Gents,
I’m a Tiger I buff too and have always liked the late production variations better. I find them definitely better and meaner looking, with the new cupola, zimmerit, all-steel wheels and so on. Since I think this is a general sentiment among Tiger lovers, I wonder why Tamiya wouldn’t make their 1/16 models in said version. They would have looked even more impressive. I’d appreciate any views on this. Thanks!
Alvaro.
Welcome to the fourm Alvaro. The Tiger you have mentioned is a nice looking tank. Maybe you and others could contact Tamiya USA and let them know your views. They might listen to suggestions.
mark956
I agree Alvaro. I have the 1/35 kit and love it. It wouldn’t seem to be to big a modification to the previously built 1/16. I agree with Mark, email Tamiya and get the ball rolling. Welcome to the forums Alvaro
I never really liked the late, steel-wheeled version. I’m a fan of the early production model, as represented in the big 1/16 Tamiya kits.
So, I’m happy!
Well of course J-Hulk would say that! And since J-Hulk lives in Osaka, Japan he can stroll right over and talk to Mr. Tamiya. Hmmm, I smell a conspiracy! As for myself, I prefer the mid and late version of the Tiger over the early. I do have a request for J-Hulk though. J-Hulk, next time you bump into the big guy over at Tamiya, ask him to consider making a 1/16 scale full option Panther! [;)]
Okieboy
I always wondered why they chose the 105mm gunned Sherman instead of a mid-production 75mm or an Easy Eight. I guess both Sherman and Tiger fit in the ‘go figure’ catagory. Wouldn’t have been cool if they’d have polled the forums for input?
Ron.
You know, you could have a point there Ron. I suppose Tamiya went with the “classic originals”. That would explain why they put out those versions.
Roy
I think everybody that runs into Mr. Tamiya begs for a Panther!
What I have heard concerning the next 1/16 scale kit is that it will be a Leopard 2A5. Don’t quote me, though!
Yup, I like the mid-pro Tigers, too. It’s the running gear I like . The steel wheel running gear on the late Tigers looks too narrow to me.
What does “go figure category” mean?? (sorry, I’m a Spaniard) And “classic originals”?? Is a late pro Tiger not as classic or as original as the early variation?
Alvaro.
J-Hulk, I’d like a Stuart! (I know, call me Stuartfreak!)
Fuster, sorry about the slang. Here in the US ‘Go figure’ is used when something is fairly obvious, MIGHT not make sense (but then again it might, because it’s VERY obvious), but is a fact anyway. .Or at least that’s the way I use it.
Such as: 1st Person: “Man, that can of spray paint blew up when I heated it on my stove!”
2nd Person: “Yeah… Go figure.” (Another US reply would be “duh”, which means, “of course it did… Stupid”)
OR: 1st Person: “I took Mary out to a movie last night, then we went dancing, had a great evening and today she tells me she wants to date this other guy.”
2nd Person: “Yeah, go figure.”
(and don’t worry, my Spanish is terrible and I don’t know ANY slang! … a few swear words…)
Ron.
Heh, heh…
Yeah J-Hulk, I suppose that one could argue that the original wheels offered more armor protection for the hull as well. I’m with you though for liking their appearance better than the steel wheels. But I just can’t stand the early production cupola! I’ve also become addicted to zimmerit, blame Moses!
Roy
Main-lining or just smoking [:)]
(Sorry - couldn’t resist)
I believe what he meant was the early “classic” kits that Tamiya first produced, not that one model of a specific tank was any more classic than any other model of the same tank. However, esthetics is another question. I personally like all the Tigers and Panthers, no matter the model.
Bill
Believe Me! they will!
Its only a matter of time (they,re saving the best till last)!
It wouldn,t take mutch to do, They,ve got the wheels (from the Tiger II).It would only require minor tooling ie new cupola, new mantlet etc. And everybody who was put off first time round because they prefer the mid & late version (and who can afford it) will rush down to their LHS cash in sweaty hands to buy it .
Alternatively you could convert it. Ive seen some great examples where this has been done ( Ive even seen a Sturmtiger conversion).
Yours Gotter.
Ps A zimmed up Mid or Late looks twice as sexy & menacing as a featureless dustbin topped “Early”, Thats not to say the early isn,t an awesome beast, just not as awesome.[:)]
Thanks for your kind comments gents. Ron’s explanation of the idiom was great; you could be a good teacher. And Gotter’s words made me have second thoughts. I was about to order the 1/16 kit (in fact, I have already bought the metal tracks and replacement barrel) but man, yeah, you’re probably right, that latepro version can’t be far; I’ll wait a bit longer -gut-wrenching wait indeed-. BTW, you probably know that Hong Kong is by far the best place in the world to shop for electronic and hobby goods, cheaper than in Japan and the largest selection. Someone might want to know that there’s a guy there, a dealer, who will send you a 1/16 RC full option Tiger for less than 600 bucks. His name’s Patrick and his email addy patrick516@hotmail.com
Cheers.
Alvaro.
Hey Fuster, thank you very much for the tip on the Tiger. As for converting the early to the mid or late version, I converted mine to a mid production version and you can check it out at Erock’s group build website, www.erock68.com . The hardest thing about doing it was finding and waiting on the extra parts to arrive. I also added zimmerit to mine, which also increased the build time. I don’t suppose your contact has a supply of Tamiya electronics like the Tamiya DMD-T03 unit and the Tamiya MF-01 unit?
Thanks,
Okieboy
Okieboy, I don’t know if this guy has the Tamiya parts you want, email him and find out. If he doesn’t, he’ll probably be able to get them…
Your work on your machine looks superb. May I ask a few questions? If so, a stupid one to begin with; didn’t you mind to spoil the King Tiger kit taking the cupola? I think you didn’t use new metal tracks, don’t you think they’re necessary? What make are the tow cables?
Thanks for your time. Alvaro.
Okieboy Superb mid conversion hats off to you!
[bow][bow][bow]
Gotter.[:D]
Is there any manufaturer that does/did produce a Porsche Prototype Tiger I? If not a full kit, how about a conversion kit?
Thank you.
Okieboy, very, very nice!
Very impressive looking tanks. I may down the road decide to put up the money and build me one of those monsters.
mark956