Review By: Bill Curtis
Background
Starting in early 1941, a new reconnaissance tank programme started development on the Pz. II Ausf J which had a schedule for the mock-up to be finished in early/mid 1942. The prototype was to be ready at the end of August, but the programme was cancelled in January 43 with no completed vehicle being manufactured. This was due to the lack of a suitably heavy main armament and, as it was similar to the Panther, it was decided that the latter option would be a cheaper way to go forward.
Initial Assessment
The kit comes in a sturdy box and on opening the first things you see are the instructions and the single colour sheet for the camouflage and markings. There is a cardboard compartment with a lid which holds the upper and lower hull parts and six sprues of parts totalling 195 for the vehicle with another twelve and 432 pieces for the tracks. The high count for the tracks is because each link has two guide horns, which are moulded as separate items and will have to be fixed-in place. Also included is a nice etched brass fret containing 27 pieces.
Gallery
Click on image to enlarge/go back.
Accuracy
This being a ‘Paper Panzer’, I feel accuracy is not important but the wheel, gun and drive sprockets are good to my plans – where they are also used on other vehicles.
Quality
The quality of the mouldings is really good, with some very nice detail for such a small kit. The turret top hatches have the vision blocks but internal detail is nearly non-existent, apart from the gun but if these are left open crew figures will blank out the inside. The tracks have a knock-out mark on each which will need cleaning before the guide horns are fitted. The etched brass fret is very nice with six screens and other parts and even includes six wing nuts.
Instructions
These come in the form of two sheets of different sized paper. Oneis folded in two with requirements for building the kit, the first three stages of build (Option 1) and the parts breakdown in diagram form on the trees.
The second sheet is folded in three places and starts with Stage Two again, as this is a different option of wheel lay out and then carries on to step 13 for final assembly. The drawings are clear, well-printed and look easy to follow, but I would suggest sitting and reading through before starting.
A single sheet is also supplied in colour, which shows a suggested camouflage and markings layout. There is a colour key supplied and references the colours to Mr. Hobby, Vallejo, Model Master, Tamiya and Humbrol.
Decals
The decals consist of the Balkan cross and white outline numbers and look to be well printed and thin.
Conclusions
I have to say that I have not been a fan of the ‘Paper Panzer,’ but am now changing my mind. The company itself is partly responsible for this, as the quality of the moulding is very good, the subjects are interesting and the freedom which it gives one to finish the vehicle is unlimited within the reason of ‘what-if’.
I think the one down side is going to be the tracks, with the clean-up and fit of all those guide horns, but overall I think this will be a fun kit and build into a very nice model. Well done HobbyBoss; but please can you work on your track design?!
Highly Recommended.
Bill C.
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