1/35 Panzer II and variants

[zak]

I think next may be a self propelled gun on the Panzer II chassis. This will be the Tamiya Wespe.

[zak]

The Wespe had a crew of 5, presumably a driver and 4 artillery types. The Tamiya kit comes with the 4 artillery men, so I have added a spare as a driver. He is from a Dragon kit and look a bit of a bruiser when compared to the Tamiya figures. May have been a bit of a crush in the driving compartment.

[chriswil42]

Aka Jaws.

[councilman]

You don't want the big guy in between you and the hatch... Fire Fire!!
Good stuff Zak.
Andy.

[MSea]

The center on looks like a drum majorette - don't think much to the shinny spangly outfit

[councilman]

The center on looks like a drum majorette - don't think much to the shinny spangly outfit

He's called 'Camp Freddy'.
Andy.

[zak]

Here is the Wespe, from the Italian Front.
I still need to add some camouflage and a bit more weathering.

The last picture shows this Wespe about to have the gun removed.
Just look at the mud.

[cph64]

The tank in the bottom left of the last photo looks like a captured British one from it's suspension. One of the Cruisers I think. You should have muddied the Wespe up like the photo but still a great looking model.

[zak]

The tank in the bottom left of the last photo looks like a captured British one from it's suspension. One of the Cruisers I think. You should have muddied the Wespe up like the photo but still a great looking model.

I may yet do that, I will have to but a half track with a crane on the back for a diorama.

[chriswil42]

Looking great Dave. Your idea of a diorama from the photo should be good.

[Bigkev]

The tank in the bottom left of the last photo looks like a captured British one from it's suspension. One of the Cruisers I think. You should have muddied the Wespe up like the photo but still a great looking model.

I may yet do that, I will have to but a half track with a crane on the back for a diorama.

Hi Zak,
I seem to recall you have re-created the photographic scene before on differing models. A great skill to have.
Cheers,
Bigkev

[zak]

Here is the next one, this is the Tamiya Ausf F/G, an old kit but I will add to the variants, this comes with some Africa Korps figures as well, not bad for £7.99. Elastic band tracks though.

[Bigkev]

Hi Zak,
I've made one of these way back.
A nice little kit for the time, though probably not quite the finesse of todays examples, such as rubber tracks then as opposed the track and link of today.
Never mind, I'm sure in your hands it will look great, in about 30 hours or so......
Bigkev

[zak]

Like you, I built one may years ago, I will try to make a better job of this one.

Why they label it F/G I have no idea?
The G had a completely different wheel arrangement.

The F was the final model of the normal II series and 524 were produced from 1941-1942.
A lot of the delayed production was used as a chassis to mount various guns on.
The Tamiya sheet says it had a crew of 5 - wrong, it was three surely.

As far as I can make out this was first produced in 1971, the version I have actually has an opening for a switch and a place for batteries.

Considering the age the parts are crisp, they do feel a bit clunky compared to more modern offerings.

[councilman]

Here is the Wespe, from the Italian Front.
I still need to add some camouflage and a bit more weathering.

The last picture shows this Wespe about to have the gun removed.
Just look at the mud.

Good looking vehicle. Well done.
Andy.