Panzerkampfwagen II Ausführung j (VK 16.01)

Panzerkampfwagen II Ausführung j (VK 16.01)

   Panzer II Ausf J. was one of the lots of models of the Panzer II. The tank was classified as a "heavy reconnaissance tank" due to its armor (80mm front, 50mm sides). The tank was armed with a 20mm KwK 38 L/55 cannon and an Mg-34. Because of weight and improper guns, the tank wasn't very effective. It could survive from tough situations but was unable to penetrate most of the enemy armors.

   22 vehicles were produced in 1942 and deployed in The Battle of Kursk in 1943. One of the survivor vehicles was modified to use it as a recovery vehicle and named as bergepanzer II Ausf. J.


   I have a kit from Ark Models. There are, let's say "minor", problems on the kit, for example, there are molding malformations on turret and side hatches and requires putty.

   I am planning to make the 3-color camouflage version of the tank. Here some reference photos:

Photograph 1.

            

Photograph 2.

   I've started building a bit. At the very beginning I intended to paint it gray but then, I removed the paint.

Photograph 3. The turret malformation 

   Here some ideas for figure configuration:

photograph 4. 

Photograph 5.

   Likely, I am going to make a vignette, and most probably the order of the figures will be like in photograph 4.

SOURCES:
1. http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/nazi_germany/panzer-ii-ausf-j/

2. http://panzerserra.blogspot.com/search/label/Panzer%20II%20Ausf%20J

3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzer_II