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Passion Models
Panzer II Ausf.A-C Idler wheels
Passion Models Set P35-026
1:35th Scale

Review by Terry Ashley

TamiyaDragon
The Set:
Passion Models of Japan have released this set of replacement resin/metal idler wheels designed for the Tamiya German Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf.A/B/C (Sd.Kfz.121) French Campaign (Kit #35292) to address the undersized idler supplied in that kit. The idlers can also be used on the Cyberhobby/Dragon Pz.Kpfw.II Ausf.C mit Zusatzpanzer (kit #6432) to rectify the oversized idler in that kit with very little work.

The set consists of 2 idler wheels cast in light cream resin and 2 brass rings for the idler lip with the only cleanup needed being the removal of the small casting block and opening out the grease nipple holes in the idler rims.

Two resin and brass parts for the idlers
Passion Models

The diameter of the idlers matches the 1:35 plans in the recent Panzer Tracts No.2-1 Panzerkampwagen II Ausf.A-C book perfectly and have clean crisp details for the idler ribs and hub. The rims also include the holes for accessing the lubrication point but you will have add the grease nipple itself as these are not present.

The back of the idler also has the rib detail included and is designed to accept the Tamiya kit poly cap and inner idler cap (part #A4) which holds the poly cap in place, this makes fitting the resin idler to the kit as straightforward as the kit idler.

Back of the resin idler with kit poly cap and bracket attached
Passion Models

Assembling of the idler is again straightforward with the brass lip ring sitting neatly on the outer ribs and you secure this with a small dab of cyanoacrylate on each rib/ring join for a secure fit, you then just push the idler onto the kit axle the same as with the kit idler.

Assembled idler wheels on the Tamiya kit.
Passion Models

While the resin idlers rectify the idler diameter on the kit it also raises another issue in that the link and length track in the kit is designed to fit around an idler 1mm smaller in diameter than the correctly sized resin idler and you may have fit problems mating the two ends of the track together? Not joining the links around the idler tightly together may space these out enough to extend around the larger idler and test fitting will determine what may be needed.

The resin idlers will also fit to the Cyberhobby/Dragon Pz.Kpfw.II Ausf.C mit Zusatzpanzer (kit #6432) but you will have to add a plug into the poly cap recess in the back of the resin idler and drill a hole for the Cyberhobby/Dragon kit axle stub for a good fit.
Conversely you will need to shorten the kit track a little to fit around the resin idler which is 1mm smaller in diameter than the oversized kit idler.

Conclusion:
These are a nicely produced set of Panzer II Ausf.A-C idlers from Passion Models that have excellent rib and hub detail along with the brass rim lip and more importantly are the correct diameter to correct both the Cyberhobby/Dragon and Tamiya Panzer II Ausf.C kits

The only resulting issue which isn't really the fault of the idlers is the fit of the kit tracks which are designed to go around incorrectly sized idlers in the respective kits.

Highly recommended

Also see the Panzer II Subject page for other reviews of related sets.

References:
Panzer Tracts No.2-1
Panzerkampwagen II Ausf.A-C

ISBN 0-99815382-2-3
Book
Pz.Kpfw.I/Pz.Kpfw.II and variants
Achtung Panzer No.7

Dainippon Kaiga Co.,Ltd..
book
Panzers I and II and their Variants:
From Reichswehr to Wehrmacht

by Walter J. Spielberger
ISBN: 0764326240
bookbook
Covers show original German Language edition and
re-issued English Schiffer Publications edition

Thanks to Passion Models Japan for the review set.




Page created November 19, 2008