Sources for Current Tiger I Upgrade Parts

Have a look on Scalemates for what's out there. It will be a fairly comprehensive list of all products. But some will be old OOP, and others will be newer and available.

The Tank Workshop (I'll look for the link and add it later) was one of the best sources of updates to old Tigers (and other panzers).

Remember, that back in the day, each manufacturers' Tiger kits were slightly different; some items made for the old Tamiya kit would not work on the old Italeri kit.

So you have to do some research to see if what is available will work on the kit you want to use it on.

Sprue Brothers is a good source of aftermarket accessories. They took over Great Models who used to carry just about everything (or had a comprehensive datebase of all available items). https://spruebrothers.com/

As Stik says, Scale Mates is a very good model accessory database too. Look for the exact kit you have and it will list just about everything that is and once was available for it. It will also direct you to a newer boxing if the kit was reissued.

http://www.tankworkshop.com/newshop/

Here's their link; they list 110 products, but older stuff made for the older kits isn't listed.

No one wanted to spend the big bucks on aftermarket items for an ancient kit when a new, modern kit would cost less than the aftermarket items needed to bring that old kit up to modern standards.

In other words, why spend $40 on Fruil tracks, $20 on PE, $15 for an aluminum barrel and $40 on resin update sets for a kit worth $15 when the latest "Uber kit" runs $50, includes individual link tracks, some PE, metal barrel and is a dream to build?

stikpusher

Have a look on Scalemates for what's out there. It will be a fairly comprehensive list of all products. But some will be old OOP, and others will be newer and available.

 

Looks like a good option. The funny thing is, I was directed to this site at various times when Googling different parts. Most often the items were sold out or status unknown; I would simply click back out. Apparently I did not recognize this site for what it was. I messed with it a little bit based on your recommendation, but I will have to try again when I have more time to really dive into it.

Rob Gronovius

http://www.tankworkshop.com/newshop/

Here's their link; they list 110 products, but older stuff made for the older kits isn't listed.

No one wanted to spend the big bucks on aftermarket items for an ancient kit when a new, modern kit would cost less than the aftermarket items needed to bring that old kit up to modern standards.

In other words, why spend $40 on Fruil tracks, $20 on PE, $15 for an aluminum barrel and $40 on resin update sets for a kit worth $15 when the latest "Uber kit" runs $50, includes individual link tracks, some PE, metal barrel and is a dream to build?

 

Thank you. I will check out those sites. Looks like the tank workshop site was probably a pretty good resource. It's for sale though so probably won't be around much longer.

True enough. I don't disagree that the price of aftermarket adds up and a new kit with good parts can be a bargin. That being said, I still see plenty of people buying metal tracks (because its their preference), PE, etc. so those prices still climb pretty quick. I think the other consideration though is that some of those nice kits have limited runs, get discontinued, or are simply difficult to come by depending on where you live. I was watching a Dragon Tiger this week on the bay... run of the mill, not a Whittman or something unique... ended up selling for $150. I can buy a discounted old kit, throw a few parts on it and still have a lot of fun and come in way under a price tag like that. But I do get your point. I am sure there is a marketing strategy to it as well. Even new kits from Tamiya and the like still come with the rubber band tracks which I personally don't enjoy.

Also, I often use the inexpensive kits to practice or try new methods. I hate to try something new on a good kit to find out I don't like the result.

I understand, but I'm just pointing out that many of these aftermarket companies no longer make items for older kits that are long out of production. Your best bet is to search sites like the FaceBook group Scale Model Graveyard to see if you can find someone who has one sitting in the stash unused.

I've got plenty of "useless" resin sets (useless as in the conversion they are for has been superceded by a complete kit) that are awaiting someone who someday wants the old set.

And yes, there are modelers who automatically use metal tracks, aluminum barrels, photo etch, etc. even if the kit provided ones are of good quality.

But for every person who uses metal tracks, there are guys who set aside the individual track links and ask if anyone has any unused one-piece vinyl tracks.