King Tiger Battle of the Bulge

Just completed Dragon’s 1/35 Battle of the Bulge King Tiger. Build was OOB. Model Master acrylic paints were used and washes/weathering was completed with MIG products. Overall kit assembly was excellent and made for a pleasurable build. Comments/critiques welcome[B]

That’s an excellent effort Udel09. I love the ambush patterm. My only critique would be to paint the sprocket teeth and tops of the track contacts metal, as they would have been worn clean.

Nice looking build I’d be proud if I’d done it. As Tigerman says maybe the drive sprocket teeth could be “cleaner”. Also if you want hyper picky as your showing the track guards off some people would question if the area below the hangers should be in camouflage or just primer (I’m sure you know but just to inform others, the small rectangles in the sides of the tank where for connecting the track guards too and that would have been done in the factory so wouldn’t have been painted other than primer).

Again that’s hyper picky and I’d say it could spoil the look you have there but you did ask [;)]

Phil

Great job on the camo and weathering,it was a good kit indeed,just finished one myself depicting 222,very enjoyable.

Nice work on the camo. [Y]

On the subject of worn surfaces, the KT had steel rimmed roadwheels, so the running surface would be burnished steel, as would the contact area, to some extent, on the inner side of the tracks.

Very nicely done! I might try and blend the turret numbers in with some dry brushing or streaking.

Terry

Tigerman / Phil - Thanks for the comments. Would you recommend dry brushing with a “gunmetal” or “silver”? I painted the track guide horns gunmetal, but it does not stand out very well and give that bare metal look. I did not consider leaving the side skirt attachment points primer red but that would make a lot of sense.

Tojo - This was my first King Tiger and I look forward to building some of Dragon’s other offerings

Phil H - Would you recommend a gunmetal or brighter silver/metal on the edge of the roadwheels?

Terry- I debated another pinwash for the turret to simulate streaking. This was my first successful attempt with the pinwash technique but I did use more thinner than I probably needed. Something to improve on for the next one.

Thanks for the comments and feedback!

My god man, I think you’ve captured the essence of this beast.

Other than what has already been noted, the primered areas, metal surfaces, etc…

!http://ronaldwilsher.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/IMG_5125.gif

My preference for worn metal is as follows. Use a simple #2 pencil (very last) for freshly worn metal, it’s simple and effective; just don’t spray any flattening or gloss coat over it…it’ll ruin the effect.

Now I’m thinking Tiger, Tiger, TIGER.

udel09

If you want to make the changes to highlight the metal wear gun metal will only work if it gets a good amount of light falling on it. IF and its a big IF you want to make any changes I’d suggest a very light dry brushing of silver, but it should be very light or use disatermasters suggestion. Don’t worry about the primer areas I’ve seen prize winners who have missed that.

I thought about the streaking question and would say you did fine, the King Tiger was a pretty new tank at the time of battle so it wouldn’t have a huge amount, just say its at the start of the battle. At the end of the day its your build, make some small changes if you like. No matter what its a very nice build

Phil

udel: I agree w/the other advice givers. Starting with the adage that “less is more” is always best. If it’s not enough, you can add more later – harder to start very bright (i.e. silver) and then dull it down.