I know I’ve asked this before but I am still a bit apprensive…would like to hear from someone who has actually done this.
I have an Academy Early Production Tiger I with Interior, 1/35, and recently purchased the extremely cool Aber Early Production Tiger I super-detail set (see link), which was actually specifically made for the Tamiya kit. Can it be used for the Academy kit as well? Has anyone tried this? Any difficulties? I also bought the Eduard Interior detail set for the Academy kit, so this is going to be somewhat of a major undertaking, and I don’t want to ruin it. I would appreciate any input. Thank you! This is going to be my first tank model…
You should be OK. I have used PE from one kit for another and usually there is few problems. Things that require an exact fit can be trimmed of filed to fit. An example would be the finders on the hull side. There might be a hair different in length between the two different companies. By and large with academy and tamiya working to be exact in scale, things should be very close in size and fit. Take note I have their K02 kit for the panther and it came with the detailed barrel, however the K01 kit for the tiger doesn’t come with the detailed barrel. It comes with a two piece barrel not the 11 piece barrel. I had to order mine seperately. I don,t know how much modeling experience you have but you picked one heck of a combination to start with. Take your time, don’t get in a hurry. It is OK to walk away and take some time off as you work. There is only a million pieces. Work from the inside out. When you finish, you will be able to handle most anything. Use good references any ask questions. Have you thought about using metal track? It makes the track sag just right. I had been out of modeling for years and My first kit I did when I started back was a T62 kitbash with Tamiyas T62, Verlindens T62 upgrade, Tamiyas T55 parts Eduard PE, and AEFs turret, and frieulmodels T 72 track. It still is one of my best. Good luck on yours.
Thank you…this is actually my first tank model in 27 years…I’ve been away from model building for a long time. Am currently working on a Revell Arizona with PE (mostly just for practice–my first build since I was 17), then I have a shelf of about 6 Luftwaffe planes , and the Tiger. I was going to do the planes first, but I’m getting awfully bored with the ship, and am quite drawn to starting on the Tiger. I’m expecting the Dragon Late Production Tiger I 3 in 1 when it comes out, and the Dragon Tiger I (P) also. I actually have a set of ModelKasten tracks for the Tiger, but plan on getting the Friul metal tracks for the other builds. I do believe I’ve gone quite insane.
I know exactly what you mean, only came back to the hobby 4 weeks ago, this forum for a week now and its just growing on me… and I’m pretty happy bout that [8-].
Since you allready have one detailed Tiger and a second and third one coming in(good for you [8D]) this is what I would do:
Do the Academy detailed one “as is”, maybee consider using the ModelCasten tracks for this build. Tricky enough with all that “built in detail”, but you gather experience, maybee shadowing the Tamiya GB for reference while doing so.
I acctually started on that route myself until I realized that the subject I had chosen was a late version.
Buy one of the Tamiya offerings now, that will keep you busy until the Dragon is relised. Use the Aber conversion kit for what it was intended for. I am sure it can be adjusted to fit the Academy, but someone has spent time in getting it right for the Tamiya so…
And then just wait impatiently for the Dragons to come in [dinner]
