johann morris Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 To be honest I didn't know where to post this so.... It started with a conversation regarding me making a tank, well I cant afford to buy one, so making would be the only way that I would get one. I have always fancied a Panzer and the thought was to build a wooden turret for displays but the plan went wrong. At a show I bought a magazine for a KWK30 2cm cannon and the die was cast, a Panzer 2. First I collected all the relevant information, sizes, pictures etc. and then my imagination got the better of me. Why not build one out of metal and then, if I got round to it, it could go on a chassis. So metal it was but what about the observation hatches, surly they would have to open and how does that mechanism work and what to sit on in the turret, and how are the guns held in place........................you get the idea. Anyway I hope that you like it so far. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rog8811 Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Fantastic! I know exactly where you are coming from when an simple idea enters your head and grows with the thinking, I once started to build a simple "birmingham piddler" for my son.... it ended up as a fully blown showmans tractor complete in every way. Keep us up to date with progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niels v Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 You might already know this site, but these guys build a Pz 2 J more or less from scratch https://www.facebook.com/Panzerfabrik/?fref=ts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johann morris Posted January 2, 2017 Author Share Posted January 2, 2017 A few more. The next part is to make the weapon mountings. I have an mg34 so there's no problem there but I do not own or have access to a KWK 30 2cm, so if anyone has one or has access to one I could do with some close up pictures of the breech and a few dimensions. All information gratefully received. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Child Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 (edited) Nice one! Have you contacted the Tank Museum archives? There are some really good intelligence reports on the Panzers which break out subassemblies and components with photos and drawings. If they've got one on the Panzer 2 it might help you a lot TTFN Lauren Edited January 3, 2017 by Lauren Child Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 like it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdmcm Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 That is fantastic, your internal mechanisms are works of art! Very inspiring! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johann morris Posted January 3, 2017 Author Share Posted January 3, 2017 Thanks for the positive comments, its very kind of you. Yes Niels I have seen the panzer fabric teams work, very cool but I could do with something a little closer to home. Does anyone know, are they as good on the inside as on the outside of the vehicle? I think a visit to the tank museum is in order, its a 6 hr drive from here but I could kill 2 birds with one stone and get some measurements for the chassis. How does one gain access to their archive? Regards, Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niels v Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 From their latest update it seems they are kitting the interior out as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretfixer Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Superb Work Johan! Well, necessity being the Mother of invention. As the current prices of genuine WWII Armour, are out of the range of us mere mortals! I guess yours is the only route to go! With all of this going on, I am left with the following observation: I wish I, had the luxury of time, to be able to tackle something like this! Well Done that Man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Child Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 I think a visit to the tank museum is in order, its a 6 hr drive from here but I could kill 2 birds with one stone and get some measurements for the chassis. How does one gain access to their archive? Regards, Jon Theres a website here - best bet is to email them first though, so you can get an understanding of what they've got. http://www.tankmuseum.org/schools-and-research/bovart52876 There are some good reports on the Panzer 3 & 4 turret and armament, and the Panzer 4 tank itself. I'd be surprised if there weren't equivalent reports on the Panzer 2, but you'll need to check on what they have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Great project! It would be good to see it driving agound. Best of luck with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazz Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 Looks brilliant, well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lssah2025 Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 Looking good.... The Pzr II Luchs that Randy did at Panzerfabrik is 1:1 scale and incredible..:-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johann morris Posted March 16, 2017 Author Share Posted March 16, 2017 Just a few pictures to show the progress made so far, its a lot more time consuming than one might think. The deact MG34 isn't the right one for an armoured vehicle but its what I have got, so will have to do for these pictures. I have started making the replica 2cm kwk main gun, so I am getting there........ slowly. Johann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johann morris Posted June 8, 2017 Author Share Posted June 8, 2017 Just finished the main armament 2cm KwK L55. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 excellent ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 I agree - absolutely fantastic work! I've got plenty of work for you in my shed when you're ready! James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johann morris Posted June 10, 2017 Author Share Posted June 10, 2017 I am glad someone likes it, the wife can't seem to get excited about it. The thought of actually earning money doing this sort of thing would be fantastic but I never seem to get to meet people that need this sort of work doing and living in Mid Wales, where men are men and sheep are nervous, the locals seem more interested in sheep than military vehicles. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secondshooter Posted June 10, 2017 Share Posted June 10, 2017 Stunning ! , for paid work why don't you send pictures of the equipment you have built to movie set makers ? the need all kinds of one off stuff made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoseman Posted June 10, 2017 Share Posted June 10, 2017 Stunning ! , for paid work why don't you send pictures of the equipment you have built to movie set makers ? the need all kinds of one off stuff made. I've a mate who is set decorator for some BIG movie companies and also another who is a prop and set builder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted June 10, 2017 Share Posted June 10, 2017 jon your work is very good and if you are looking to make money doing what you love then i'm sure word will get around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted June 10, 2017 Share Posted June 10, 2017 jon your work is very good and if you are looking to make money doing what you love then i'm sure word will get around. I can imagine a re-enactment group, or movie company would be a option to sell to. Just try to get the word out to the public via facebook and such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarland Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 Impressed would be an understatement.............!! I thought the details on the turret hatches was impressive. The 2cm L55 is something else! Whats the vehicle in the background in one of the shoots of the turret? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 Whats the vehicle in the background in one of the shoots of the turret? Looks like a Canadian C8A HUP or something very similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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