Hobby Master HG6403 | German Panzer II Ausf. C Pz.Rgt.8, 15th Panzer Division Libya 1941

In 1934 there were delays in design and production for what would be the Panzer III and IV
tanks. The temporary solution was the Panzer II or Panzerkampfwagen II (PzKpfw). It was a
larger version of the Panzer I but with a 20 mm anti-tank gun. The Panzer II was in
production from 1937 to 1943 and remained in service until 1945. The Ausf. C was the
most produced variant of the Panzer II. The Panzer II chassis was used to produce several
other types of tanks.

The Tank:
On November 1, 1940 the 15th Panzer Division was formed from the 33rd Infantry Division.
On January 18, 1941 the 8th Panzer Regiment was reassigned from the 10th Panzer
Division to the 15th Panzer Division. Between April 25 and May 6, 1941 the 8th Panzer
Regiment was shipped to North Africa in 3 convoys. The regiment was equipped with 146
tanks made up of 45 Panzer II’s, 71 Panzer III’s, 20 Panzer IV’s, 4 Kleine
Panzerbefehlswagen and 6 Panzerbefehlswagen. By May 28 1941 the regiment was fully
assembled at the front.


Specifications for the Panzer II Ausf. C (PzKpfw IIC)

In Service – 1936 to 1945

Type – Light Tank

Manufacturer – Alkett, Daimler-Benz, FAMO, Henschel, M.A.N, MIAG, Wegmann

Crew – 3 x (Commander/Gunner, Driver, Loader)

Power Plant – 1 x Maybach HL62TR, straight 6 cylinder, liquid cooled, gasoline engine,
produces 140 hp @2,600 rpm
Fuel – 170 liters

Performance
Gears Box – 6 x forward, 1 x reverse
Road Speed – 40 km/h
Range on Road – 200 km

Dimensions
Length – 4.81 m
Width – 2.22 m
Height – 1.99 m

Weight – 8,900 kg

Armament
1 x 2 cm KwK 30 L/55 main gun – 180 rounds
1 x 7.92 mm MG34 Machine Gun – 2,250 rounds

Armor – 10 mm to 14.5 mm