Berge Panzer Tiger (P) WIP Update 9/8

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

I’ve been working on this for my Service & Supply GB and since I’ve been keeping a photo record of my build I figured I 'd start a wip here in the armor sec.

Heres a shot of what I’ll be using for this build

Since only three of these were built units and markings are pretty limited. The one I’m doing will be from sPzJgAbt 653 in Italy 1944.

I started out with the road wheels and suspension. The only problem I encounterd was with parts F7-F6-F12 & F13. They all had raised pin marks these needed to be shaved off for a proper fit.

This kit includes a bunch of extra parts for the Elaphant and one whole sprue for a stug IV just for the remote MG! Since the hull is the same as the Elaphant the instructions call for some molded on parts to be shaved off and some mounting holes to be drilled.

Since I’m using the Voyager PE set I had to cut the fenders like shown to keep the hull the right height.

After glueing and some putty I set that aside to dry and started on the crew compartment superstuctuer. I drilled out the the vision slits and placed some plastic stock that was painted black on the inside about a 1/2 inch back .I think it helps to give it a little depth. I added the PE to the rear hatch and a new handle made of wire to the roof hatch.

Next came the zimmerit. I used Tamiya Poly Putty and the Tamiya zimm tool to apply the pattern. The trick to using the putty is go easy on the hardener. A little dab will do ya.

After letting the putty dry for a day I gave it a lite sanding and attatched the fenders, pretty easy till you come to the hinges. Man those things are tiny.

I’ll have more tommorow. But if you want to see were I’m at now in this build check out the Service & Supply GB.

2

I’m going to keep up with this build as I would like to build the Big Gun version of that tank. So with all that PE work, I will keep my eyes fixed on your build. The Zimm work came out realy well also the PE work.[tup]

3

Very nice work so far panzerguy, looking forward to more! [tup]

4

Man, you are goin’ to town on this one! Wicked cool, man!

I’ve wrestled those PE hinges–nearly kicked my butt!..[;)]

5

Hello panzerguy,

That is looking great. The fenders and zimm look good too. The work on the hinges is amazing. They look like the real deal with the addition of the springs.

Thanks for sharing,

6

That is some top-notch zimmerit there. You certainly make a case for do-it-yourself zimmerit.

7

Looks great so far! I myself like to do maintenence and recovery dioramas now and again, and ARVs are a must-have… I gave ‘em a lot of ribbin’, but our Battery and Battalion ALOC Wrenches were first-class fixers of heavy green stuff…

8

Looks great. And if I may… I can also join the “…those PE hinges really were a pain in the…” club[:D] You did really well with them[tup]

9

Great start Steve i built this one last year but without zim or PE but still a great kit, your zim looks spot on as does the fenders you will enjoy the chains and pullys they look very nice when finished (unless you used the stowed ones heh)

10

Wow that zim is killer!!! I have one of these animals in my stash. I will be watching your build with interest. Any other fit or problems, please pass them on. It would help out a ton.

I know what you mean by plenty of cross over parts. Had a bunch for the elephant/ ferdinand, when I built my rammtiger out of the tiger (P). Just think though, more parts for the spares box.

Keep up the great work.

11

Thanks to everyone for the great comments.

I’m going to start this update with some new pics I was able to find of BergeTigers I hope they will be of help to anyone interested in building this kit.

Gotta love the hair on the guy in the last pic lol

Okay so heres were I’m at …The crane

I started off by scraping the the plastic rods supplied with the Voyager set and making some new one’s from aluminum rod of the same diameter. I cut them to the correct length and lettered to match the instruction’s. The mounting were tthen attached with zap gap ca.

The shackels were lacking on detail so I drilled them out and made pins from stretched sprue and mushroomed the ends by applying heat. Then using the smallest drill I have I drilled holes through them for cotter pins made of copper wire.

The mounting attatchments were assembled according to the Voyager instructions and grant line bolts added. I replaced the kit supplied chain ,it was to big, for one that I picked up in the model ship sec. of my lhs.

And here it is on the vehical.

Tonight I’ll be working on the block and tackel for the crane. More updates soon.

12

Moose the only fit problem so far was with the parts I mentioned at the begining. I’ll let you know if there are any more.

Well after much fiddiling and another trip to the lhs, to pick up more chain, I finished the block and tackle for the crane today.

Biffa compared to the kit supplied crane the Voyager one has really turned into a kit in itself! And the end result just can’t be beat imo.

If anyone has any questions or comments please fire away.

So now its on to the tracks and the PE tool clamps. More to come, Steve.

13

That block and tackle is awesome.[tup] I know for sure I’d go cross-eyed if I attempted that.[:D]

I like the touch in yesterday’s post with the 1944 penny![tup] Was that intentional, or just an amazing coincidence?

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Thanks Max I’ll tell ya had to take a break a couple of times to keep my eyes from locking up lol. Thank god for advil. As far as the penny goes… pure luck of the draw. Reached into my change jar and thats what came out.

15

Nice work on the crane panzerguy, really sets this one apart. [tup]

16

Thanks Bill, means a lot coming from the master of the WIP [^]

I guess not to many people are to interested in this but I’ll keep plugging along.

Maybe if I put big gun on it it’ll draw a little more attention [;)]

17

Hello panzerguy,

That is amazing work. The block and tackle looks functional. The clevis pin with the cotter pins is really the extra effort. This build is gonna be cool. Keep plugging away, It’s looking great!

Best Regards,

18

Just a quick update of were I’m at with the BergeTiger.

Added the tools and a jerry can rack. Since I dont have any pics showing were the tools were placed I went with a little artistic lic.

I scratched a new mount for the remote MG using some left over brass and evegreen plasti strip.

A few more little tweeks and its off to the paint booth.

19

Stunning work!!! Beautiful job on the zimm!!! I still haven’t got the guts to try making my own yet. All that photoetch work is amazing,(all those tiny chains, tool clamps,etc…)my head is still spinning!![:D] Great job, can’t wait to see her painted up.

20

Sharp work! Not sure if it’s the photo angle, but the radio aerial appears a little on the tall side. The standard radio aerial used by the Germans was 2m in length or 57.14mm in 1/35 scale.