Hi All, recently just got a old tamiya king tiger kit. Relatively easy to build if OOB, however, this round I gonna add some details here and there (or maybe everywhere :lol: )
Here is the box art:
And the content of the kit:
Below is the picture of the kit, and notice on the old kit already has a tow rope mould on the hull (or body) of the tank.
In which, I used my battery operated “dremel” to remove the unwanted tow rope on the tank.
And here we are done with the removal plus some sanding:
Further to some research on the net for the king tiger reference pictures, I scratch-build the escape hatch holder with a evergreen plastic tube. While waiting for the glue to dry, use a tamiya tape to hold it on place:
Next, I apply the zimmerit using tamiya expoy putty:
After blending the putty, use water to assist in getting it onto the kit. With the help of the zimmerit applicator from AFV in which I got it from hlj some months back. While going thru some reference pictures, I love the damaged zimmerit like rags falling or peel off. Therefore, using a knife to remove at random and left parts give a “dangling but still on the skin look” feel.
Here is the pic of the applicator:
Here is some of the pictures of what I have done:
Overall picture of the work done, pretty slow as I do a some area at a time as the putty harden pretty fast.
Further update on my progress, I have replace the handles for the hatch covers with soft brass wire and a cable for the headlight. And also further patch up the remaining areas, and apply the exposed areas with Mr Surfacer 500.
Here is the progress:
And a overall picture shoot:
That’s about it!! Will update if any further work is done!!! Thanks!
WHat a pleasure it is to see someone take an “old vet” like this and bring it up to today’s standards! You know, sometimes with all the fancy-shmansy super-detailed kits of today, I feel like sometimes we forget what it truly means to “model”!
ANYHOO!–it all looks superb so far! I would suugest that you put a simulated periscope in that turret roof–it really would “accurize” the turret a lot with just this simple add-on.
You know, Tamiya has a indy-link kit for their King Tigers; I put it on my old Tiger II–the same as your kit here. I think you have to fiddle with the fit a little–I don’t think it fits properly over the original sprockets, and there’s an issue with the guide horns fitting in between the wheels–I think I had to open up the bottms of the wheels a little bit; I can’t remember exactly–but anyway, my point was that they really look 100% better than the lousy original kit tracks whick I think completely lack interior-side detail, don’t they?
Here’s a pic of mine–this is the same kit you’re working on, with the hard-link tracks added! It’s painted as a tank of the 506th as seen in Arnhem…
Ok, now for some update. add a chain in which I got it from M workshop and the ring looking holder was done using evergreen styrene rod.
And the outcome, I love it!
Also scratch-build the barrel cleaning rods and holder:
Use super-glue to get it stick to the side and presto!!!
Found some photo-etched clamps at MH Marina last weekend, and it is a great detail to add on for the cable holder (in which I remove the plastic holder by scrapping it away with a hobby knife). The pics tells a thousand words:
closer:
When I try to further put up the barrel, notice it is kinda loose for fittings. Therefore, add a evergreen stryene rod for support.
Currently, the paint job is about 85% done as I was interrupted when I about to do the camo painting. Guess will leave it to this coming weekend when I can start again. Feel free to leave any feedback and comments as usual. Thanks in advance.
Here is the rest of the pictures:
Regarding the paintwork, I used black for the pre-shade, using dark-yellow mixed with some white for the yellowish look. And dark gray for the exposed part where the zimmerit peeled off areas.
As for the camo, I will used green mixed with white again to highlight. The rest will come once I get the paintwork done this coming weekend.
Before I end, did some “sooting” at the barrel tip and exhaust pipe at it’s “tail”
Looking good…I admire you tackling this old kit and making it look so good…I am not so sure about the color you are using where the zimm peeled off…I would go for either a red primer color or a old steel w/ patina color…
You’ve put some great modelling into that kit. You should be proud.
Something that strikes me that although you add lots of detail, your soft brass handles really don’t match your other detailing. Often, the brass rod you are using is too think and not bent well. Perhaps look for some thinner guage wire and use needle nose pliers?
Now for some updates, Have done up the camo and decals on the turret side. Did a wash using 2 set of oil paints, they are Lamp black and burnt sienna being paint ratio of 1:4. Mix with thinner and apply it on the tank kit, refer to pics for the outcome. some close up:
Plus I did one side of the tracks with a rust colour pastel chalk mixed with thinner to apply. Here we go with the pics:
closer:
Any comments or feedback is appreciated. Thanks for viewing!
Regarding the brass handles, it is ok whether match or not. What matters is that you don’t need to spend too much and just used whatever you have is the best ideal approach in my case though.
I think the gun cleaning rods that you built are a bit too big; they appear to be out-of-scale. I would try making the with a smaller diameter rod.
The paint looks good, but watch that you don’t rust up those tracks TOO much–a tank in action would wear away a lot of that fresh, red rust pretty quickly, and it would probably be better to base-coat the tracks in a dark brown and then dry-brush a metallic steel over the top.
I agree with the Doogster…loose the rods… they are WAY out of scale. Don’t forget the tips were metallic (threaded) and you need to drill out the rod ends. Also, it looks like your wash as darkened the model too much, the dunkelgelb is taking on a “patina” that really shouldnt be there. Try mist coating the dark yellow with a lighter shade to correct this. And, as doog points out, rust on all metal track means the vehicle has been static for some time. Even a short run through some dirt, muck, dust or even down the hardball will shake most of it off after a few Klicks.
The headlamp wire is also too large. The wire diameter that you have chosen is almost equal to the MG 42 barrel diameter. I would definitely replace with a smaller guage wire, and check some references on the routing? I believe it should come straight back from the lamp to the receptacle on the hull deck:
Here is how your rods should look IMHO: (this is the Tamiya “early turret”):
The other suggestion I would have is to insure that all that “damaged” zimmerit has accompanying combat damage to other features of the tank. This stuff didn’t just “flake” off the vehicle, it was usually dislodged by impact (projectiles). IMHO, too many modelers go for the severe damage to zimmerit, but ignore the bullet holes and armor gouges that should go with it.
Sounds like your getting a lot of chefs in the kitchen here! LOL! I love what you are doing with this older kit! Your results are excellent! Take a good older basic kit, update with tried and true improvisation methods, and build what you desire. I am looking forward to seeing the final completion. A very inspiring build.
Thanks for the headup doogster! Will take note of the rust on the tracks. As for the rods and handles, that is what’s left in my tool box from my previous build (mostly gundam kits scale 1/100 and 1/60).
I am aware that the cleaning rods is way off size, however, I have super-glued the racks and them onto the racks. Should I remove them, may need a overhaul if I happen to “tear” the zimmerit on and around the rack area. Think I should leave them there as I have other backlogs to clear before my wife goes blah…
Thanks crockett, will do more research on damage zimmerit for my next few build. And nice build too!!!
Will keep that in mind for all my future armour build!! Thanks guys!
Thanks stikpusher, in fact at this stage, I am very happy how things turn out as I am trying new methods on “a trial and error basis” except those over-sized parts that I over-looked. Gosh!!!
The “chefs” as you characterize “us” are some pretty experienced German Armor guys. We all have benefited from constructive comments delivered in a positive non vindictive manner, the very fact that work is published for all too see and criticize is sort of the point of the forum.
Personally, I welcome as many “chefs” as we can get…I think the statement that Pat Hawkey made a few months back …“what happened to SCALE modeling” is relevant to your statement. If you want to paint the tank purple with yellow polka dots as (hypothetically)“you desire” perhaps the work should be posted in another forum subject class?
some close up: 
