Great video! That "framework" on the fender is a mounting for the machine gun for anti-aircraft defence. The crew would dismount the coaxial machine gun and mount it on that arm, so a crewman could stand next to the tank and fire up at aircraft. That's clearly ridiculous so you can imagine why that is not a thing on any other tanks. The wheels are indeed three pressed rubber pieces so you have that double-seam which is why the kit's wheels are made this way. The huge gaps around those main engine hatches are correct.
Thank you. Great job. Not only nice kit review, build tutorial, but I profit every time watching your movies and learning how to improve my skills. Carry on, please with the same spirit. Cheers, Greg
Hello mate, new subscriber here 👋 I went through IBG's Pz.II a/2 few months ago, inspired a bit by Panzermeister36 here on YT...and I went almost the same way as you did 😁 some studying at the beginning, Aber guns, same pain with superstructure joints (had no AM hooks, so I had to keep their bases on), excellent QuickTracks, and own chains for smoke dischargers, much better than those PE parts from the kit. The only thing i also changed, was adding of spare Aber handles for tool clamps. I am glad I finished this one...and had similar feeling - the build was quite challenging fun...but it would be more fun if there would be more patience and love to some details from the manufacturer's side too. Looking forward to see the painting and weathering, once you went through the worse...have fun 👍
That’s awesome. Interesting you say about the tool clamps because I had then in my cart to buy….After a particularly frustrating bench session I figured I didn’t want to drop another cent on the model and deleted them…😂😂 So it seems we were even closer than you thought to building an identical model 🍻 Thanks for you support 🙏
This kit certainly tested your enthusiasm for these early Panzers but you got it over the line so kudos to you. Looking forward to the paint now. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much. It’s amazing how the love started coming back once I started getting paint down. Looking for to sharing that with you in a couple of weeks 🥳
Please don’t let me turn you off the kit. There are some positives…and if you know what to look out for that’s half the battle. Thanks for you comments 🙏
In my not-so-humble opinion extra thin cement is a suboptimal choice for gluing movable parts. Whereas capillary action is usually your fried, it's your worst enemy in that case. I'd recommend the classic modelling glue like Tamiya "white" or Revell Contacta Pro, sparingly applied with a toothpick. Works quite well for me and the parts stay movable.
Hi Clayton, that does look to have beeb a bit of a challenge to build at certain points, not certain when this kit was molded but kits manufactured since the early 2000's should almost be perfect in all aspects including the instructions, looking forward to the next update, best regards from a Kiwi living in Melbourne 👍👍👍👍
Challenging kit. Don't think I'll be adding it to my list. You did well in overcoming its challenges. Regarding the tube frame mounted to the side of the vehicle, you are correct, it was an external mount for an AA mg. The frame was carried by various models of the Panzers before finally being discontinued with the Panzer IV Ausf. D.
The tracks are only wrong on the Ausf.a series kits. The Ausf.b series used proper Pz II tracks (as you can see, they use the standard Pz II drive sprocket).
Not a bad looking kit, but the problems you outline during the build are enough to put me off, Dragon and Takom make a great Panzer 1 and a 2 I think, not sure about the 2 but I built the Takom Pz 1 and the Tamiya Pz 2, both nice kits and no problems building them.
Hey John. I think those Takom Panzer 1s could be one of the nicest kits I’ve built. Incredible value for money too… Thing is, this IBG kit is the Ausf b, which is quite unique…
Well…there were a few positives and I got a reasonable looking model out of it…but yeah, there’s a lot of work in it to bring it up to standard. Thanks for your comments 🍻🙏🍀
Great video! That "framework" on the fender is a mounting for the machine gun for anti-aircraft defence. The crew would dismount the coaxial machine gun and mount it on that arm, so a crewman could stand next to the tank and fire up at aircraft. That's clearly ridiculous so you can imagine why that is not a thing on any other tanks. The wheels are indeed three pressed rubber pieces so you have that double-seam which is why the kit's wheels are made this way. The huge gaps around those main engine hatches are correct.
Fantastic - thanks for the info. Greatly appreciated
Thanks for taking the time to up load a very enjoyable video . Regards Gav.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you
Great work Clayton, very helpful video
Thank you as always mate 🙏 Appreciate your support
Thank you. Great job. Not only nice kit review, build tutorial, but I profit every time watching your movies and learning how to improve my skills. Carry on, please with the same spirit. Cheers, Greg
Thanks Greg. Appreciate you being part of the community we are building here. 🙏🍺☝️🍀
Hello mate, new subscriber here 👋 I went through IBG's Pz.II a/2 few months ago, inspired a bit by Panzermeister36 here on YT...and I went almost the same way as you did 😁 some studying at the beginning, Aber guns, same pain with superstructure joints (had no AM hooks, so I had to keep their bases on), excellent QuickTracks, and own chains for smoke dischargers, much better than those PE parts from the kit. The only thing i also changed, was adding of spare Aber handles for tool clamps.
I am glad I finished this one...and had similar feeling - the build was quite challenging fun...but it would be more fun if there would be more patience and love to some details from the manufacturer's side too.
Looking forward to see the painting and weathering, once you went through the worse...have fun 👍
That’s awesome. Interesting you say about the tool clamps because I had then in my cart to buy….After a particularly frustrating bench session I figured I didn’t want to drop another cent on the model and deleted them…😂😂 So it seems we were even closer than you thought to building an identical model 🍻 Thanks for you support 🙏
Great graphics, audio, content and camera work. Lots of good work well presented. Thanks
Thank you 🙏 so pleased you enjoyed it !
This kit certainly tested your enthusiasm for these early Panzers but you got it over the line so kudos to you.
Looking forward to the paint now.
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much. It’s amazing how the love started coming back once I started getting paint down. Looking for to sharing that with you in a couple of weeks 🥳
Great build review! I’ve been really disappointed to see reviews of this kit. It’s such a great subject, I was hoping for so much more.
Please don’t let me turn you off the kit. There are some positives…and if you know what to look out for that’s half the battle. Thanks for you comments 🙏
In my not-so-humble opinion extra thin cement is a suboptimal choice for gluing movable parts. Whereas capillary action is usually your fried, it's your worst enemy in that case. I'd recommend the classic modelling glue like Tamiya "white" or Revell Contacta Pro, sparingly applied with a toothpick. Works quite well for me and the parts stay movable.
You make a very good point! Although those connection points are so tiny…Definitely worth a try though. Appreciate your comments 👋
Hi Clayton, that does look to have beeb a bit of a challenge to build at certain points, not certain when this kit was molded but kits manufactured since the early 2000's should almost be perfect in all aspects including the instructions, looking forward to the next update, best regards from a Kiwi living in Melbourne 👍👍👍👍
Hello my Aussie/Kiwi friend 👋 This is a 2023 release… so yeah, you’d hope for better! Appreciate your comments and thanks for watching 🙏
Challenging kit. Don't think I'll be adding it to my list. You did well in overcoming its challenges. Regarding the tube frame mounted to the side of the vehicle, you are correct, it was an external mount for an AA mg. The frame was carried by various models of the Panzers before finally being discontinued with the Panzer IV Ausf. D.
Wealth of knowledge! Thank you 🙏
These early panzer IIs had the tracks of the panzer I.
So the tracks in the kit are incorrect are they? Am I adding another strike against this one?
The tracks are only wrong on the Ausf.a series kits. The Ausf.b series used proper Pz II tracks (as you can see, they use the standard Pz II drive sprocket).
Thought that was the case but I am always hesitant to speak in absolutes so as not to get caught out :) @@Panzermeister36
Not a bad looking kit, but the problems you outline during the build are enough to put me off, Dragon and Takom make a great Panzer 1 and a 2 I think, not sure about the 2 but I built the Takom Pz 1 and the Tamiya Pz 2, both nice kits and no problems building them.
Hey John. I think those Takom Panzer 1s could be one of the nicest kits I’ve built. Incredible value for money too… Thing is, this IBG kit is the Ausf b, which is quite unique…
if only there are conversion sets for the tamiya panzer II as an alternative!
Hmmm…that would be a big conversion set! 😂
Well, this kit doesn't look like a good engineering job.
Well…there were a few positives and I got a reasonable looking model out of it…but yeah, there’s a lot of work in it to bring it up to standard.
Thanks for your comments 🍻🙏🍀