Best Tiger kit

How much are you willing to pay?  Dragon makes some very nice Tiger kits that are very popular, but usually will set you back $70 or more (except maybe for the re-released orange box kits).  Tamiya is another option that can be spruced up to your heart's desire with aftermarket PE and other parts.  Lots of reviews online are available; do a quick Google search and you'll have a wealth of information.

Don

People might say I'm nuts, but I think the Italeri late Tiger with the styrene molded separate zimmerit sheets is an outstanding model. All you have to do is sand down those zimm sheets and they go on so nicely, and look pretty darned good if you don't want to spring for the Dragon "with molded-on zimmerit" offerings.  It comes with nice separate track links too, which is better than non-sagging DS tracks or Tamiya rubber bands.

That Italeri sounds good. A quick Ebay search found only one...its hard to get?  Budget for this is not a problem as long as its a good detailed kit.

How experienced a model builder are you?  Tell us about your most complex project and we can suggest most detailed/accurate kit that's commensurate w/your skills.

You value "good and detailed" as well as 1/35 or larger.  You never mention buildability --- what I would say is the most important factor...  just saying...

What I might consider as the best Tiger 1 kit for me would likely be very different than the one I might suggest for you. 

Been building since the 80's, won a few local competitons when I was 15 to 16 years old. Built two dioramas and  dozens of cars. Time passed by and all those things were discarded.

Recently built a Millenium Falcon, added LEDS and complete weathering:

IMG_5245 by nenekinkin, on Flickr

IMG_5192 by nenekinkin, on Flickr

IMG_5216 by nenekinkin, on Flickr

Stand I got for it:

20150408_164410 by nenekinkin, on Flickr

20150408_164326 by nenekinkin, on Flickr

I say I can build  a decent model, the MPC Falcon was a nightmare to get it to fit right, its known for it.  I dont know if this helps?

Very nice work,I would recommend any one of the Dragon Tigers.

I found the Italeri to be perfectly acceptable for an average to advanced modeler like myself. I'm not one of the "Friuls" crowd, nor one to use a metal barrel or hair-pulling PE parts every time. I rely m ore upon finishing skill and techniques to bring a model into "Oooh!" range, so if that's where you are, the Italeri Tiger will suit you just fine.

I have to say that that's a truly amazing ship you built there; the lighting is just over-the-top!

Hi Scarecrow Joe,

I guess that detail is not PE tool straps but accuracy to time and place.

My recommendation would be:

Dragon # 6600 for an early. Detail is outstanding!

Zvezda # 3646 for a mid. Price is a bargin!

Dragon # 6383 (molded on zimmerit) for a late. Detail again, outstanding!

Very Best Regards

Johan

Thanks for those guys! Now, the difference between early, mid and late is the Zimmerit, right?

There's more diffrence then that.Rubber rimmed wheels vs steel roadwheels,commanders cuppola,many more diffrence that an expert can point out.

Hello SC Joe,

Maybe you need to tell us what you want to do?

Do you have a particular picture in your mind, or a special time-frame or place?.

Like Leningrad 1942? Kursk 1943, France 1944?

VBR

JT

I like the AFV Tigers, not as expensive as the Dragon and not as extreme on the details side of things

Just read a bit about the Tiger 1 history, some differences and battles where it was used and I'm leaning towards Kursk Battle Tiger 1.  Considering a  diorama to keep me motivated too. Any more info on the different kits and opinions are welcome.

This thread covers what you need for a Kursk Tiger;

http://www.network54.com/Forum/47207/thread/1335890478/Kursk+Tiger+kit+question...

Scarecrow Joe

Been building since the 80's, won a few local competitons when I was 15 to 16 years old. Built two dioramas and  dozens of cars. Time passed by and all those things were discarded.

Recently built a Millenium Falcon, added LEDS and complete weathering

I say I can build  a decent model, the MPC Falcon was a nightmare to get it to fit right, its known for it.  I dont know if this helps?

I especially like the addition of the display base.

Thanks for the props!  Cool link, will get to read it tonight!

Dragon makes a Tiger I that is in the Kursk time frame.  You will have to look at evil bay to find it.  It is where I got mine.  That and the decals for Wittmanns.

moose

Just got the lastest Dragon Tiger I from Scale Hobbyist. It has the crew figures too

Don't forget about Academy.

I am currently building the Dragon Late Version and it is a good kit,,, lots of detail. But the AFV Tiger is another good option as well. Hope this helps!!

Hi again,

Have a look a the Zvezda kit.

It represents and early T1 at Kursk.

No Zimmerit and the tracks are a bit fiddly, vinyl style but quite detailed (Open guide-horns).

Or wait for the new Dragon Tunisian. But that is going to be twice the price of the Star :)

Best Regards

Johan

  I like the DML offering of the early Tiger I(initial production,individual links tracks,aluminum gun barrel,photo-etch parts, well detailed plastic parts).

  The Modeler's Guide to the Tiger Tank: A Complete and Comprehensive Guide to Modeling the Tiger I and Tiger II in 1/35th Scale

by Patrick A Stansell, Bruce Culver, Mitsuo Terada

   One of the authors mentions that  the DML kit took care of all the mods he needed to make for an accurate initial production version in an article written Military Illustrated Modeller, or in the book. I can't remember.

I do not think that Dragon #6252 is available any longer.

#6600 is available and it can be a platform to build tactical # 123 of s.H.Pz.Abt 503.

Tactical # 123 was equipped with a Pz. III turret basket which is included in the kit.

The pictures are from the Bundesarchive and posted here for reference only.

Best Regards

Johan

Check with Sprue Brothers, Roll Models, Squadron, Hannant's (England).