I recently saw some pics on Facebook of someones builf of Flyhawk’s 1/72 Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf L “Luchs” and tought it was a neat looking kit.
I did some research on the internet about the company Flyhawk and there kits as i never heard of them. Google helped me finding there website: www.flyhawkmodel.com Its a Chinees company wich mainly produces 1/72 armor and smaller scale ship models.
I saw the kit wasn’t to expensive so tought why not give it a go. I got myself Flyhawks 1/72 Pz.Kpfw II Ausf L “Luchs” Release Special Anniversary Edition (kitnr: FH3002S)
I knew this GB was comming up and as i never participated in a GB i tought why not Strike 2 birds with one stone.
So here is my first participation in a GB with a kit from a for me new manufacturer and a subject i am not formiliar with as i normaly build airplanes. This all considerd it is probably gonna turn into a succes story.
I will try keeping you guys posted of my build in this Tread. But first some more about the buildsubject:
The Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf L “Luchs”
Here is a short introduction of the Panzer II:
In 1934, delays in the design and production of the Panzer III and Panzer IV medium tanks were became a litte bit of a propblem, The Panzer I had no proper armament against enemy tanks. So a design request for a “gapfille” was made to Krupp, MAN, Henschel, and Daimler-Benz. They started with design work in january 1934 on what became the Panzer II. The first experimental model was ready in February 1935. The final design was based on the Panzer I, but larger, and with a turret mounting a 20 mm anti-tank gun. Production began in 1935, but it took another eighteen months before the first tanks were delivered.
Here is some more information about the Specific model, also from Wikipedia:
The Ausf L. was the last version of the Panzer II, it was designed as a light reconnaissance tan.,Tthe Ausf. L, was the only Panzer II design with the Schachtellaufwerk overlapping/interleaved road wheels and "slack track" configuration for good cross country ability’. The initial plan was for 800 vechicles but with 100 being built from September 1943 to January 1944 the production was stopped. in addition to the conversion of the four Ausf. M tanks. Originally given the experimental designation VK 1303, it was adopted under the alternate name Panzerspähwagen II and given the popular name Luchs ("Lynx"). The Luchs was larger than the Ausf. G in most dimensions (length 4.63 m; height 2.21 m; width 2.48 m). It was equipped with a six speed transmission (plus reverse), and could reach a speed of 60 km/h (37 mph) with a range of 290 km (180 mi). The FuG12 and FuG Spr a radios were installed, while 330 rounds of 20 mm and 2,250 rounds of 7.92 mm ammunition were carried. Total vehicle weight was 11.8 tonnes.
These vehicles served on both the eastern and western front with the Wehrmacht and Waffen SS mostly in a reconnaissance rol with mixed result. There were some problems with reliabilityand by the time the vehicle reached the frontline units the concept of a light reconnaissance tank was already outdated.
The Kit
The boxart of the kit looks pretty neat with a clear image of the Vehicle.
IMG_5449-1024px-cp by Leon Vercruijsse, on FlickrWhen opening the box you find a full box with nice separately packed sprue’s, there is some PE in the box aswell to give the kit some extra detail. There is also a separately packed crew figure but by the looks at that I think it is going to need some extra clean up.
IMG_5452-1024px-cp by Leon Vercruijsse, on Flickr
IMG_5453-1024px-cp by Leon Vercruijsse, on FlickrThe instructions look verry clear and informative. Color call outs are for Mr hobby/Mr Color and Tamiya paints
IMG_5455-1024px-cp by Leon Vercruijsse, on Flickr
IMG_5457-1024px-cp by Leon Vercruijsse, on FlickrSome decals are included for a vehicle with number 4121
In the instructions isn’t a lot of information about the specific vehicle. On the outside of the box there is a little notification that this particular vehicle took part in the Normandy campaign with the 9th Panzer Division. But that’s about everything that’s mentioned in the instructions about this vehicle.
Some more info about the 9th Panzer Division during its stay in France in 1944 from Wikipedia:
The division was subsequently sent to Nimes, France to rebuild, as many divisions mauled on the Eastern Front were On 1 May 1944 it absorbed men and tanks of the 155th Reserve Panzer Division to return to its full strength. During this absorption it received 31 Panzer IIIs, 74 Panzer IVs, 20 assault guns, 15 Panther tanks and 200 other vehicles The division then conducted training exercises up until June of that year. It was reassigned to an area on the Rhone River for a time It was in better shape than many of the other divisions in the area, which were refitting, forming, or lacked transportation to move effectively
Following the D-Day landings conducted by the Allies, the division was rushed to northern France to participate in the Battle of Normandy. At this time, its strength was up to 150 tanks and assault guns and 12,768 men. The division was sent to Avignon, before being sent to support the collapsing 7th Army in Normandy. The division arrived just as the army was encircled by American, French, British, and Canadian forces at Falaise. In the subsequent furious battle, the division was almost completely destroyed escaping the Falaise Pocket By late August its strength was at around 1,500 organized in one infantry battalion, one artillery battalion, and 5 tanks However, it continued to cover the escape of Army Group G from Normandy
