Irvin, Nicely done. Congrats on finishing the campaign. Just one question, why did you do each photo as a separate post?

Joel

All done.



Is there somewhere else that I need to post a pic?

Hi, all! Hope I'm not too late to (re)join into this fray before all the cool Light Tanks are done with!

My prior LT ambitions having been dashed and the sulk now over, and my whist to do an early panzer paint-scheme fully rev’d up, I have a new project on the table for this campaign: I’ll be doing the Tamiya Panzerkampfwagen II A/B/C French Campaign kit (35295). My Start-pic from Saturday afternoon is attached below.



I plan on doing this one mostly OOTB (having read somewhere that it’s a pretty nice kit, and that it builds well, and having seen good stuff when I opened the box Sat PM…), including the kit tracks and most bits and bobs. I do plan on adding the RB Models 2cm KwK 30 barrel shown in the start-pic, and may also add on some ‘cans, a little stowage (although most pics I’ve seen of these Pz II in France, 1940 show pretty much clean and “stock” tanks!), some tiny chain for those smoke-candles, and some Dragon tools to flesh out the OVM department some… There apparently is no antenna included, so I’ll be making one from the old sprue. NO PE kit will be used. All added details will be either scratch or those parts found in the spares-box. I have no specific base nor figure plan, yet – knowing me, I’ll be lucky to get the tank done on time!

I plan on doing the regulation brown-on-gray scheme in force for panzers in May, 1940. Markings may be kit decals or maybe some of my fav stencils…

So… Will I get it done by late DEC? I kicked off on Sat and a little more yesterday, so there IS hope, I think! On my side is the fact that this is NOT one of those Dragon Super-kits. Only time will tell...

More soon!

Bob

Bob’s Pz II progress report 1:

I’ve jumped on into this little gem with both feet and hands. Just as advertised by many, this is a cleanly-done kit with nice details, clean molding, and from what I can see mostly very good engineering and fit.

Step 1 was to un-bag and wash all the sprues in warm soapy water, followed by a good double rinse with a final splash of distilled water to eliminate all likely mineral deposits from the tap stuff.

I next cleaned up all the track gear and wheels and assembled the idlers and roadies (which come with small vinyl inserts for fitting onto axels without cement… NICE engineering detail for the way I like to work – assemble tracks and wheels, remove the assemblies, paint them and hull separately, and re-assemble for weathering). I decided to add some gouges and wear to the rubber tires… some wheels more than others. At least one will look almost new, while a couple are really tired…



The springs needed some work to remove the seams from the springs proper – while leaving them in-place for the casting seams on the other parts. These actually look quite nice, although de-seaming leaf-springs is a drag.

One of this tank’s visible features is a set of small cast lifting-hooks scattered around the hull and turret. The kit parts look much fuller and 3-d then do any PE parts, but are solid – whereas the real hooks had 2 small holes in each. Drilling these out while parts were on the sprue turned out to be quite easy!



While the tiny drill was still in my fingers, those major hatch-hinges got some attention, too. Another easy detail tweak for these kits – drill some pin-holes in hinges.



I did major assembly steps on the hull-tub and upper-hull – appliqué sides, visors, end-pieces, etc. I’ll complete the visors and start into a few tool-mount details (scrap styrene or can-tin and sprue bits) and work on the turret tonight.

QUESTION: I've seen some pictures in pubs and web-sites which show the Pz II idlers with two smallish holes in the sides (no, not bullet - holes, you ever-hopeful ninnies!) - no kits appear to have these. Anyone out there know whether these would have appeared on an A or B in France, 1940? They look sorta cool and easy as heck to add - but I don't want to put both my feet into my mouth at one time!

Back to the Bench. Gotta get it done gotta get it done gotta get it done

Bob

Hi Bob, according to this product review http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/passionmodels/pm_p35025.html , those two holes on the idler are for accessing grease nipples. Both Tamiya and Dragon have omitted this detail - a limitation in plastic injection molds?

regards,
Jack

Thanks!

Mondo helpful! So yep, now I can rush off and drill in some holes. Ports of accessing grease nipples does make a lot of sense. And all the more perplexing that period pics clearly suggest that some but not all idlers were so built! Which is why I raised this Q.

I checked the linked review - hoping for clarification of where those grease fittings might be... (thinking that they could perhaps be visible down in those holes and so I would add them...). I don't think Terry A said anything beyond that the nipples were supposed to be in there. Maybe attached to that small disk - plate behind that idler?

Now that you sent this link, I recall that yes, I DID at one time (probably in a review by Terry A) read that Tamiya and Dragon Pz II kits did come with slighty small idlers... but it's too late for that now! If these are under-sized, well, so be it! Still, the holes will go in tonight, and some sort of nipples somewhere behind them!

Again, Thanks for the help!

Bob

Bob, I wasn't sure at first, but now you clarified that not all photos have these holes in the idlers. My thought is perhaps it was a field modification made by crews when they realized it needed regular greasing? It's possible too that even the grease nipples were added after the vehicle left the factory.

regards,
Jack

Hi DazzaD

These Fruiltracks are white metal and I often try to use them. It's a little bit(!) expensive but it worth it.

They are flexible and with its copper pins and a little bit super glue you can stick them together easily. After you stick them you can mold them as you wish.

The point is: use super glue as small as possible and use it only to the hole that you insert the copper pin.

Hi! Is it too late to join up with this?


I know it's an oldie, but it's a simple build and will be only my 2nd vehicle. I need to do something to take my mind off that FW190 from the 1/48 campaign - it's doing my head in re the wing root gap which I have started to obsess over!!
Thanks,
Pete

Hello everyone.

well I think I broke through the wall. Today I finished up the tracks and now I'll get ready for the painting. I hope..

here is photo.. the tape is there because I have them done as 2 sections so I can paint them off the vehicle.



And I had a little extra help the other night while I was working on them.. turn your back for 1 minute and one of those pesky cats will find themselves a new bed such as in your airbrush booth.



later everyone
Delbert

Go for it pete, not much time left though

Delbert, those tracks look great!

Delbert, tell me about it. I have to keep the door to my model/computer room closed even when I'm working in there, as the cat comes in and thinks he's in charge.

He's been on my work table, laptop keyboard, chair (his personal favorite), but I kicked him out when I saw him eyeing my display shelves. The thought of him jumping on a shelf and knocking over a few models was truly a nightmare.

Joel

Yep! Cat stories!

I have a 13-pound "mutt-mese" Siameser who digs open boxes... any box from a standard Kleenex-size on up is a worthy candidate for a nap... snug is nice. Open kit boxes on the bench, whether with or without sprues, are ideal... I have learned to keep the lids on "just in case". Cats are adaptive... and the alternative strategy by mine is to go sit on the (live and in-use) laptop keyboard when deterred from the kit box.

Bob

Thanks Big-John - I've got most of the build work done already as it's such a simple kit. Drilled out the gun barrels, and I will fabricate lenses for the headlights. Just need to take some time and work out what Vallejo colours I need to order, or whether I can mix up something from what I already have. I'm looking forward to painting & weathering, and I hope that you experienced guys will keep me right and pass on lots of tips!

Delbert - I also have a cat that tries to learn too much about modelling.


Pete - that wing has really driven you to this? A nice easy build can do wonders for getting you back on track. Have fun experimenting with the panzer.

Bob's Pz II progress report 2!

Hi, all!

It's a tiny panzer horse-race! Pete's panzer II is shaping up nicely (and drilling those barrels out makes a lot of up difference in that older kit, IMO! NICE!) Del is at a similar stage (tracks assembled on and ready to come off for painting?) that I am - and nice-looking 1B there, Pard! (I have exactly that one in about the same state in a plastic shoe-bin just waiting for a paint decision - but I'll guess you have a scheme ready to go with!)

I burned some late night oil on my II while listening to the pie bake, etc... and with a little encouraging company from friends (last pic) some progress actually got made!

I pretty much completed the turret, other then those top-hatches. There was a little sprue-filling needed for 2 small gaps at join between top and ring-plate, but nothing difficult. I added on the RB metal KwK 30 barrel - mighty slick - it'll help the turret quite a lot, I think. I'm still not sure whether one of the hatch-panels will be open or not - not much interior and I don't have a figure to stick into this, but I am resistant to closing all...



Back on the rear deck, I added a couple of small grab-handles made from stretched sprue. I'm now actually unsure as to whether these are legit for a Panzer II A in France, 1940, but I've found various Pz II pics which show handles, so... IF these cannot really be used on this version, please let me know!



I next assembled the running gear onto the chassis ad assembled the link n length tracks. I created the entire run, with an open gap, on each side. Once dry, I removed the track runs and pulled all those wheels back off for separate painting. The real beauty of Tamiya shows right HERE! How cool - it all comes off and will go back on when ready - easy-sneezy! GREAT engineering!



quick dismount...



I then moved on and put the hull top and bottom together... And discovered that I had left out that little curved vent piece which lies in the right rear hull side... but only after things had dried a bit, of course I had to cut the hull back apart, put the piece in, add that little "wire" guard piece on the outside, and put things back together A bit of a PITA, I'll say. Still, it did go back together, and a little filling and sanding disguises the minor scars from the ordeal. I did NOT record this fiasco in the memory card space

I concluded with assembling front end stuff onto the hull - the front armor, head lamps, Notek light, horn. These kits always benefit from a little love right here up front - I added some sprue-conduits for the lamps. Easy little detail!



Need to add on a few more fender bits, a hatch or 2, the heat shield on the muffler, the smoke-candles, and it's going to be paint time!

Last but not least, my furry friends decided as they often do to come up and participate.... I did manage to keep both from the sprue-filled box and my cyberhobby parts-well...!



Back to the bench tomorrow. Gottagetthisdone

Cheers!

Bob

Hey guys

The hull of my Stuart is assembled, pics soon

Cheers,

Paul

The BellMan completed. Got a bit sad the fenders(not sure if its what you call it) break and so the decals. But im fine with it and had alot of fun with this build. Its the first Kit i finished 100%. Here it is

Hello everyone

Bob.. love the cats.. we have 4 btw.. lol

jeremiah thats a nice little stuart you have there.

I finally took paint to model..

got the tracks painted their basecoat of flat earth..

and I'm using AK Interactives Panzer Gray Modulation set.

I used the first color today Dunkelgrau Shadow. I know I'm not the neatest, and this is my first try at a modulation technique. here is the photo.



next will be the dark base..

btw these are acrylic colors and they spray very well right out of the bottle, at least the first color did..

Delbert

Thanks Delbert. Ow i forgot. I got a newly acquired tool.



A t-34/76 cast turret or m151a1 shmira might be the first one to be sprayed by it.

Nice jeremiah

I don't have the Patriot yet (I think thats what that one is.)

but its on my list.. I like the badgers I have about 6 of them. Love the Krome (my latest) it has a nice trigger action.

Delbert

Thanks Bob... I'm following your lead! I've drilled the idler wheel holes.. but don't know if I'm man enough to attempt the holes in the hinges or the lifting hooks though!! In my haste to git goin, I also forgot to wash the parts, thanks for the reminder. Sorted now. While on the cat subject, here's another. Also many thanks to John at scalemodelshop.co.uk... next day delivery of my paint order to N. Ireland is good going!

Images of your completed build for this campaign goes here:
Light Tanks Campaign Gallery

Jeremmiah, congratulations on one finishing your 1st ever build. Now display it proudly my friend.
Joel

Pre-shaded in black, top coat of Vallejo desert yellow. The shading is more apparent that the pic shows.I also took a head stagger and opened up the vision slit - don't know if that's correct or not? And I did put the holes in the hinges & hooks, although a couple have sustained "battle damage"! Did a wee bit of welding seams around the turret, again not too sure if it's a bit too brutal.