The Panzer II was the common name for a family of German tanks used in World War II. The official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen II (abbreviated PzKpfw II). Although the vehicle had originally been designed as a stopgap while more advanced tanks were developed, it nonetheless went on to play an important role in the early years of World War II, during the Polish and French campaigns. By the end of 1942 it had been largely removed from front line service, and production of the tank itself ceased by 1943.

The Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf c was the final development version of the Panzer II light tank. The biggest change made on this version of the tank was the replacement of the six small paired road wheels of the Ausf a and Ausf b tanks with five larger independently sprung road wheels. The number of return rollers was also increased, from three to four. The Ausf c retained the 13mm armour of the earlier development versions. The new suspension increased the hieght of the tank by 3cm.

Alan, of St. Petersburg, Russia produced this kit. The moldings are fair. Although Alan kits are “short run”, they definitely qualify as being at the top end of “short run” kits, or even the lower end of “mainstream” producers’ kits. While not of “Big T” quality perhaps, with a little care a very attractive miniature can be made from this kit. Tracks are individual-link construction, a big advance over the “rubber band” tracks seen in some “major” producers’ kits. Alan’s 1/35 Panzer II Ausf. C is molded in light gray plastic and includes nicely molded leaf spring suspension units, a photo-etched muffler screen, and markings for 4 vehicles.

This is a neat early war German tank. It should find its way into a lot of collections of German AFVs. I purchased my kit on sale at Hobbytown in Seattle,Wa. When I built this kit, as far as I can remember it went together very nicely. You can still see it spring up on the internet, and still a great bargain.