Well started this bad boy yesturday as I had an itching to build somthing with tracks. My first Tamiya armor and my first 1/48 armor. Build has fallen together so far.
Box Art
Hull Bottom, Tamiya like the cast metal, more real so they say.
Top section
Top sitting on bottom, Tamiya provide screws to fix top and bottom together
Top fixed one and skirt supports fixed on
Hull basically finished, minus wheels and breakables
Beast ready for paint
Not sure what camo I will go for yet, see how I feel when I paint it I guess. I also plan on putting her on a diorama. I have the Tamiya Brick wall, sand bag and barricade set in 48 scale so diorama will insclude something from that not sure what else yet.
I think Tamiya is really on the ball with all this 1/48 stuff. Really digging it! I know that the cast lower hull probably does nothing more than add to the kit cost, but at the very least I like them because they add a little more weight to the build…give it a more stout feeling when you pick it up (but of course this feature has nothing to do with visual apperances. [:D] )
I think the hull bottom is more of a gimic. They were going for heft rather then accuracy. Less toy-like.
My favorite tank. I almost bought one myself, but decided to stick to 1/35 since that encompassed my whole stash. One thing I’d definitely add is PE engine grills.
Phil- thanks, currently trying to sort out correct scheme for desired paint job will apply then and post more pics.
Brian/New Hampshire- the metal hull does add a bit of weight, it weighs in heavier than a 1/35 t-34 fully finished and the panthers missing all wheels, tracks, paint and a few other small parts.
Rick- leaning towards the “Panther striped” cam at the
Tigerman- I have the early production tiger in 48 scale as well I’m thinking about going PE with. Not to concerned about this one as shes going to have a bit of brush etc attached which would obsure some of the added PE, Should of gone the metal barrel though.
I can’t recall if you’ve done German Armour before, but if you’re using Tamiya paint, The Dark Yellow (XF-60) looks much better when cut 50/50 with XF-55 Deck Tan.
Rick, Thanks. Feels good to be making progress on things after taking an (unwanted) break.
Anthony, I regret not using an AM barrel, but happy to be doing every thing else stock except for some bush to be added afterwards. Still dont know if I will go a basic base or a diorama yet.
Looking nice - great camo. Always glad to see more 1/48 armor here. I have this kit and someone gave me Eduard PE zimmerit for it - not sure if that’s going to work out, but should be interesting.
Nice to see this one moving along again, just don’t make us wait quite so long for the next update…the mob will get restless and start looking for their torches and pitchforks. [;)] [Y]
Waikong, I’m yet to do my first zimmerit, but doing it on these Tamiya 48 scale kits and an Eduard PE kit it shouldnt be to hard, everything has just fallen together. My only issue is there is almost no space between the turret and the hull, if your not careful it can scratch the paint work when rotating.
Bill, Got the tracks on last night so should have another update soon.
tigerman, the quandry took me more than few hours of research I was eventually able to track some photos showing it was a side application scheme only.
This while not a great shot shows only a single colour turret/hull tops
