Like Kermit’s build of this kit, this one was started awhile back and then sidelined, but not for any horrendous reason. Mainly just because it was part of a GB (at the local AMPS Chapter) where I had a far off deadline and other GBs I had signed up for (on here) did not. Well the deadline is now approaching so this is now my top priority project…[;)]
I had mainly completed a lot of sub assemblies and the running gear so far. With my tax return I picked up a set of AFV Club indy link tracks to replace the incorrect kit tracks. Those fit this kit perfectly and I do recommend them to anyone who takes this build on. They assemble quickly once you get in a rhythm…
it basically took me 2 to 3 one hour long session to complete each side…
Carlos, I don’t care what anyone says about correct dimensions or “scale zimmerit”, I LOVED this kit and its plastic zimmerit! This IS that kit, isn’t it? I made a killer Michael Wittman version of it using that zimm. Just thin it out a little by scrubbing the backside of it on some sheet sandpaper and you’re good to go.
I don’t know why this didn’t catch on more–it was perfect medium and way to make zimmerit.
I have to say that I’ll be curious as to how your model turns out with the “weather first” approach!
I am building the Dragon Late/Final Tiger and also opted for the AFV club tracks. For whatever reason the Dragon magic tracks were grossly oversize, so I looked into the AFV which were cheaper than fruils (which honestly I think are overpriced) or the Modelkasten (ditto). I knew from a little web searching that the AFV tracks would require a bit of work due to 3 ejector marks on each track, but with some Mr. Dissolved Putty and a runs of track tacked to the bench with tape I have managed to get into a rhythm. But I am a little lucky. The Dragon kit comes with a jig to form the loop and lead out for both idler and drive gear, which is making things a bit easier. I am opting to glue the track runs into one solid piece to make the whole thing removable so I can paint and weather later.
So all told, I think even though a lot of work is involved the AFV tracks were actually quite a deal and they really did manage a pretty ingenious method for making them moveable.
Shawker, I used dirt from my front yard garden- ground down and sifted until i have really really fine dirt, then I mix it with a few drops of water and some Future to give it better adhesion quality than plain old mud. This method is FAR cheaper than pigments, and I can paint it later to get whatever earth tones I choose.
Karl, this is the early version of that kit, without the zimm. I have their Panther A kit that has the zimm and was thinking of thinning it down like you did when I build it. After reading your advice to do so, I will go that way when I tackle that build. This Tiger is not a bad kit at all, and I think will look pretty decent when I am done here.
NH, yes I saw some Fruils for the Tiger at the LHS today and they were over $50!!! No thanks. I’ll stick to these AFV links. Yes, there were 285 ejector pin marks to remove per side, but really it just comes down to finding your groove and going with it. 5 links at a time and I was rolling. The first side was the learning side and the second side went smoothly…
Well today was adding parts to earlier sub assemblies, and some scratch building…
I added most of the fiddly bits to the engine access hatch, with the exception of the Fiefel filter hoses and their brackets
and completed the driver/assistant drivers hatches
Now the kit comes with a very basic engine and some open grill work that you can see down into the hull to show…emptiness…
so what to do??? first up I had obtained some cast off Tiger parts from Jim Wechsler at AMPS (thank you sir), including the fans and radiators for the rear portions of the grills, but that still left the front part vacant. So I did a Tiger Cutaway view image search to see what should be there. It looked like some sort of fuel tanks. I had some spare T-34 external armored box tanks that were close to the correct shape, but not the proper size. So some measuring and improvising with sheet plastic and brass screen based off of the views and I had this…
and with the top deck in place (but not glued until after I paint it) and now there is something to see there- not perfect and exact, but far better than it was…
and finally some work on the turret. I replaced the sorry excuses for canteen and gas mask case with decent ones from my spares bin and added some sheet plastic to teh rear of the mount for some other goodies I will be adding…
and finally the reason for the Tiger… the barrel of the 88
I should be getting some paint on tomorrow on the interior parts…
Not a lot is really needed… I just like doing more. I honestly think that it is a pretty decent kit for its’ age OOB with the exception of the tracks. Yesterday’s build session was cut short for various resons, but I did add some detial to the turret interior that will only be seen my me, you guys who see the photos here, and the guys at IPMS who use those little flashlights… like the engine stuff I added, its not perfect and exact, but it gives a little more to be seen in there…
sub assemblies for the turret- hatches and stowage bin
exhausts
and my finished turret interior with added gunners station, turret sidewall stowage, and recoil guard & shell catcher and co ax MG added to the main gun
also I finally found these Dragon figures as possible for sitting in the turret hatches
Thanks Bill. Yes I am building it as one of the DAK Tigers in Tunisia in early 1943. The one eating from the can is perfect for the TC hatch, but I am not sure about the drinking guy for the loaders hatch or not…
I have another figure in my stash in storage that will work perfect on this kit I think. I need to get over there in the next few days… today was a good airbrushing session on interior components- interior ivory, primer red, panzer gray, and satin black.
Humbrol Tank Gray/Panzer Gray on the interior surfaces of the hatches- and also in the lower hull open areas… I am having a hard time overpowering the urge to scratch build more in there… that is contagious!
primer red (Humbrol Wine Red) in the engine compartment
Humbrol Satin Black on engine components
and together
Now that it is all painted, you cant see much of anything through the grills… of course… [whstl]
The Turret interior now uniform in MM Interior Tan/ Elfenbein
I can finish getting hull parts glued together starting tomorrow… [prte]
More progress today… with one item being a huge step forward to completion…
well I figured since the grills are gonna let any airbrushed paint thru into my engine compartment work, that was not a good idea, so I cut up some index card to fit as masks below the grillwork… then I glued the upper hull deck and engine in place… I made them longer than needed so I can pull them out thru the turret ring…[8-|]
then I drilled out the bore on the bow MG and installed the ball mount on the front upper plate
and then glued that plate in place
and finally I glued the engine access hatch in place
Tomorrow if all goes well, now that the main hull is all assembled, I ought to be able to get all the rest of the lower hull work completed… fenders, air filters, etc.
Thanks Bill. I figured out while brainstorming that issue that I could probably do something like I was able to do. There was just enough room in there to do it. I am looking forward to some paint on this too. In another week or so I guestimate…
Well all fenders and most hull fitting pretty much attached. I am holding off on pioneer tools/stowage until I decide on which turret number this tank will be. There was some variation in that on the Tigers in this unit.
I need to scratch build some brackets for the spare track shoes that were carried on the rear hull by the 501st Tigers
and I worked on the turret interior detail painting…
