Photo Feature by Vinnie Branigan

<full photo review here>

"...another outstanding job ..."

<full review here>
- Frank V. De Sisto

6432 Pz.Kpfw.II Ausf C mit Zusatzpanzer
1/35 injection plastic kit with photo etch and decals

Combat experience from the invasions of Poland and later France revealed that the Panzer II needed upgraded armour and improved vision for the commander. This lead to the fitting of supplementary armour (zusatzpanzer) to the turret and hull and the installation of a cupola to replace the simple split hatch. These upgraded vehicles were used in North Africa and Russia, and can be easily identified in photos.

Overview

This kit features significant new tooling including a new upper hull and turret, while sharing other parts with the recent Panzer II Ausf F. As such all tooling in this kit is to Dragon latest standards. This kit includes considerable optional interior detail for both the turret and the lower hull/fighting-compartment.

The model has approximately 500 parts and includes photo etch, clear periscopes, and decals. The gatefold instructions have 22 steps of line drawings.

Hull

The upper hull and engine deck is a large integrated part, which is new tooling. This part has angled front driver’s plate of the Ausf C and incorporates the main fenders (with antiskid tread plate). The lower hull is a one-piece tub with considerable detail on the belly plate. The transmission inspection hatch can be modeled open to reveal internal detail.

The upper front and side plates are added using applique parts, which incorporate the zusatzpanzer and have separate parts for the visors/flaps. The hatch for the engine bay can be assembled open, however you will need to provide your own aftermarket engine. Details on the rear such as the lifting hooks, toolboxes (larger box can be modeled open) and splashguard are all separate parts.

The front and rear fender flaps are individual pieces which will meet most modeller’s expectations and could be modeled folded up; while those wishing a thinner profile may thin them or use aftermarket PE replacements. As expected the headlamps and Notek light are crisp and have clear plastic lens and PE base respectively. The multi-part exhaust comes with a photo-etched heat shield with the characteristic perforations.

Two sets of on-vehicle tools are provided of which one has the clamps molded on for easy of assembly, and the other is bare and is for use with the PE clamps provided. The multipart jack has optional PE brackets. The kit has the option of having three jerry cans strapped to the engine deck (for Libya decals). PE is used for the strap and the cans’ centre weld join.

The suspension is impressively detailed with some new tooling, which shows Dragon's attention to the subtleties of each production series including new leaf spring suspension, which now integrates the leaf spring and axle arm. You have a choice of two types of drive sprockets, of which one has a complex series of counter sunk holes on the edge of the sprocket which are often visible in photos. The road wheels compare favourable to photos in terms of the subtle rim markings and the hub pattern. The tires and return rollers are labeled “Continentau” (you can slice of half the “U” if you really wish).

Tracks

The pre-cut injection plastic magic tracks have solid guide horns with the impressed horn center and are "handed" in that separate left and right side tracks are in their own plastic bag with different shades of gray. The links snap together for quick assembly and a whole run can be assembled quickly before you apply glue.

Turret with Interior

The turret has new tooling and is based around a slide-molded shell. The new zusatzpanzer is a single piece that has crisp bolt head detail and sits over the front of the turret. A pair of lifting hooks which are finely detailed separate parts are attached to the top of the zusatzpanzer. The commander’s cupola is a separate slide-molded piece with interior detail including seven separate clear plastic vision blocks and a PE handle.

The turret’s two guns are fully detailed both externally and internally. The main gun the 2cm Kw.K.30 has the muzzle hollowed out. The gun’s mounting, breech and ZF-4 scope are all crisply tooled. The coaxial MG34 is Gen-2 tooling and has internal mountings. Other internal turret detail includes the multipart side vision blocks with separate handles, the commander’s seat and the teeth on the turret’s base.

Driver and Radio Operator’s Compartment

This kit has a detailed hull interior with numerous internal fittings. The driver’s compartment includes the seat, dials, pedals and ZF SSG46 Aphon transmission. The hull sides feature the radio set (receiver and transmitter), radio operator’s seat, new fuel tank, air filter, several storage bins (e.g. headphone box) and small details such as bolt heads, braces and cabling. The floor of the fighting compartment has antiskid tread and the rear firewall includes one side of the radiator. You may want to add some crew gear like gas masks and MB38/40 from your spares box. Overall the level and crispness of the internal detail is impressive and surprisingly modeler friendly.

Decals

The Cartograph waterslide decal sheet has markings for seven Panzer II C. The painting guide illustrates each tank in colour from three (or in the case of one Panzer four) views, while the box has a colour side profile for each tank. The schemes are:

turret number 4 of 15th Panzer Division, Libya 1941 which is overall dark yellow and has a multipart decal for the DAK emblem.
turret number white 12 of PzAbt.z.b.V.40, Norway 1940 which is overall dark grey with a white Balkan Cross.
the above Panzer II with yellow and black stripes on the lower turret and a yellow cross (only depicted on side of box).
turret number white 121 from the Caucus (Eastern Front) 1941 which is white washed over dark grey.
5th Panzer Division Eastern Front) 1941 which is a faded white washed over dark grey with a low visibility white Balkan Cross.
turret number red ‘II 14’, Libya 1942 which is dark yellow with green patches.
10th Panzer Division, Tunisia 1943, which is dark yellow with a grey lower hull and a white band on the turret.

Recommendation

This new Panzer II C will assemble into an impressive model out of the box. The zusatzpanzer add that extra interest while at the same time ensuring the kit reflects the upgraded Panzer II C as often seen in frontline photos. Highly recommended.

- Neville Lord

"A very nice kit indeed!..."

<full review here>
- Vinnie Branigan

"Nice new kit of the pre-war version of the Panzer II with full interior..."

<full review here>
- Cookie Sewell