A Smart Kit from Anno Dazumal: Pz.Kpfw.II, 2in1

Mikeym_us wrote:

How much do you pay for Big Mac's in Germany anyways? LOL

JohanT wrote:

Hi again, I was out Christmas shopping when I landed up in the toys section of the local super market and there it was, Tamiya # 35009, Pz.Kpfw.II This must be the original smartkit Cleverly engineered this Multimedia kit only comprises some 90 + parts. The vinyl tracks are molded as continuous loops but are split in half allowing easy assembly around the running gear. 14 polycaps ensure that you can leave the wheels and drive sprockets off until after painting and the rest off the parts are virtually flash free molded in the usual sand colored plastic. Without Slide Molding technology the engineers have taken advantage of the fact that cone shaped parts still can be ejected from the molds. This allows the 10 road wheel arms to be molded on to the lower hull speeding up the assembly sequence significantly. The ejector pin marks are cleverly hidden on non visible surfaces. The kit can be built into either a Pz.Kpfw.II Ausf. F or G ( its a 2in1!) and markings are provided for 5 different vehicles. The 5 step instructions are error free and easy to follow with the parts being easily identified by individual numbers, a sprue breakdown is also provided. My only question mark is part 35 which I think is a switch to be used if you go for the motorized version, but this is not covered by the instruction sheet. 5 bonus figurines and a commander are included allowing for a nice Afrika Korps diorama. And all this at a bargain price, less then 2 BigMac's. The kit was originally released in 1971, I am looking forward to building this one Seasonal Greetings Johan

For a minute I thought I was reading a sales pitch,

Nice find.

JohanT wrote:

Hi again, I was out Christmas shopping when I landed up in the toys section of the local super market and there it was, Tamiya # 35009, Pz.Kpfw.II This must be the original smartkit Cleverly engineered this Multimedia kit only comprises some 90 + parts. The vinyl tracks are molded as continuous loops but are split in half allowing easy assembly around the running gear. 14 polycaps ensure that you can leave the wheels and drive sprockets off until after painting and the rest off the parts are virtually flash free molded in the usual sand colored plastic. Without Slide Molding technology the engineers have taken advantage of the fact that cone shaped parts still can be ejected from the molds. This allows the 10 road wheel arms to be molded on to the lower hull speeding up the assembly sequence significantly. The ejector pin marks are cleverly hidden on non visible surfaces. The kit can be built into either a Pz.Kpfw.II Ausf. F or G ( its a 2in1!) and markings are provided for 5 different vehicles. The 5 step instructions are error free and easy to follow with the parts being easily identified by individual numbers, a sprue breakdown is also provided. My only question mark is part 35 which I think is a switch to be used if you go for the motorized version, but this is not covered by the instruction sheet. 5 bonus figurines and a commander are included allowing for a nice Afrika Korps diorama. And all this at a bargain price, less then 2 BigMac's. The kit was originally released in 1971, I am looking forward to building this one Seasonal Greetings Johan

How much do you pay for Big Mac's in Germany anyways? LOL

JohanT wrote:

The MG by the way, in dragons offering you get their new Gen3 version, according to the instructions you are supposed to leave all the bumps and sights on the cooling jacket, is this correct? Looking forward for your advice Johan

There is a GEN3 ?

I thought it was GEN2 ?

And if your putting your Panzer II magic tracks on the Tamiya Panzer II then what are you putting on the Dragon kit?

Thx guys,
I agree that this is very good value for money indeed!
I built the kit for the first time in 1974, was 14 at the time, and I actually think I enjoyed this one more...

And I do think it is a smart kit, you are actually down to painting in less then 2 hours.

The paint will come on next weekend and from that point onwards this is a very serioues project
I am gooing to replace the MG barrel with something from the spares box but leave the canon as is.
I am probably going to use tracks from one of the Dragon offerings since my Vinyl ones are a tack short.

VBR
Johan

Johan, I'm close to finishing one of these kits and your posts really brings a smile to my face!  I love your description of it being a 2 in 1 smart kit!!.  Its amazing that a kit that came out close to 40 yrs ago is still bringing satisfaction to modelers around the world.  It may not be a true "Smart Kit" but for the cost and simple modeling pleasure it brings its one of those that can't be beat! 

The painting instructions are provided on a separat sheet which also covers the application of decals. Extensive markings are provided for 5 different vehicles.

An innovative painting techique, the "cotton dab", is introduced giving detailed instructions on the application of the 2 tone "Panzer Grey - Dunkelgelb" scheme.

JohanT wrote:

Thx guys, As you all will appreciate this thread is not to be taken to seriously  What I am trying to do is to sell a 37 year old kit using the same sort of vocabulary and arguments that are being used to market today's kits. Your correction on the "Slide Mold" technology was therefore somewhat expected Roy, thanks anyway Very Best Regards Johan

Oh BTW the Ausf.F had the KWK30 20mm cannon while the Ausf.G had the KWK38 20mm cannon.

Nice build Johan.  One correction however.  The kit DID use "slide mold" technology.  Look at the hull tub.  It was done using molds from several axes -- slide molding.

Day 2:

This picture shows the one piece lower hull with moulded on wheel arms and spring arrangements. The upper hull is actually hollowed out in non visible areas in order to keep plastic consumption low, another ground breaking approach in the days before global warming.

The Turret went together with only a minimum amount off filler required.

Front view of the kit before painting. I am going to leave the Pioneer tools, except the axe, off until after painting. The axe is moulded onto the fender providing acceptable detail with a minimum effort.

To be continued.

That's pretty cool.  I ALMOST picked up another Tamiya Walker bulldog tank.  Shop had it for 15 bucks.  Might go back and pick it up.

Regarding the Camera Flash, it's a common issue.  With high end camera's you can pay like 60+ bucks for a flash diffusor.  There is a low tech solution, that is an old photographers trick.  I take a couple of layers of thin tissue, and use clear tape to tape it over the flash.  Contrary to popular belief, you don't really lose any light fill, but you eliminate the glare, except on REALLY high gloss surfaces with up close shots.  I will try and use the webcam on my laptop later to take a picture of how I have it on my digital cam.

P.S.  I'm also a photographer.

pretty cool!

I built that but the wash wash messed up. Black panzer 2 anyone?

and cheaper than 2 big fats, we applaud you!

The parts breakdown, a futuristic example in simplicity (exuse the camera flash):

 The Dragon upper hull for comparsion:

The ejector pin marks are cleverly hidden:

To be continued.

Very Best Regards

Johan