I really wanted to get away from the tanks depicted in the kit, I knew before long there would be a million renditions of Gray dusty # 100 out there. So I started researching and lo and behold sPzAbltng 503 fielded their older Tigers at Kursk! They had been refitted and repainted in the '43 scheme…Yea! I could use Dunkel gelb , add some camo…but wait a minute! oh no! the references show they had been fitted with dust/mud deflectors and bi-fold fenders…hmmmm
The Dragon kit ain’t got them things…???
Should I order PE and wait 10 days…??? nope, by golly I’ll just make me some.
Out came the sheet styrene and we went to cuttin’…here’s where I’m at so far…
I converted the Verlinden engine compartment to fit the kit and scratched the fenders and mud guards…I,m going to add figures-pulling maintenance and reloading ammo, sort of a resting scene after the first few days of combat…What do you think? I’ve got some more hinge details to work out yet…
looks good mate! Only thing I see is that the tank is no longer an INITIAL Tiger which only the 502 had at Leningrad as to my research. It looks like you’ve made an EARLY production tank. I dunno, I really like the initial Tiger which I think was the purpose of the 3-in-1 but still I like your scratchbuilding! why wait when you can do it yourself. Now I have the boring task of painting what looks like millions of tires on my tank by brush since I can’t quite figure out how to get my airbrush to work such fine detail…
EXACTLY-I don’t want an initial Tiger, that is the point. Everyone in the world has one. However, not everyone has the one below…
The intent was NOT to portray an initial Tiger. This kit is so popular that I didn’t want to do a “cookie cutter” build. For me, this is a much more interesting subject. The 503rd fought in southern Russia in '42, these are the same tanks (the survivors) readied for Kursk. Note the Mk lV stowage box and lack of exhaust shields. This tank is an oddity, a sort of transition between initial and early.[;)] Besides, after all the hype, the kit is very basic and not all that challenging so I thought i would get some scratch building and engine interior action while I was at it.
This is the tank I am modeling, all the traits of the initial Tiger, except for the addition of the fenders and skirts.
well thanks for clearing that up! I am going to disagree with you though about the simplicity of this kit… I have been waaaayyy too frustrated with the tiny PE bits that I have broken or lost LOL but I can see what you’re saying about cookie cutter models! I hope when I’m done you wont see a simple out of the mold model! Good work then, and thanks for clearing that up! Looks like you’ll have a really cool looking finished product when you’re done!
I hope you have good luck with the PE. As you can see, I am taking full advantage of it. I really like the PE supplied in this kit, it is paper thin brass and very easy to cut and bend. I have a positive outlook on this because I have been through hell using the Aber deluxe sets for my Panthers. I took a little time to make a few assembly aids to simplify assembling those PE bits, so I actually am starting to enjoy it.
Your frustration is well warranted, just keep trying and it will come together for you. Time and pressure…time and pressure…good luck with your Tiger my friend!
Great work Crockett. I figure another 3 days and you’ll be done [(-D] Your right, it’s gonna be a unique initial Tiger. You won’t be able to enter it in competitions as OOB though. hehe. Will it need zim?
Hey I-Beam, where have you been hiding? I’ve been doing a lot of Crappie fishin’, it’s been raining so I thought I would spend the day building. No competitions for me buddy, I want to ENJOY my hobby, know what I mean? (Actually, I’ve got the paint on tonight, most of the weathering, I should be done on two days!)
Is that crappy fishing or fishing for crappie LOL!! Any fishing is good though. The big Kingfish tournament is soon to start around here but that takes lots of money and boats. Redfish from the river and Snapper from the ocean for me, still need a boat though [:(]
Peek in on the Mad Leopard Week GB from page 5 on. Just got done my 2A6 and would be interested to hear your comments and your experiences with those post war german tanks and tankers.
