Ok, so I’m pretty confused with Takom’s King tiger kits.
I have seen at least 4 different versions (boxes) and can’t seem to discern the differences between them.
I’ve been told that they are putting out what is arguably the “best” Tiger 2 on the current market, with Meng being a equal or close second.
So if I wanted the best takom tiger 2 which kit would that be?
I haven’t a lhs and really don’t want to order the wrong one.
I would like it with Zimmerit if possible.
Thanks
Well, there is a version with the production turret (Henschel) and with the Porsche turret. Then each of these were issued with and without zimmerit. That’s your four basic versions.
Then there’s a special limited edition Ammo Mig Jimenez version that includes his high end paint already in the box. That’s the Henschel turret without zimmerit.
The last one is the first initial production version (Porsche turret) so it doesn’t have zimmerit either.
So your choice is based on which version you wish to model, Henschel (#2045 & #2047) or Porsche (#2046) are the zimmerit versions. The difference in turret pattern for the Pz Abt 505 is kit #2047.
Thanks Rob, that really helps a bunch. Wish I could stay up to date on all the current stuff, but unfortunately between work and the wife my free time is at a huge premium. Any other great kits come out recently?
There are at least 6 Takom King Tigers I can think of at the moment. Specifying that you want it with Zimmerit cuts it down to 3.
2045 King Tiger Henschel Turret with Zimmerit. Production model of the turret.
2046 King Tiger Porsche Turret with Zimmerit. Prototype turret run of 50 units.
2047 King Tiger Henschel Turret with Zimmerit. Same as 2045, but the turret has a large panel cleared of Zimmerit on the turret side to build a King Tiger of s.Pz.Abt 505. This unit had a charging knight insignia in the cleared space of the turret, so while the turret is the same, the plastic part is different from 2045 to allow this to be modeled. It can ONLY make a King Tiger from this specific unit out of the box.
Other than the turret differences, these three kits are essentially the same otherwise. Unless you are interested in the markings in particular in 2047 (it will only build a King Tiger from that unit), your best bet is to choose the type of turret you want, and buy 2045 or 2046. The other Takom King Tigers kits are without Zimmerit, or the initial production version, also no Zimmerit.
I think I’m going with the Henchsel turret. Not really a fan of the “Porsche” turret…even though they were both designed by Krupp lol. Thanks for all the info. And if there are any good T-34 kits to be had who makes it?
There are quite a few very good T-34 kits. AFV Club makes a decent one with an interior and clear upper hull to display the interior. It can be built regular as well. Dragon makes umpteen T-34 in virtually any version.
Tamiya’s old ones date back to the 70s and there are Eastern European ones that come out in various boxes that are probably best left on the shelf.
Although the clear hull is a cool idea, I think I’ll choose Dragon.
The clear hull can be painted regular, you get an interior. Double check whichever Dragon kit you get. They are not all created equal. Some are much better, more accurate than others.
Thanks for the heads up… I’ll do some thorough research for sure.
Although I am probably gonna check out the AFV kit also.
Takom also makes both the Henschel and Porsche KT II with Interiors. I have the Henschel 505 unit one with interior and it’s simply a work or art.
Now for a Tiger 1 Rye Fields Models makes the best:
http://www.themodellingnews.com/2016/11/ryefield-captures-carius-tiger-in-their.html?m=1
The only T-34s I’ve built are the ancient Tamiya kits and the Dragon one. Personally I like the Dragon kit, it build without any real problems best I remember.
I have the AFV Club kit too, which I bought because of the interior. I’m hoping to build a knocked-out Korean War T-34 with the hatches open whenever I build up the guts to try. Looks a great kit in the box.
Academy also makes a fairly new T-34 kit which I’ve heard good stuff about but haven’t seen firsthand myself.
Sorry, only Tiger II I’ve built is the Tamiya and Dragon kits both of which lacking detail compared to the newer ones did go together without any major issues.
I’ve yet to lay hands on any of the Takom kits regardless of subject. I’ve heard nothing but good things about them though. I’m more of a modern US armor builder, so I’ve been getting the newer AFV Club M60A1 and A3 as well as newer Abrams kits.
I know other brands of King Tiger kits have hit the for sale forums because they have to have the best and are selling off in order to obtain the Takom ones. So pretty good deals can be had if you want a good, but not the best, King Tiger.
It probably sounds snobbish, but I have a stash of about 104 kits with about 80 of them being what is considered mediocre…alot of old Tamiya and academy kits, some far worse (lindberg) are probably best left in the box but I will build them.
So now I’ve decided not to waste any more of my time/money/storage space on more “mediocrity” lol
That probably sounds bad but it’s about to the point of necessity.
I have piles of kits that were once “the best” but are now mediocre, so I get it. I have a couple of tank companies worth of Tamiya, Academy, and Esci (and Revell and Italeri reboxes) of the M60A1/A3 tank kits, but have set those aside to deal with the better AFV Club kits.
If it’s of any use I just finished up Takom’s US T30/34 and it was fantastic. Lots of small parts but fit was perfect and the instructions were way better than Dragon. If their Tigers are good as it I’d really recommend it.
They even give you a pair of jigs made out of plastic that cement won’t affect to use to glue the link tracks around- then you can slide them off and onto the model.
The jig sounds like a really nice thought on their part. Individual track links can be a real pain by nature, and unless you want to shell out big bucks for some metal tracks the individual links are the way to go.
Rubber band tracks should be outlawed imo.
I’m about to order my Takom king tiger Henschel turret with Zimmerit.
Still have a few kits ahead of it though…currently working on a old Tamiya Hanomag 251 with alot of scratchbuilt extras.
Admittedly I’ve taken some artistic license with the interior by adding gun racks and shelving that probably never existed…still looks cool.
Wish I could post pics from my phone
Wow, good luck with the old Hanomag; I find when dealing with really old kits like that that it is easier to just go old school and build out of box or scratch build stuff for it. Any aftermarket items money is better spent on a superior kit.
Once upon a time when the Tamiya M41 Walker Bulldog was the only available kit, I had $90 some odd dollars invested in it. When Skybow and subsequently AFV Club released them, a new tooled kit was around $30.
Edit. There are about a dozen Takom kits as of now. I will clarify a little; be aware that stalemates has uploaded incorrect instructions whilst labelling something else. Not a biggy but best to be aware - if you want a certain track;
H = Henschel / P = Porsche
H w/Zim individual links
H w/Zim individual links + jig? (Abt. 505 no zim patch)
H w/Zim Link & Length
H w/Zim Link & Length (Abt. 505 no zim patch)
H NO Zim individual links
H NO Zim Link & Length
H NO Zim Link & Length (LATE - NB. Tracks different type + 18 teeth sprocket+night sight)
—————————————————————————-
P w/Zim individual links
P NO Zim individual links
P NO Zim individual links + jig?
P NO Zim Link & Length
P NO Zim Link & Length (INITIAL - exhaust different, 18 teeth sprocket (idk if same as late version, and some small details)
P NO Zim (fairy tale 105 gun and a confused mix of early and very late stuff)
Its been 7 years since he asked,I wonder if he’s still looking 
but hey,as I always say about zombie threads,the info could still be useful.
It’s a necropost for sure but that info took me some time to collate and there is no other post I know that explains the confusing myriad of Takom Tiger IIs anywhere else that I know of