about the F ?
Am I right ?

[James Tainton]

ive seen it on finished kits( my source of reference on the matter)
look here
http://www.network54.com/Forum/110741/thread/1227183320/Wehrmacht+fire+extinguisher+-+some+links

[gibsonfndr]

look here
http://www.network54.com/Forum/110741/thread/1227183320/Wehrmacht+fire+extinguisher+-+some+links

as most of us agree that they weren't red, some guy I know worked on the Panther G at Saumur and found one inside the tank, it was red and seemed 100 original ... but maybe it's the exception ? and it was inside ... OK, let's say it is THE exception.
lol

[James Tainton]

as most of us agree that they weren't red, some guy I know worked on the Panther G at Saumur and found one inside the tank, it was red and seemed 100 original ... but maybe it's the exception ? and it was inside ... OK, let's say it is THE exception.
lol
I've read that the ones inside Tigers and Panthers where red.:thumb:

[gibsonfndr]

Hi guys.
I've been working on the chipping a bit.
On my first try i overplayed this part, this time it seems more realistic.
What do you guys think ?
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzeriIRA-16.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-17.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-18.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-19.jpg

The letters "RA" still look like a total disaster ... :eek:

[greybeard]

Hi guys.
The letters "RA" still look like a total disaster ... :eek:

What can I do, besides agree?

The biggest problem is that the "stroke" width has to be uniform.

I paint my markings wherever possible. One of my favourite tools is something I know (en anglais) as a draughtsman's bow. It is a pen, of sorts, where there is a fixed lower blade and an upper blade that is controlled by a set-screw, and sets the width. It is meant for India Ink, but works just as well with paint. It is the tool you need!

Other useful tools ar decal scraps! Slice them thin, paint them with the colour you need, and apply as necessary. It is another technique to use to make them pretty.

HTH

Scott Fraser
Canada

[gibsonfndr]

What can I do, besides agree?

The biggest problem is that the "stroke" width has to be uniform.

I paint my markings wherever possible. One of my favourite tools is something I know (en anglais) as a draughtsman's bow. It is a pen, of sorts, where there is a fixed lower blade and an upper blade that is controlled by a set-screw, and sets the width. It is meant for India Ink, but works just as well with paint. It is the tool you need!

Other useful tools ar decal scraps! Slice them thin, paint them with the colour you need, and apply as necessary. It is another technique to use to make them pretty.

HTH

Scott Fraser
Canadaoh yes I know the tool you're talking about and I do have one.
anyway I've made up my mind and will re paint the turret, at least the sides and will give it another try. Thanks for the tip !

[Derkaiser]

Yeah mines the Ausf F,
Red extinguishers seem to be only on late war viechles of the German whermact, maybe post war production for museums? :confused:Strange subject matter which is hard to find info for

any way, I like the chipping on turret looks like real foot traffic from german studded boots.;)

thanks for link James

Mat:thumb:

[greybeard]

oh yes I know the tool you're talking about and I do have one.
anyway I've made up my mind and will re paint the turret, at least the sides and will give it another try. Thanks for the tip !

Bien! Try it out, use a ruler to guide, and see if it works better. A careful brush will fix the irregularities, et voilá!

[gibsonfndr]

Someone must've voodoo'ed me as since I started this build it's one disaster after another ...
3 weks ago the letters "RA" looked like a total disaster. I took then the paint off the turret.
I tried another way and thought i'd keep it simple by using the code "Pi" instead. Guess what ?
Even using the tool mentionned in a previous post I was most unsatisfied. So I decided to cover the mistake and think of another way of doing it.
I still have to decide whether I stick to the "Pi" choice or switch to a more standard code, using the archer transfers I received a couple of days ago.
I then thought I still could work on the paint a bit by putting the usual first wash, using a mix of "white spirit" and raw umber oil pain ... only to see that while it was drying out, the thinner ate the plastic and all the wheels but three fell down as if cut by a laser beam, two suspensions springs also decided to live their own life away from the kit.
Not to forget one idler wheel that disappeared without me noticing at first so it took me quite some time (and a lot of adrenaline) to find it as it had rolled under a cupboard.
Ah ... the wash also got the paint to peel off the tank on the glacis.
i was about to throw the whole kit in the dust bin when I hought of this ebench ... it brought back some motivation so here we go again.
The only good point is that as I was going thru my documents again, just to check whatever possible code I could use I noticed that every Pz II from Pz Rgt 5 not only had the extra armor on the gun mantlet but also a spare roadwheel on the glacis. Sometimes there's no wheel so you can see a metal bar soldered on the glacis with a round plate used to secure the wheel.

So please allow me to make a fool of myself :
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-20.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/gibsonfndr/panzer%20II/panzerIIRA-21.jpg

PS : now that the pics ar posted I can see that the old "Pi" is visible under the thin coat of yellow. I hope it'll disappear once the new code is on and the tank weathered.
Do not worry, the tracks are not fixed yet.
What's left to do is : put the main lights electric wire on and the small chains on the smoke grenade launcher and of course the cupola episcopes ...

PPS : I followed James' advice and bought some antennas from Lionmarc. Theyre great ! I also ordered the 20 mm barrel and James is right too. seen from a distance it really looks like the real thing.