Is there a Dragon Tiger i kit that is suitable for a non-zimm build?
From memory, as I’m sat here at work, generaly late models didnt get Zimm. Simply put it was becoming a numbers game at the end of the war and time spent on Zimm could be time spent building another one. Sure some of the guys here can be some specific on type letters for you.
Zimmerit was applied to some tanks and closed-top self-propelled guns produced from December 1943 to 9 September 1944.It was only rarely applied to open-top AFVs. The rough appearance of the coating gave a distinct appearance to the vehicles it coated.
Application of Zimmerit was usually done at the factory. The many variations seen in application designs, from the regular ridge-shaped pattern, to a less common waffle-shaped pattern, are mostly related to the factory producing each type of AFV. For example, the waffle pattern was seen almost exclusively on Sturmgeschütz III assault guns. In general, vehicles already in service were not given coats of Zimmerit.
Zimmerit was discontinued from factory application on 9 September 1944 and from field application on 7 October 1944.This was due to baseless concerns that projectile impacts could set it on fire. These proved false, but the order was never rescinded. Applying and drying the paste added days to the production of each vehicle,which was unacceptable as there was a shortage of tanks
From our good friends at Wikipedia
Tiger I production ceased (Aug '44) before the application of Zimmerit was discontinued (Sept. '44) In theory, the last Tigers should have Zimm.
As far as Dragon Tigers are concerned, There are three “Late” Tiger I kits, two which require Zimmerit and the third having Zimmerit pre-moulded.
There is also the “Initial”, which doesn’t require Zimmerit, but which commands silly prices due to low availability and the profiteering associated with low production numbers.
We are still waiting for the long-announced, but yet to appear “Early”, which also would not require Zimmerit.
You could always get a Tamiya Initial or Early Tiger. They are both great kits and can be found for reasonable prices.
Erik