I am having real probs with assembling those plastic tracks,
anyone had a similar problem, they supply multiple small track links to curve round the front & back of the wheels, I cant get mine to form the correct shape
anyone had a similar issue, any ideas, alternatives to use for tracks, I dont want to abort, otherwise the kit looks fine,
Dave, visit this site: http://www.ontheway.us/
It is one of the most comprehensive sites dedicated to 1/72 scale modeling. I did a quick check of the construction reviews and articles and while I did not see an article on the Revell King Tiger, I did see several on the Tiger I (same concept with the tracks).
I have both the Henschel and Porsche King Tigers but have not built either one. I have built many of the Revell kits and they all have link & length tracks (besides the Hasagawa and Matchbox reboxes).
It is not too difficult if you take your time and ensure a good fit prior to reaching for the glue. It may help to assemble the tracks on a piece of low-tack masking tape (like the 3M blue stuff). Then wrap the piece in the position it needs to be in and apply a drop of liquid cement at the joints. Let dry thoroughly before trying to remove the tape.
Hey tiger dave. I only model all things 1/72 scale. I have just finnished a tiger myself. Most kits come with a choice of Vinyl or Plastic tracks. It’s too bad that this one hasn’t. Italleri and Academy both come with these options. I combined vinyl tracks from another kit, wich actually looked more realistic. Vinyl tracks come with little tabs on the ends that you are to glue into place. Forget 'em. Cut them off and just glue the two ends ontop of each other. There are also after market kits too for this scale believe it or not. Sorry your having such a rough time. Good luck and don’t give up.
Hi all. This is my first post after a couple of weeks of lurking. I just completed my first model aft about 20 years away from the hobby. I’m 31.
Anyway, the kit I chose was a Stug III G from Revell. A 1/72 kit with the same plastic track with several lengths of track and individual links for the drive sprocket and the back. I found the track to appear crowded and bumpy, and yes I almost pitched the thing. My work around was to carve off the tabs and glue the links to the wheels and not to each other.
Ultimately, I was satisfied with the build and have moved onto a 1/35th scale sdkfz 223. Did the tracks influence my choice of a trackless 1/35th scale model? Definately. ; )
Yes they can be a pain in the but. However they reward the patient with a great looking set of tracks. Unfortunally, they are hard to do, however with work, they should come around. Besides, its a 9.00 kit, you can practice quite a bit to finally get it right. Dragon makes a nice tiger in vinal track, however do not use any paint but tamiya or similar water based paint on it. It will never dry for some reason.
Bill
Man, I’m sorry to hear that. As a builder of 1/72 scale Armor with more than 300 tanks built, I’ve never really had any problems. If you don’t want the kit, and haven’t tossed it yet, I’ll be glad to take it off your hands. Send me an E-mail if you want to send it to me. I’ll even pay postage.
Hrmmm thats a shame to stop building it. I have two 1/72 tanks under my belt. One with the rotten vinyl elastic band tracks and the other was a link and whatever they call it. I have the King Tiger in the works now.
I normally build 1/72 scale biplanes and these tanks are to my mind much easier and more relaxing to build. Plus since I dont know that much about AFV’s I dont get all anal about whether its a 1940 or 1941 thingamyjig…
The key I found to building these though is to build them in two parts. The upper hull and lower. If you build and paint the lower hull including the tracks you have more room to get the track right. I use white glue and a jig and build 5 or 6 individual tracks then once the glue has set I bend them around the road wheels. Then use CA to properly secure them. Whilst this is fiddly and takes a couple of days, its not hard to do. The key is patience. Someone earlier mentioned masking tape, I’m going to try that since if you think about it, it should make the task much much easier.
Some one said the Revell Tiger II is hard to build. I’d have to disagree, its very very easy to build. Anyone who works in 1/35th and has worked on individual links should not have a problem. Of course until you get the upper and lower body bit sorted out, it makes it appear hard. Dont give up on these models they are small little jewels of detail. 1/35 tank takes me about 6 months to build, one of these takes two weeks if I’m motivated which means I might have built all the tanks I want to build before I’m pushing up daisies…
Just my 10 cents hrmm sorry thats 8. something with exchange.
I agree. The key is patience. I got this model when I was somewhat new into the hobby, and somehow I still managed to get the tracks on almost perfectly. It took awhile but I was able to do. I now just recently took this uncompleted model from the stash and I am just finishing it.
you said you have trouble forming it. there are a couple of thhings to do this, its just like 1/35 but smaller.
this is what I did for the inides part.
First assemble them in small groups of the required number in jigs.
then, form them around the drive sproket and idler wheel. after an hour or so, (maybe a little less) take them off, and then assemble the length tracks bottom ones first. then the top ones. Be sure to either assemble the tracks in 2 pieces or one piece with a on track not glued to the other so you can take them off for painting.
It takes time and patience but it can be done, these kits, like stated above, are great little kits with great detail.
Duke maddog do you really have 300 tanks built? Have you done a universal carrier? Or a buffalo or a Churchill? I’m gonna do a Dieppe dio in 1/72 and wonder if you have any pics of those builds.
Actually, yes I have. When you count the armored cars, softskins, and artillery, it passes 420 kits built. Mind you, they are all 1/72 or 1/76 scale too. I have three marks of the Churchill, a very old UC, and my Buffalo is a bit busted up now. It was the old Hobbycraft kit with the Jeep, but I’d lost the Jeep. I do have the buffalo built. I’ll get some pics up for you when I can, if you are looking to see Braille Scale models of those vehicles.
I have three versions of the Churchill, including the version used at Dieppe. My Universal Carrier isn’t even painted; I found out when I took it down to shoot these pics. That will be remedied soon! I posted it anyway for you to see; I’ll re-post aoither shot after it is painted and detailed if you want.
My Buffalo is in the middle of repairs as well since it took a dive awhile back, but I posted a pic of it nonetheless.
Here is a pic of my Churchill II:
This is the one used at Dieppe. It is the Airfix kit if I remember correctly. It was built over 22 years ago and refurbished/weathered about 4 years ago.
This is the Universal Carrier. Airfix again. It came with a 6 pdr gun, which I didn’t take time to shoot a pic of.
You can see the size reference with the No. 11 Blade next to it. That is one tiny little beast! I also need to paint it. I built this about 23 years ago or so as well, I hadn’t realized that I never painted it!
Here is my Buffalo.
I built this about 23 years ago, weathered it about 5 years ago. I lost all the parts to the Jeep that came with it. It recently took a dive, so the 20mm cannon and both .30 caliber weapons are missing. I have them, I just need to remount them.
And for fun, here are two more versions of the Churchill:
The Mk IV:
And the Mk VII:
I just thought I’d throw those last two up for you to see. I built them OOB so there are probably numerous discrepancies. But hey, when you’re a Teenager, you don’t care about all that; you just want to get it built quick so you can kick your wargaming opponent’s tail! [;)][:D]
Its a shame you gave up on it. The trick is to do the drive sprocket and return roller first and then connect them with the lengths of track…
Here’s my Revell 1:72 Tiger I that I recently finished. I added zimmerite by painting it in liquid glue and pressing the zim in with a small screwdriver: