Panzer II Ausf J - 1/35 - case report

Gents !!!

      In the building of the Panzer I Ausf F, during the research on this monster, I found many similarities between the Panzer I Ausf F and Panzer II Ausf J. 

Modified from Hobby Boss box art

    They shared the same philosophy of construction and use, same suspensions, wheels, tracks and engine. They are first cousins!!!

Panzer I Ausf F

Panzer II Ausf J

        Well, if they are so similar, why not build them together??  I looked in my closet and Bingo! Found this avis rara:

Panzer II Ausf J - Alan - 1/35

     

     So let's stop rambling and let's work!!First of all, the real thing...

History:

        The VersuchsKetten VK-1601 (experimental fully tracked vehicle 16 tons model 01) was a tank slightly based on the Panzer II. The object was to improve the armor and therefore the survivality in the battefield. In order to do so the frontal armor was 80 mm and 50 mm in the side hull /turret. This tank copied the crew layout in the Pz II , with an Tank commander/gunner/ loader, radio operator and driver.

       The development for an "ZERO" series was issued in December 1939, development of the chassis was entrusted ton MAN and the turret went to Daimler-Benz. The fisrt VK1601 was completed in June 1940.

VK-1601 prototype

         This tank had an interleaved suspension of similar desing to the prototipe "VK901" but more strongly built in order to support the aditional weight. The hull and the superestructure was buil as one unit ( A departure from the German practice up to this time wich was a bolted superestructure.)

Command who can... Obey who has sense!! - Notice the Vk 1601 turret

A VK-1601 in summer cammo

        In total 22 VK1601 were manufactured between April - December 1942, The "Ausf J" designation was a extraoficial one used mostly by the soldiers. The armament being a 20 mm automatic KwK 38 gun and a 7,92mm MG-34 with 2150 AP bullets. The turret was traversible only by hand. Photos of this tank are very hard to find.

Panzer II Ausf J in good company: following a Panzer IV

Other angle of the same situation above

        Seven VK 1601 (Ausf J) were issued to 12th Panzer Division, which was fighting on the Eastern Front. Some were delivered to the 13th Polizei Panzer Kompanie, in 1942.

Pz II Ausf J in Eastern Front

Panzer II Ausf J in rest. Eastern front.

Another shot of one VK-1601 with Panzer IV and infantarie

        In 1944, one of them was converted into a recovery vehicle - Bergepanzer II Ausf J.  Later on in 1944/45, the same vehicle served with Panzer Werkstatt Kompanie (Tank Repair Company) of 116th Panzer Division.

Bergepanzer VK-1601

Bergepanzer VK-1601 - profile

font: http://www.ww2incolor.com/forum/showthread.php?3292-Panzer-projects-amp-prototypes/page11

            All of those designs finally led to the development of VK 1303 - Panzerspahwagen II Ausf L Luchs.

Specs:

Designation	Panzerkampfwagen II VK-1601  Ausf j
Crew	3 (cdr, gnr, drv)
Weight	25,000kg
Length	4.1m
Height	2.15m
Width	2.84m
Armament	1 x 20 mm KwK 38 L/55 1 x 7.92mm MG34 machine-gun
Armour Thickness	50mm to 80mm
Engine	Maybach HL45P petrol, 285cu in/5 litre, 150hp
Transmission	Maybach double differential
Suspension	Transverse torsion bar
Maximum Speed	21km/h
Road Radius	150km
Vertical Obstacle	0.33m
Trench Crossing	1.50m

The kit:

        Like the Panzer I Ausf F, the kit is very simple. Comes packaged in a thin cardboard box with the pieces in a single sealed plastic bag.   

Alan´s box

Sprues in one sealed plastic bag

        I started by the hull, doing the same treatment of the Panzer I rear: making a grill with nylon net. Superglue is a good thing!!!

Adding the rear grill

        The hull almost done: The kit is very simple...

        The alignment of the drive sprockets:

drive sprockets

        And torsion bars, like the Panzer i Ausf F:

        The interleaved wheels in position:

 interleaved wheels

        I replaced the main and secondary armament by RBModel´s metal stuff. The original parts in plastic were junk !!!

       The fenders:

        And the links of track. Good injection in this part...

        On your feet, Soldier !!!

       

          Fast, is not it??  Now, these two German Girls will walk together!!

 The Panzer II was painted with Panzer I, as you guys saw the pictures of the other topic ...

The two girls in yellow...again...Panzer I Ausf F and Panzer II Ausf J

Panzer II Ausf J in tones of yellow

...and with camouflage in stripes.

         After the camouflage, I applied a layer of Future, for decals. I choose for my Panzer II Ausf J  the marks of 12th Panzerdivision (Heer), serving in "Kompanie Bethke",  Eastern front, 1943.

Panzer II Ausf J - 12th Panzerdivision (Heer) - "Kompanie Bethke" - 1943

Panzer II Ausf J - right side

Panzer II Ausf J - rear view

The final step of this project: Pummelig (Chubby) is ready for action...

Panzer II Ausf J Pummelig (Chubby) - the nickname is justified...

Panzer II Ausf J - left view

Panzer II Ausf J - right view

Panzer II Ausf J - 12th Panzerdivision (Heer) -Kompanie Bethke - Eastern Front - 1943.

     2020 update:

      This light tank was updated to participate in a commission project, where I improved the painting of the tools, changed the lenses of the headlights and painted the fire extinguisher in the real color of these equipment, at the time of WWII. The color red was a sin that I was ashamed of a little ... 

Sd.Ah.116 heavy trailer PAULA with Panzer II Ausf J PUMMELIG
12th Panzerdivision (Heer) - "Kompanie Bethke", Eastern front,
after an overhaul in Germany in 1943

Sd.Ah.116 heavy trailer PAULA with Panzer II Ausf J PUMMELIG

Adicionar legenda

Panzer II Ausf J PUMMELIG
left side
Notice the wood crate in the trck's up...
In transport mode only...

left side view
See all history here

Notice the fire extinguisher in the right color!!

And the Panzer II Ausf J taking a free ride!!!

   Thanks, Tankers...see you soon!!...