Good afternoon guys,
I’ve got a few builds that I would like to do this year and top of the list is a 1/35 Tiger I.
I’ve got the Tamiya 1/48 job which is big enough as it is but that was the first model I ever made and obviously it isn’t the best!
I’m assuming most of you will recommend a DML kit but the question stands!
Best 1/35 scale Tiger I kit (I wouldn’t want to spend much more than £50).
Thanks,
Ben [t$t]
With Zimmerit or without?, either way the Dragon Tigers are hard to beat.
Good question Jeebus. Not too fussed but I do love a bit of Zim but if it was to have Zim it would have to already in place. My skills aren’t up to a decent Zim job yet!
Saying that doesn’t the additional Tamiya Zim come on ready to stick on ‘patches’?
Has anyone built a Dragon 1/35 Tiger? Could they post a photo for me please?
Ben [:)]
Hi Ben,
If you want a 1/35 Tiger with pre-moulded Zim, there’s really only one choice, Dragon’s #6383, A “Late” Tiger 1,. All other Tiger 1 kits in 1/35 require you to add the Zim yourself.
However, if you want all the bells and whistles, including a metal barrel, PE and Magic Tracks (The later issues of the “Late” Tiger 1 have one-piece DS tracks), then look for #6253 , the “original” Tiger 1 Late “3-in-1” kit.
Tamiya does not make after-market Zim, the closest they get to it is a Zim raking tool set and (separately, putty.
Hmmm, I don’t fancy raking Zim! Just yet anyway!
I had pretty much resigned myself to a DML Tiger-I thought that would be the way tbh.
What is the general concensus when it comes to Academy, Trumpeter and AFV club kits? I’ve been looking at them on a website.
ATVB
Ben [:)]
I am by no means a zim expert but my personal preference is the after market resin zim. I have the Cavalier stuff several times. If you get the set for the kit you are building it will be a perfect fit. I like the look of it better compared to the pre-molded stuff and when comparing both to a photo of the real deal. But as I said, that my preference.
It depends on what version of the Tiger you want to build. Dragon’s Intitial Tiger is awesome but hard to find and very expensive. The Tamyia kit is fine if you don’t want to spend the cash. Tamiya’s Early Tiger is great and really your only option for that type. Same for Mid-production but you’re going to need resin zimm. I’ve got Dragons Late with zimm and it looks fantastic. Haven’t built it yet because I’m still researching Whittman’s tank. Tamiya’s Late is a great kit as well but you’re going to need resin zimm.
So if you want a simple and great looking kit get a Tamiya. Just remember that the mid and late production will need zimm. Cavalier makes sets for both tanks.
If you want a more complicated kit with premoulded zimm go for the Dragon late.
Erik
Thanks for the very insightful post Erik,
It’s the one that had caught my eye but you have just sealed the decision for me-I’ll order the Dragon late with Zimm.
ATVB
Ben [t$t]
I’ve built the Tamiya Tiger I Late and it was arguably my favorite build. Not as accurate as Dragon and doesn’t come with the engine screens, but the fit was perfect.
Cavalier and Atak make the best resin zimmerits, but alas, they come at a bit of a price.
Good luck on the zimmed Dragon kit. I have heard that the DS tracks have too many links in them and might need some cut off. It doesn’t come with Magic-tracks.
You may also consider the Cyber-Hobby #6610, “Wittmann’s Last Tiger”. It also comes molded with zim, and has a lot of photo-etch parts, workable torsion bars, and obviously Wittmann’s markings (#007). It’s a little more money though.
spruebrothers.com has then in stock ready to ship
I wouldn’t worry about the DS tracks. They are very easy to modify to the correct length.
Whittmann’s Cyber-Hobby Tiger really isn’t worth the extra cash when compared to the standard Dragon Late. The only differences are markings for 007/009 and Befehls Tiger radio antennas. I wouldn’t get one unless you are a Whittmann fan. That being said, I’ve got one in my stash…[:P]
Erik
Greetings!
It is now eight years after the last post and thought it might be fun to reappraise the points of view here. For example, one earlier post stated that the only Tiger kit with manufacturer molded zimmerit was the Dragon late Tiger I; Italeri has since provided this. Another stated that Tamiya does not make zimmerit sets for their Tigers, when, in fact, they do. Additionally, new Tigers are out there with the Rye Field Models kits and the Meng offerings.
Unfortunately, we all have our prejudices. Italeri has been described as “craftsman kits”, Tamiya has been called “shake 'n bake” kits, and most kits have been criticised as including mishappen turrets.
So, to reopen the question, what are the best Tiger I kits out there in 1/35? As a fairly new builder of tanks, I really would like to hear opinions.
Bill Morrison
I haven’t built one yet but have a rye field early tiger in the stash that looks amazing with full interior
I don’t think that Meng has a Tiger I,just the toon version.
But I still stand by Dragon Tigers.I have built the Late with Zimm,Wittmans 007,and the Tunisian Tiger and have enjoyed all of them.Still got 131 in the stash.
[dto:] This one kicks Dragon’s behind big time. The level of detail is amazing.
Italeri’s zimmerit Tiger kit dates back to 1995-96 or so along with their Panther, although the zimmerit is provided as flat, thick sections that attach to the sides of the hull and turret. Not a Tiger expert or fan for that matter, but I’m fairly sure it isn’t close to the level of accuracy as Dragon’s first ones. The one I got was quite clunky (Italeri Tiger).
Rye Fields Models Tiger I.
I have enjoyed building the Tamiya series of Tigers in years past. And, although I do not have any from the Italeri series, I have seen them done and done well. My son also gave me the Academy Early with Interior, and their Normandy Middle Tiger for Father’s Day, knowing that I have dabbled in getting back into armor.
I suppose my question centers on what makes Rye, or Dragon, or AFV, et.al., better than the others when, sitting side-by-side, they all look like Tigers?
Bill
That is a good question indeed. Like any other model there are good, fair and bad representations of a certain prototype. Some models are more simplified with molded on details that cut down on parts count. Others have tons of separate added on details that sometimes gets to be a PITA to deal with no matter how accurate and realistic it may look.
For the most part, I find the later Dragon armor kits to have very good detail quality. The old Testors/Italery 1/35 armor line from the 1980s though not as complex as the Dragon offerings still make some very nice models like the Sdkfz 234/3 and Maultier.
Now and then a model company comes out and hits a homerun and IMO, Rye has done just that with this Tiger I. I feel the same for the Takom King Tiger with full interior that looks awesome. All reviews give high points for both.
It also depends if you really want to deal with a nicely detailed interior which isnt going to be visible unless you open it up somehow.Thats why I prefer Dragon,lot of extras you can see.
Also check out David Bryden’s Tiger site,excellent info