Empress LK-II Light Panzer

 The Leichter Kampfwagen II (LK-II) was a German light tank developed towards the end of World War 1. Two prototypes were built by June 1918, but no more were completed  before the war ended. The design lived on, illegally exported to Sweden as the M/21-29, one remained in Swedish service until 1938.

There were two weapon options, one armed with an MG08/15, the other with a 57mm Maxim-Nordenfelt gun.

The Empress kit comprises four resin mouldings and a bag of white metal pieces (two gun options and the rear step). I think it was originally sold by Mark Copplestone.

The kit is easy to put together, the main issue is ensuring the track units are aligned - super glue is not very forgiving. There're two gun barrels. The one seems extremely short (the surviving M/21-29 has a short barrel and appears to have a short cannon rather than an MG. What is confusing is that there are photographs that show the short barrel but appear to have a barrel sticking out of the centre - this may be a plug inserted to keep dirt out).

The model was undercoated with Citadel Chaos Black, followed by Citadel Mechanicum Standard Grey. Unfortunately, the Mechanicum have changed their standard as the spray and the paint are noticeably different colours, so it needed to be given a full coat of the paint.

The tracks were painted with a wet mix of Vallejo Hull Red, Army Painter Black and Vallejo Black Grey. The tracks were dry brushed with Army Painter Stone Golem.

The Iron Cross decals were from the I94 WW1 German aircraft set and the numbers from another I94 set (20mm WW2 German numbers).

The windows were painted Humbrol White, followed by Citadel Warpstone Glow.

It needs to be weathered.