Tamiya 35299 - 1:35 Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf.C Polish Campaign

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the German Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf.C (Sd.Kfz.121) “Polish Campaign”

Tamiya 35299 reproduces the German light tank Pz.Kpfw. II in the Ausf.C variant, in its 1939 Polish campaign version. In the early phase of WWII, when sufficient numbers of the heavier Panzer III were not yet available, it was the compact Panzer II that formed one of the main elements of German armoured forces.

The model is made from new tooling, capturing the vehicle's hull, turret and armament in their September 1939 configuration. The turret and hull are moulded separately, and the exhaust cover is reproduced using photo-etched parts. The set of four figures allows a detailed scene to be built.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with separately moulded turret and hull
• 20 mm cannon and vehicle equipment
• Photo-etched parts (exhaust cover)
• Mixed tracks (individual links and longer lengths, with sag effect)
• Four figures: driver and three infantrymen
• Decal sheet for three marking options from the 1939 Polish campaign
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35299
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 138 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (mixed tracks, photo-etched parts, figures)

Note: This kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

Thanks to the excellent part fit typical of Tamiya, the model is approachable even for less experienced builders. The mixed tracks combine quick assembly of longer lengths on the straight runs with individual links on the curves, allowing their sag to be faithfully reproduced. The photo-etched exhaust cover is best attached with cyanoacrylate glue.

For painting, a uniform German grey (Panzergrau) is recommended, matching all the Polish campaign options. Military vehicles are usually finished with a matt varnish, and the detail and recesses benefit from a wash and dry-brushing.

Tools you'll need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Polystyrene cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Cyanoacrylate glue for the photo-etched and metal parts
• Brushes of various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Optionally: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf.C:

The Panzerkampfwagen II was developed in the 1930s to give the German army a more capable combat tank than the earlier Panzer I. The vehicle was armed with a 20 mm automatic cannon and a coaxial machine gun. The Ausf.C variant, with its improved suspension on five large-diameter road wheels, was the most numerous of the early production series.

During the Polish campaign in September 1939, the Panzer II, alongside the Panzer I, formed the basis of the German armoured divisions. Despite its thin armour and small-calibre cannon, it played an important role in Blitzkrieg operations. As heavier tanks appeared, it was gradually reassigned to reconnaissance duties.

Original specifications (Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf.C):

• Length: approx. 4.81 m
• Width: approx. 2.22 m
• Height: approx. 1.99 m
• Combat weight: approx. 8.9 t
• Crew: 3
• Main armament: 20 mm KwK 30 L/55 automatic cannon
• Secondary armament: 7.92 mm MG34 machine gun
• Powerplant: Maybach HL 62 TR petrol engine, approx. 140 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 40 km/h
• Range: approx. 200 km
• Armour: 5–14.5 mm

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. The company initially traded in timber, but from the late 1940s it produced wooden models, and in 1960 it launched its first plastic assembly kit. Two years later it introduced its iconic 1:35 scale tank, which set the worldwide standard scale for military modelling. The brand is renowned for exceptionally precise injection moulds and excellent part fit, which is why its kits are favoured by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this model belongs, comprises hundreds of items and is considered one of the most comprehensive 1:35 catalogues of military vehicles in the world. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling supplies: paints, glues, tools and brushes.