Military Model Scene

The seventh release in this World at War series of magazines, which come complete with a plastic kit, this time the Pz II Ausf b.  The kits are made by Polish based IBG, while the magazine is done by the UK based Guideline Publications.

As usual, the magazine provides the historical background information on the tank, including archive photos, and with details of each element of it (engine, hull, turret, armament etc) plus it carries the assembly instructions for the kit itself.  The text is provided in full in both English and German, as are any captions. The A usf b was built by MAN in Nuremberg, with 100 being made up to March 1937.  It is recognisable by having the rounded hull front, a square commanders hatch on the turret and the 6 road-wheels each side, in pairs using a leaf-spring suspension and a supporting external girder.  Very different to the later variants with their much larger, 5 roadwheels. 

The Ausf b was used in combat during the Polish campaign, in Belgium/France and the early stages of the invasion of Russia in 1941.  They were soon considered obsolete and replaced, so few carried on to later in the war, except as driver training manchines and ammo carriers.

As is now standard for this range, the kit is simplified in that the track and running gear are moulded in one piece, though detail fittings on the hull and turret, such as the headlights etc, which are quite small and delicate.  Detail is nicely done and these build into a very neat model and are quick enough to build.  So far I have mine built and just a basic coat of dark grey colour to be added plus all the details to be done before some weathering and transfers are added.

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Robin