Detailing The Panzer II Part 4. Converting to Ausf F

[toyrific]

Hi Guys

I know many of you prefer the later versions on the Panzer II. Here is how you can convert the Dragon model Panzer II Ausf B to the latest versions Ausf 'F' using this hull design at a very reasonable cost using the existing parts from the model. I estimate your cost using only the parts I offer to be around $200.00. This price does not include all my upgraded tools and accessories.

I have not covered in detail the tools and accessories I offer in this post. For detailed pictures of these parts see my posts Panzer II Parts 1 and 2. Part 3 will be done later which will cover Antennas and Command Tank Antenna Arrays, plus some other parts.

For pricing and production information go to the Maintenance Battalion Forum.

As the armor plate modifications can be done with flat plastic sheet I feel there is no need to go to the expense of laser cutting these parts. It is very simple and can be done by anyone with modeling skills. I am offering the few cast parts needed for the conversion. You can select which ones you need. Some parts you may wish to make yourself so I am offering them in different sets.


Here is a detailed description of how to do the conversion.

Samples of my conversion. Note the only major part I have not upgraded is the rear idler wheel. This is covered later in the post.












The Cupola. This is the most expensive parts for the conversion and you have several options to select. Options are with metal periscope, resin cast periscopes or periscopes cast into the main body of the cupola.


Cupola detail




Real Cupola


Large right side stowage bin. This can be made from flat plastic and I offer the hinges and hatches for detailing. Plastic cut pattern will come with detailing parts.






Real Stowage Box


Tow Ropes and Spare Road Wheel Carrier. This had several configurations. With one or two tow ropes, with or without spare wheel carrier. All versions will be available.




Jerry Can Brackets. These were not fitted to all Ausf 'F's and there are a few different designs. This is the easiest one to produce. I do offer the parts, but you can easily make it yourself.


Real Jerry Can Brackets. Note here that there are brackets for a OVM as listed in my reference book. I have not been able to figure out what a OVM is, can someone help.


Smoke Candle Box and Exhaust.
The smoke candle box will be a hollow resin casting with metal brackets and fixtures without any interior detail. The exhaust shown is made using parts from the original exhaust with a resin cast exhaust box. This you can easily make yourself with my resin cast box. I will also offer my own complete kit with resin cast box, cast hoses and photo-etch heat shield and brackets.




Real Smoke Candle Box and Exhaust.


Notek Rear Convoy Light and Tow Bracket Pin.


Engine Deck Hinges.
These will be cast in white metal and come with dummy cone head bolts.


Now for the how to do it.
Front hull preparation.






Fitting the front right corner armor.


Modifying the driver vision slit.


Fitting the front armor. Not the hinges on the main hatch are not the correct design. Correct hinges and tow cable hooks will be available as a set. A plastic cut pattern for the armor and hatches will come with the set.






Driver Visor and Dummy Visor


Turret preparation.








Visor Conversion Kit. Resin cast parts.


Rear Idler Wheel. This is a part I have not made. You can modify the original part to look almost like the real one by removing the longer ribs and making a domed wheel hub to fit over the existing hub. See picture of real one.


Don't drop your Panzer II off your work bench as I did. Luckily not to much damage and easily repaired.


That's it guys, have fun and don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Regards
Mike

[inxsone]

Nice upgrades Mike!!!
That is the variant I prefer myself next to the "Luchs"...

[Jim Fowler]

Yes, Mike you have done an excellent job - I truely hope Dragon offers this as a kit and you get the opportunity to market these upgrades.

Best Wishes,

Jim

[Nordic Warrior]

This looks great!
Any chance you will also be supplying spare track links that most Ausf. F's carried on the front?

keep up the good work!

[Falckner]

Hi Mike
Great improvement and some nice
details you add.

Sure hope they will realese it as a kit in
the future.

[Jim Fowler]

Mike, Are you putting any detail into the underside of the rear smoke candle box (tubes, release bar, and chains)? If so, then I would like to know as that would also make it a great part for the rear of a Panzer IV, ausf F2 and earlier. ANd thus, I want one for that.

And, if you make those details, they are inturn applicable to the Panzer III as well....

Might as well maximize the marketability of your work....

Please let me (us) know

PS - Where is PART 3 - did I miss its posting?

Thanks for the effort!

Jim

[Sixth Vanguard]

I echo that the Ausf F is more to my liking than the Ausf B, much more versatile in my book.
Great set of upgrades and the details on doing the upgrade are excellent. Thanks MIke :!:

[Sixth Vanguard]

Originally Posted by toyrific

... Note here that there are brackets for a OVM as listed in my reference book. I have not been able to figure out what a OVM is, can someone help.

Mike, I just read about "OVM" the other day. It simply means "On Vehicle Material" so those brackets could be for anything that would be carried on the outside of the tank.

[toyrific]

Hi Jim

I may make the interior for the smoke candle box, just depends if there is enough interest in the parts as they are. Part 3 will come later covering antennas and command tank antenna arrays.

Reese, thanks for the OVM info, these brackets on the real one are correct for the start crank and S shackle, but the configuration is wrong and the parts will not fit. Have to study this more.

Regards
Mike

[gimpy117]

dropped off the bench or sabotage? Gotta prevent the allies from getting they're hands on your sweet ride. :-P

Anyways, Good model thankful you were able to repair it!