NATE - Thanks for the good comments. You are right about the width of the zim. This one will stay as is but I will play around a little bit more to see if I can improve before applying to a new build.
TONY - The interior is something I was definitely pleased with. I am just surprised at how much can be seen. I had to get the turret closed up because everytime I came back from a break, I kept planning on putting more stuff in it. Finally I had to tell myself that was enough. Glad you liked it! The paint is still a few days away but am very excited to see how it goes on and looks.
DAVE - Sounds as you are saying the same as Nate about the zim. Thanks for pointing that out. I will have to try to make them smaller on future builds. Using this medium (polyseamseal) width was the only thing that proved a bit difficult. Had to work quickly. As soon as I pulled the zim tool through, had to use a square flat end blade and cut away the excess. If to slow when cut it would peel the whole run of zim that was just layed. Just need more practice. You are right about the inside being cramped. Did not find many photo's but the ones I did showed the inside just packed full of stuff. No room at all.
BILL - Great to hear about the hatch's. That helps on this build and ones to come. So with the Tiger I will have all of them the same color as the exterior base (dunkelgelb). Very true about hatchs being open even in combat. Not sure if any of you have been in AFV's but on average, with everything button-up you cannot see anything around the vehicle to about 10-15 feet somrtimes more. Anything in the distance is all tunneled into the periscopes giving a very limited field of view leaving the crew and vehicle vulnerable. Thanks for the comments and much thanks for the info.
The reason I keep asking about the zim is it is new to me and I want my Tiger to come out nice. Also, still have a Sturmtiger and Jagdpanther waiting to be built. These two will also be receving zim. There will be more experiments with the polysealseam to see if I can make the width smaller. Also, yesterday finally received some Tamiya Polyester Putty. It took about a month to get here. Had to order it from Japan. So will play around with that before my next zim build. Some of you may onder why I do not just get the after market zim. I will admit that it looks good but after paying average $40 - $60 a kit I am not willing to spend almost the same for he after market. Besides I do enjoy trying to figure it out (sometimes). Well thanks for looking and tonight will take a break from building, I am tierd.
Rob