The final producion version of the PzKpfw II, the L model was also known as the "Luchs" ("Lynx"). About 100 were produced from 1943 to 1944. It saw service on both the Eastern and Western fronts.
This 25mm metal reproduction comes from RAFM, and sports the standard
three-color scheme of dark yellow, olive green and red-brown.
One of the best (and certainly one of the most famous) tanks of WWII was the Panzerkampfwagen V Panther. Almost 6000 vehicles of three versions (D, A, and G) were completed between 1943 and 1945.
This NITTO 1/76 plastic model of the G version (the final production model) sports the "Ambush Scheme" camouflage pattern without zimmerit, as seen on vehicles towards the end of the war. This Panther also bears markings of the 116th Panzerdivision.
This NITTO model of the PzKpfw VIe Tiger tank was converted to represent
a late model vehicle. I omitted the Feifel air cleaning system (the hoses
that lie across the rear decking) and replaced the rubber-rimmed wheels
from the original model with the steel-rimmed wheels from the AIRFIX kit
(which was otherwise somewhat lacking). Nowadays, late model Tigers are
available from REVELL, DRAGON, FUJIMI, and HASEGAWA
This plastic 1/72 model of the King Tiger is made by ITALERI (re-issued ESCI kits). It represents the version outfitted with the Henschel turret. One criticism of the kit is the simplified wheel layout and track detail
A total of 489 vehicles were produced from January 1944 to March 1945. This model has the late war "assault" color scheme.
Although a failed design, the superheavy Maus has captured the imagination of many armor enthusiasts. Weighing 180 tons, it is one of the heaviest tank designs ever made. Various sources (both in print and online) differ in their accounts of the Maus's service record. Most indicate that only two prototypes were completed, but destroyed at the testing site. A few claim that the prototypes actually were sent into battle, but either broke down or were destroyed before engaging the enemy.
This PEGASUS 1/72 plastic kit is as large as a 1/35 kit of a light tank, thereby bridging the size gap between these two scales. The kit went together quite well, no major problems. Just make sure you pay attention to the ID numbers of all the suspension parts (keep port separate from starboard!). Instructions are well illustrated and a few Balkenkreuz decals are included; I chose to omit any markings. One nice feature is the texturing of the hull - looks like a chunk of cement, which is probably accurate for this vehicle. I assembled this outtadabox, all I added were the two antennae (from stretched vinyl track sprue). The kit did not have any figures, and for a change I decided not to add any. The tracks are one-pice vinyl parts whose ends I joined with superglue. I doubt the Maus carried a great amount of stowage or any national markings, since it was probably sent to the front in haste, if ever.
The Maus prototypes had a crude three tone camouflage scheme; I'm not sure if it was airbrushed or painted in streaky brush strokes.