Panzer II Ausf. C with Mine Roller (AfrikaKorps)
The only reference photo of Panzer II Ausf. C with mine roller in North African theatre. There was no tactical number could be seen on turrent and both sides of upper structure, but it seemed there was a sign of palm tree on the left side of vision port.
The Pz. II C from headquarter of regiment. The capital R painted on turret implied this vehicle was directly affiliated to regimental headquarter. However, I did not know whether this Pz II C was from 15 or 21 Pz. Div.. In my point of view, I thought this Pz. II C was very likely to be a vehicle of 15 Pz. Div. because of the jerrycan case on the left rear fender (Most of Pz. II from 15 Pz. Div. chose to place their jerrycans on left rear fender).
A Pz. II C from 21 Pz. Div., both the palm tree and divisional insignia were painted on the vehicle's front plate. It seemed that the armor on manlet was upgraded.
The box art of Dragon 6812.
Most of products of Panzer II Ausf. C manufactured by Dragon are very similar to each other. At least based on my research and comparison, the Dragon 6812, 6432 and 6752 were almost the same except some equipments are different, such as the mine-roller or antenna.
Most of products of Panzer II Ausf. C manufactured by Dragon are very similar to each other. At least based on my research and comparison, the Dragon 6812, 6432 and 6752 were almost the same except some equipments are different, such as the mine-roller or antenna.
Some highlights of Pz.Beob II Ausf. C.
The two alternative versions can be chose for Dragon 6812.
Highlights of some details.
The box art of Dragon 6752 (Collection of Whitebox). That is the version I am going to make for this project.
The Dragon 6812 box contains all the parts of 6752, including the PEs and decals.
So, it gives me the possibility to convert the dragon 6812 into 6752
So, it gives me the possibility to convert the dragon 6812 into 6752
Time to work on the project.
The transmission system of Panzer II Ausf. C
Kwk30 L/55 20mm gun
MG-34 Machine Gun
Take a seat, please.
Would you like to sit inside?
What a comfortable zone for you to take a rest ～
Is that a school-bag inside the Panzer???
Turn on the radio and listen to the music
The front plate of Ausf. C, quite different from the Ausf. F
I will brush the equipments or tools on tank plate separately.
The suspension system has been constructed ～
The road and idler wheels were painted and installed on chassis
I do not choose to glue the tools and equipments on the upper deck of tank at this moment, because of I usually paint them separately
A very light chips have been applied for this Panzer II
The exhaust pipe will be airbrushed separately sometime in next week
The Dragon decals were in excellent condition compared to Academy
XF-93 was employed as the top coat. I used the XF-9 as the surfacer and XF-63 as prime color (chipped color)
The small jerrycan-case was PE part from Academy 13535
The sprockets and return rollers were installed and the tracks were also finished
The wooden box was painted and glued on the deck
Most of equipments were painted and settled (S-hook, metal scissors and crowbar). Maybe I should add some bags, blankets, storage bins or other accessories on the back deck of Panzer II, but it all depends on my current budgets……
Some spare tracks will be linked and set in the very front of deck. My initial schedule is to complete this project no later than mid of October, so I hope I could finish the construction of mine roller in the next two weeks. The mine roller part is a little bit challenging as all components are PEs.
The two brackets of mine roller were fully folded and brushed; the PE parts gave me a chance to reflect the realistic of model, but they drove me crazy especially when I cut, folded and glued them (Another reason was that the Dragon’s instruction manual was unclear, again. It just showed the basic blueprint of framework, all the details were omitted). I enjoy the finished product of PEs, but suffer from the construction process
The framework of mine roller was almost completed and the prime color XF-9 hull red was painted.
I will airbrush the metal framework one more time before I print the top coat on them. It is a little bit tough to brush acrylic paints on the metal surface
It is very interesting to compare the size between Panzer II and Panther G (Command version with steel wheel)
The mine roller is done
Heavy chips have been applied on the bracket of mine roller
The PE parts of mine roller are great
I will double check the main body of Panzer II before I attach the mine roller to the tank
The mine roller is now attached to main body of Panzer II
Some excess tools are settled on the back deck
I also put some spare tracks on the front deck
I will try make a easy diorama for this Panzer II in next month or even later
I think now this Panzer II is 100# completed. By the way, happy Mid-Autumn festival
According to the reference photo, there was no tactical NO. or insignia could be found this Panzer II, so I just make an assumption that the Panzer II was one of members from 8th Rgt. of 15th Pz. Div.
Modify this Pz. II C with mine roller based on my new idea.
I removed the insignia of 15 Pz. Div. on the turret and a new insignia of 21 Pz. Div. was stuck on the front plate.
Comments
9 22 August 2021, 05:19
Adrian ForestFor teeny-tiny too-small-for-tweezers photo-etch, I recommend a wax pencil. Might still be impossible, but maybe slightly less impossible? 🙂
22 August 2021, 21:33
Album info
Conversion of Dragon 6812 and my final product will be Dragon 6752.
The benefits of Dragon 6812 is the box not only contains the original sprue of 6812, but also includes all parts of Dragon 6752 (mine roller panzer II in North Africa), it indicates that there is a possibility for me to convert the 6812 into 6752.
However, some drawbacks of Dragon kits are also significant. Firstly, the Dragon SK is not relatively but extremely expensive comparing to some other brands. It costs me 268 Chinese Yen (Over 50 Canadian dollars) to buy this kit and the prices of panzer II for Tamiya, Academy or some other brands are all below 150 Chinese Yen. The second problem is that most Dragon smart kits are not smart at all, their instruction manual booklets are not foolish but very foolish, a lot of typos and mistakes can be easily found and they never try to correct them. Lastly, some plastic or PE parts from Dragon kits are super super tiny and it is extremely complex for us to do constructions. Sometimes I can not even hold them by using the smallest tweezer, so how should I glue those tiny parts!!! Are you f*cking kitting me, Dragon???
