Banging out a late (March 1945) King Tiger issued to the 502nd…number 555 (battalion commander Kurt Hartrampf’s, if you’re interested! [:D]) for the Panzer Aces build, using the Tamiya Ardennes kit - 35252.
Have a couple of questions about the application of the “ambush” scheme.
Did it extend downward onto the wheels, or stop at the bottom of the skirts? Tamiya shows it going on to the wheels…but I have my doubts. Anyone?
Did the rear panel - where the exhausts are attached - get “ambushed” as well? No indication by Tamiya (or my refs) either way on this one.
Finally, would any spare tracks have been attached at the factory, and been included in the paint scheme? Or were they added after, remaining “track colored”? I’ve seen it both ways…and the ref pic is “inconclusive” to my color-blind eyes. [D)]
Thanks for looking, thanks even more if you can give me a definitive answer to any of the above! [;)]
On 21 April '45…“1 kilometer southwest of Heinersdorf the Hedquarters Tiger and several other tanks are abandoned having used up all ammunition and suffering suspension damage.”
The new Tigers started to arrive on February 14, and by March 6th, 31 had been delivered. It is impossible to tell if 555 had all the “final” production traits, since this Battalion headquarters tank could have been in the first batch (February), and may have been manufactured in late '44…?
So, If the unit history is correct, by March ‘45 ol’ 555 had about a month to live, here is 555 (Note the cammo net on the gun tube) and in this photo dated 27 March, the tank has hit a mine, the left front and at least the forward portion(s) of the L/S mudguards are ripped off, It is also interesting to note that there are NO spare blocks on the R/s of the turret (Note the mess kit hanging from the rear hanger):
and the caption:
As for the ambush scheme, here is a side view from 213 showing the roadwheels in dunkelgelb only:
And a color plate:
So…If it were me , I would;
Use use Olivegrun,Dunkelgelb and Rotbrun. I would definitely “ambush” the rear glacis. I would not cammo the roadwheels. I would also NOT ambush scheme UNDER the mudguards, if you are going to leave some missing.
As for the track blocks…I would paint them in the usual brownish color, and then add a little rust as necessary, but not overdo it. The color plate seems to suggest that these blocks on this particular vehicle 223, were painted over in Rotbrun, but not “dotted”…? I would think either leaving them in the issue brown metallic with a little rust, or painting them would be OK, just no ambush dots IMHO. Hope this info helps…
Also, while it is a vehicle from around the correct time period, 555 definitely does not have single link 18 tooth track, so you won’t be able to use the Hobby Boss set, as I mentioned over in the Panzer Aces thread (see my post there)
Crockett, as usual YOU are the MAN! [:D] “Hope this helps” - haahahahha. Perfect. All questions answered exactly as needed! [:D] With photo evidence!
And Hermes, you’re killing me! [(-D]
Any options for tracks that don’t cost $30-$40/set? I was really hoping to get away cheap in that department. What I really wanted to do was try the kit rubber bands using Crockett’s (once again!) method of using pins to get the sag right after seeing his mini-tutorial on the Marder. Sadly, my kit bandys have some melty spots, I guess I’m going to have to see what I can do about fixing them up a bit. With the large mudguards maybe no one will notice? Ugh. [V]
Tamiya does make a set of Indy links, I paid $20.00 USD for mine. I’ll let ‘em go for that price…OR…I have a bag of Magic Track from my builds (since I always use Fruils), DML indy links, I will send them to you for nothin’ if you like…just email or PM me. I would not recommend the Tamiya kit tracks, they are really bad, and will virtually ruin your build IMHO.
the Tamiya track for the KT:
here are the infamous Magic Tracks fom the Ardennes BOB release:
By the way Hermes, I haven’t forgotten you on those decals for the last production Ferdie, I’ve been ill and in the Hospital, could you please resend your info so I can get that sheet to you?
