Academy Tiger tank, which one?

Academy makes good armor kits. Their Tigers are a bit older, but this was one of their early AFV kits that was not a clone or knockoff of somebody else's molds, and where they started down their own path. I have not built any of their Tigers, yet, so I  can not vouch for which is the best of the bunch. But I sure would not mind building one someday.

CD: I recall you're still getting your feet wet into armor kits.  You're correct that the modern iterations of Tiger I kits span the range of complexity, accuracy and buildabilty.  I would highly recommend either Tamiya Initial Tiger (Kit 35216) or Tamiya (35227) Afrika Tiger.

Very buildable.  Much more accurate than Academy (which I tend to dislike).  These 2 Tamiya kits are good for the novice to intermediate builder. (Tamiya makes other Tiger 1s.  The 1974 kit is of same quality as your Panther A kit.  Their 1989 kit (35146) was a revolutionary kit -- but requires zimmerit).

If you search other AFV-related websites, you could score one of these in the $20 range since lots of guys would have them in their stash -- rendered obsolete because they went and bought the latest DML or AFV Club offering.

Editorial: I dislike Academy because they consistently cut corners in terms of accuracy in an age when a quality model is not difficult to obtain.   My opinion only.

One issue with the kit with interior is that Academy used the early model with early interior and added some mid parts to the exterior. So if it bothers you, you end up with a mid version with an early interior.

I do prefer the older Tamiya Afrika Tiger though, very nice, relaxing build.

Thank you, I will go with the Tamiya kit then

I'll put out a vote for the Tamiya Tiger I Late. Nice, easy build that comes with indy tracks no less. If zimmerit isn't to your liking, then there are after-market parts.

For a newer armor guy, I think the indy tracks and the need to add zimmerit might make it less enjoyable.  Thus mine and Robin's suggestion for Tamiya's Initial or Afrika Tiger.

My opinion only: I think the PE and paper zimmerit products do not look realistic whatsoever.  Back in the day, ShowModelling made paper zimmerit products for many subjects.  Never really took hold.  PE requires puttying the seams and can't do anything about rounded surfaces.  Too much work, visible seams.  To me, it's befuddling why Tamiya should go down the stick on paper zimmerit products.  In the zimmerit realm, Dragon has them beaten without a doubt.

Is their zimm a paper product or soemthing else? I have not seen it used firsthand. Only on the sheet in a LHS, where the stuff was quickly snatched up and not restocked. That as an aside, it is something simple, and pricewise quite affordable,  for the modeler to use as opposed to all the various AM zimm products or methods to apply the stuff that can be daunting to the newer armor modeler. I think perhaps that is the reason that Tamiya chose the path that they did. They also make their nice zimmerit rakes/saws for use with their or other brands of putties for those who like to got that route.  Just as not everybody cares to run with Fruils for AM tracks for various reasons. it's just another option that we have to choose from. And choice is a good thing.

HI CD,

To your original question...

The old Academy offerings are not accurate but build up without big issues.

I like the full interior one, you will need to decide how you want the additional detail to be made visible in the best way

It is not accurate but it looks the part when you are done :)

OoB;

If you are worried about accuracy - go DML

If you want to display the interior - go Academy

I can see only one reason for going with the Tamiya kits.

They build well.

But the turret shape is inaccurate and they lack interior.

Very Best Regards

Johan