I have seen several different iterations of the Tamiya Panzer II and the one I'm interested is the reputedly oversize "vintage" one of the Ausf F. I am into 1/32 rather than 1/35 but some 1/32 kits are apparently closer to 1/32 than their ostensible scale.

A Tamiya P2 is on eBay regularly, see here for example
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TAMIYA-1-35-Panzer-Kampfwagen-II-Ausf-F-G-Plastic-Kit-/150632120821?pt=UK_ToysGames_ModelKits_ModelKits_JN&hash=item23125fc1f5

and my question is, is this an old tool or a new one? I am not familiar enough with armour in general let alone Tamiya to know, but I'm guessing it's serial number of 35009 means "ninth item we tooled in 1/35". Other Tamiya P2s have serial numbers such as 35292. This makes me think 35009 might be the one I need, can anyone confirm?

For true added value, has anybody got a built one they can use to check the scale?

Hi John,

35009 is an old tool kit, I think from the late sixties. It is one with the holes in the hull for the old motorized kits. Detail, as you can guess is poor compared to todays standard but it goes together well. I can't comment on scale as I no longer have mine.

One thing though, it your thinking of buying that one off ebay, don't! Its a rip off. You should be able to get this kit for £6-8. I got mine for £5.95 from my LHS last year.

Cheers
Matt

Thanks Matt, there are actually several on the 'Bay of which that's the dearest.

It does sound like the "vintage" P2 kit mentioned now you mention the date, so thanks for that.

There are a few builds over the Airfix Tribute Forum so I will maybe aks there and see if anyone who's done one can measure it,

It would be very nice to pick these up for £6 to £8! It does not appear to be rare, luckily!

Even Squadron has this kit listed at (US)$12.15
http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=TM35009