PANZER II...WHAT KIND OF DETAILS?

I personally cannot get enough of this. I am pretty excited about the DX'10 exclusive - The Panzer II. As far as I know this is the only picture so far of the way the production vehicle is going to be finished and I think it looks really sharp. As a result, I am already thinking about how I might detail it. I began looking for images online and sort of divided my investigation into two categories; actual vehicle photos and models. Thought I would share with you some of the stuff I found.

As discussed in a previous post, production was stopped on the Panzer II in 1943 because it had become obsolete in the face of more heavily armed tanks. However, the tank continued to be used throughout the war and as a result was seen in many different paint schemes, such as the winter white application over panzer gray in the photo above. I need to do a lot more research on it, but the photo suggests that we are not just restricted to panzer gray or mustard yellow for painting this baby.

I am probably wrong about this, maybe Panzercommander or Hammer Six could set me straight, but I am thinking that these next two pictures are showing a Finnish Panzer II, at least I think that is what the large white cross is indicating. Any answers on that?

Can't read the location on this one above, but the date is 1941. This could be a number of locations. Interesting the crewman riding on the back deck of the vehicle. The tank in the back actually looks to be a Panzer I. It looking like there might be a little bit of stowage on that back deck of the lead vehicle as well, but it difficult to tell.

Here we get a couple of shots of vehicles in North Africa, I think this could be an interesting way to finish the tank and it is obvious from these shots that there were plenty of them present in that theater.

I really like this shot below because there is a lot going on in the pictures. Looks like two Mark IIs and a Mark III, which would indicate that early in the war, they probably even operated in units together. Those of you who know a little more about Panzer units can probably shine a little bit of light on to this. The motorcycles would seem to indicate maybe a recon unit, I don't know. It is a cool scene and one that would be fun to duplicate in 1:6th. Notice that there is some stowage on the Mark II's and the lead one has a flag tied down on the back for identification from the air.

A rare color shot, which may be staged for our friends at SIGNAL. Notice that these two Mark II's have a clean rear deck.

Below is a Mark II in the "parking lot" at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. I have photographed this particular tank my self and have seen it up close and personal painted like this with that black stripe on the turret. Oddly enough, I have never seen a picture in a book with a similar marking.

I thought this was an interesting shot below, not only because there looks to be a little bit of stowage on the vehicle, but the vehicle is also carrying some infantry soldiers.

Another interesting shot, check out the cupola on the lead tank. A very interesting variation, I have never seen this one before. Anyone have an idea what that is for? Command tank?

Sometimes pictures of other models can be a nice source of information. Who can ever forget this classic for Tamaya back in the 70's. An Afrika Korps version of the Panzer II complete with four infantry soldier figures. I think I build about three of these when I was a teenager.

This model below doesn't have any stowage to speak of, but I do like the winter camo job that has been done on it. Looks like it is ready to take on some Russians.

I thought this shot was real interesting because it definitely has some after-market pieces added for a cluttered looks. Look at all the stuff on that back deck. I would love to pile that much stuff on this tank. It just has the look of a vehicle on the move. Possibly a little over done, but cool all the same. So here's the challenge, I am looking for detailing ideas, if you see any great pictures out there off Panzer II's send them in. Several of us are getting one of the new Dragon Panzer II's and I know I could sure use some ideas.

That's all for this time, until next UPDATE, have a good one!