Tamiya 1:48 Panzer II Ausf. A - Battle of France

[MikeyKb]

So I've seen a few of these in 1:35, but so far the only 1:48...

Here's by entry for this SiG. This will be my first attempt at an AFV.







I'm not a huge fan of the tools already attached to the model, it would have been nice to have them as separate pieces.


The sprues and pieces are spotless and flashless, very nicely done Tamiya!




Some nice decals and two metal rods to give the model some weight - nice touch.


Might throw a few of these little guys into the mix as well.


This image will be my inspiration for the diorama...
Battle of France


The German 1st Light Brigade was a mechanized unit established in October 1937 in imitation of the French Division Légère Mécanique, intended to take on the roles of army-level reconnaissance and security that had traditionally been the responsibility of cavalry. It included mechanized recon units, motorized infantry, and a battalion of tanks. In 1938 it was enlarged to become the 1st Light Division (sometimes described as Light Mechanized or Light Panzer to distinguish it from the later Light infantry divisions). In 1939 the division fought in the Invasion of Poland. Due to shortcomings that the campaign revealed in the organization of the Light divisions, it was reorganized as the 6th Panzer Division afterward in October 1939.

As the 6th Panzer Division, it participated in the 1940 Battle of France and then transferred east for the rest of the year. In June 1941 it joined Operation Barbarossa, fighting at first under Army Group North for Leningrad but soon transferring to Army Group Center, where it fought in the Battle of Moscow and the Rzhev-Vyazma Salient.

Cheers!

[HamilkarBarkas]

Nice to see some 1:48 scale here aswell

Looks like a great project, your inspiration photograph is definately a nice setting for a diorama.
Just make sure to choose the right figures, most of them you can see on the boxart have late war gear so they would not really suit a 1940 scene.

[MikeyKb]

Nice to see some 1:48 scale here aswell

Looks like a great project, your inspiration photograph is definately a nice setting for a diorama.
Just make sure to choose the right figures, most of them you can see on the boxart have late war gear so they would not really suit a 1940 scene.

Thanks!! I figured as much with the figures - even the box says 'LATE WWII' but at the moment - it's all I got A few of them might work, but I'll keep my eyes out for other figures. I really like 1:48 scale, still lots of detail and lots of room for the diorama and model when they're done.

Cheers.

[generalgrog]

Awesome subject matter. I'm jealous you got the grenadiers, I'll be watching closely.

Good luck.

GG

[MikeyKb]

Here's a little update for y'all.

Alright, time for some wheels...
BTW, ZERO flash on the entire kit.


Lots of tooth picks


I love the weights, feels much better in your hand, almost like a die-cast model.
You don't glue them in, they lock into place with the plastic 'bolts' that are cemented down.


Already attached suspension




I decided to spice up the smoke grenade



With some flaps, 'jack'


Tine little pieces. that fit into other tiny pieces.


Painted all the tires and some of the tools, the muffler, and some extra a base coat of Tamiya Nato Black. Based on the solid-piece construction of the gears, it'll be easier to paint it this way.


That's all for now.

[EasyEight96]

Nicely done will keep an eye on this build.

[gosselin2112]

Nice little 1:48 model you're building. I have yet to build any subjects in this scale

Model On!

RTG

[MikeyKb]

Thanks guys!!
I really love 1/48 scale, it's really too bad there isn't more of it. For people who need to save room and for dioramas, it's great.

I had to use my camera for work and missed a few things... I primed the tank with Tamiya NATO Black, just like the wheels.







Put all the wheels on.



The tracks come in multiple pieces, I did a crappy job shooting this set because I wanted to make sure I got it right. I'll take better photos of the other side when I get around to that, next.




The tracks aren't perfect, but hopefully they'll dry better off the tanks (how they are now). With weathering and paint and mud, I can cover up any imperfections. What do you guys recommend as a track wash for these? AK products aren't sold around here and on little jar cost around $20 CAD to have shipped. I have access to Vellejo paint (haven't used) and pigments which I have used, Tamiya, Humbrol and Testors/Model Masters.

Cheers for now.

[JayCub]

i haven't bought an 1/48 armour scale before, so this is interesting, and the photographs complement the build, im looking forward to seeing how this turns out with the diorama and the figures, for now i can sit back relax and browse the build log

Tom