Tamiya Panzer II Ausf B - COMPLETE! (19.09.12)

Hi guys,

I have to hand it to Bill, he's got on helluva site there! His site has been a MASSIVE help to me as he's built a lot of the builds I have and he always covers the stuff I have problems with! For example I was thinking about Friuls for my build but I think the kit link and lengths will be fine so I'll have a crack at assembling them on the build then removing them in one piece for painting. As Bill also mentioned the poly-cap fixed drives and idlers will permit easy removal and re-fitting.

I've got the basic assembly well underway as you'll see. I'd rather not use Friuls on this build so next weekend I'll try and get the link & lengths assembled and then once they have set I'll remove them for painting off the vehicle and for fitting later on.

Some filler will be needed on these little gaps between the plates prior to painting: 

Off to a good start. A lovely kit!

If anyone can make a suggestion for the best shade of brown for this cammo scheme (in either Tamiya or Vallejo) then that would be great!

Cheers guys and have a good week!

Ben

Bill , i didnt realize you had your own site ...............looks great ! I'll start visiting it also . The Pz. II looks sharp . Weathering works real well on it . Thats cool having it in the magazine also !

Ben,

The Dark Brown was applied over the Panzer Gray in a 1/3 disruptive pattern and there wasn't a set pattern as some vehicles were painted at the depots as they were produced when the scheme was in effect and others, like the Pz II, that had already been produced received the scheme in the field or when sent in for uparmoring or repairs. I've got the Polish Campaign Pz II kit from Tamiya on my site as a build log and you can see an example there of how I did the scheme for reference if it helps. www.bpmodels.net/.../viewtopic.php

Hi folks,

Bish - check out the new site:

http://www.armour-models.co.uk/

Regards the paint scheme it was a thought that crossed my mind yesterday - early war Panzers in France? Grey and Brown was the common scheme and I made a mental note to make further enquiry when the time to prepare paint came closer.

I understand that the scheme is about 1/3rds Chocolate Brown and 2/3rds Panzer Grey. From what I've seen the Brown is quite faint and pokes through the Grey like a strong pre-shade?

I'm going to paint my Pz II like this as it's a scheme I haven't tried yet and would look right at home amongst my other early war Panzers.

Perhaps someone can provide a decent layout of the scheme for me to follow and also a recommendation for the corret shade of Brown paint i.e. Tamiya (XF-?) or a Vallejo shade would be extremely helpful.

I know you favour this scheme Bill so I'll have a look at your BP Models website and the link posted by Shellback, too.

I'm going to make a quick start now and will post a few photos later.

Thanks guys,

Ben

I will Ben. I just haven't needed any barrels for a while. It was only the other day i realised i didn't have one for the Pz II. I'm with Bill on the paint scheme, while the Pz Grey is an option, the two colour scheme would look much better and be more likely. He has convinced me of this over the couple of discussions on the subject.

I wondered what those PE parts were for as well. RB barrels don't come with any instructions, but usually its quite self explanatory.

This is an ausf . F with the brown over gray that Bill mentioned

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt5yMGKo_rQ

Ben,

Carl's got you covered for the little PE bits...they are what locks the muzzle brake on the barrel end.

Don't trust the Tamiya markings guide to the letter...unlike other manufacturers, they are still holding to the straight panzer gray scheme when French campaign vehicles like the Pz II would most likely have had the two-tone scheme of 1/3 dark brown and 2/3 dark gray. While others (and I don't want to get into another debate here on the subject and distract from your build ) think that panzer gray is also viable, you will have a much more visually interesting subject in the 2-tone scheme vs. what Tamiya indicates.

Look forward to seeing what you do with this one!

The new guy at Armour Models called Steve is a truly top bloke. I chatted with him at the Hinckley show. As soon as he toon over from Lou he reduced the price of Friuls by £5!

He know his stuff too - give him a try Bish.

Ben  

I haven't used Armour Models since the new guy took over, so this will be a good excuse. I have a shed load of those antennas in my AM box as i am going to use them on all my builds. I think i will order those barrels next month.

Hey Bish,

The RB options is ideal - although there is an antennae trough there is no antennae so the brass RB one is a good choide for only a pound if you hate stretching sprue like me!

I use Steve at Armour Models for my RB stuff and Friuls too. Google Armour Models if you don't use them already. His site is great.

Ben

Looks like this will be one great build will be watching with interest ..... I'm right on the verge of the dark side ..... need guidance

Looking forward to this build. I only realised the other week that i don't have an AM barrel for mine. Is the RB one upto its usual standard.