Panzer II Ausf L "Luchs" Review by Steve Palffy (Tasca 1/35)

Panzer II Ausf. L Luchs
Construction Review

by Steve Palffy

images by Brett Green

S u m m a r y
Stock Number and Description	Tasca Item No. 35-001 - Panzer II Ausf. L Luchs (Late Version)
Media and Contents:	244 parts in light tan injection moulded styrene; two lengths of flexible vinyl track; photo-etched fret; markings for 3 vehicles
Price:	USD$49.47 from Squadron.com
Scale:	1/35
Review Type:	First Look
Advantages:	Good detail; turret interior included; quick build; photo etch and figure included; no need for aftermarket; working suspension; accurate according to selected references (Kagero Publications Panzer IIc and Luchs)
Disadvantages:	Some warpage on lower hull (easily bent back into shape); track has holes that require filling.
Recommendation:	Highly Recommended

Built and Reviewed by Steve Palffy

Tasca's 1/35 scale Luchs is available online from Squadron.com

FirstBuild

Tasca is a new name in the hobby industry, but this company does have previous form. Its most recent incarnation was "Bego". They released a very nice Kubelwagen some years ago which was later re-boxed by both Hasegawa and Dragon.

Tasca's brand new 1/35 scale Panzer II Ausf. L Luchs (Lynx) is a must for light tank freaks and those just wanting to build a nice model straight from the box.

This model is a cut above the earlier release, with terrific detail, a turret interior and working suspension. I don't mean poseable - the torsion bars flex, the wheels turn and the vehicle will be able to be displayed in many realistic stances.

The flexible tracks are the only limiting factor for the suspension, but it is my guess that we won't be waiting for long before a selection of workable individual track links will be available from a number of sources. If you are using the flexible tracks, the top run can be tacked to the roadwheels in order to simulate "droop".

The model is quite accurate compared to plans in the Kagero book, Panzer IIc and Luchs. The timing for this recent book is perfect, and it will be an ideal reference for Tasca's kit.

Some of the hull parts were warped, but they are easily bent back into shape. The track also has some holes that need to be filled. I used superglue for this little job.

A nice touch in the instructions is that they show the location of headlight wiring. I added mine using lead wire, but stretched sprue would be equally appropriate.

The spare track sections are beautifully detailed, and can be displayed in a rack on the front of the vehicle.

Two different styles of hatches are supplied for the turret

Installation of the jack mounting brackets is a little fiddly, but the result is very nice.

The rear deck screens included on the photo-etched fret is also very impressive, as are the jerry can racks. The gun barrels are hollowed out at the ends - more thoughtful details from Tasca,

Conclusion

This model has taken me around 9 hours in total to build to this stage, and is very nicely detailed without the assistance of expensive after-market accessories.

Things are certainly looking up for fans of small Panzers with the recent release of Tristar's Panzer Ia and now Tasca's terrific Luchs. This model is labelled "Late Version", so we will presumably soon see the early version with the spaced armour on the lower front hull and the "toast rack" idler section stowage.

Highly Recommended.

Purchased from Hobbylink Japan courtesy of the reviewer's credit card