Is photo-etched zimmerit the way to go?

I can see where both ways would have their advantaqges, from a certain view.

Buying the kit with pre-made zimmermit would indeed be nice, saving the time and hassle of covering your project with putty and hoping for the right scale. However, as a learning experience, the putty method could give you valuable sculpting and scale modeling experience. I guess it all boils down to personal choice. I, for one, would go with the photo etched set, as I am truly horrible at sculpting putty.

demono69

I have used all types of Zimmerit, whether it be Resin, Brass, or Putty. I could see how Tamiya's Panther G with Zim would be tempting, especially for those who struggle with applying puttied zimmerit. Photoetched Zimmerit is very easy to use, and all you'll need is superglue or epoxy glue to apply it. I prefer epoxy glue because it gives you a little working time to make sure the Zimmerit is flush to the surface and even. The only downfall in my opinion is that is looks a little to uniform, and sometimes the ends of the Zimmerit sheets do not meet up perfectly flush at the corners (especially on the rear).

Also those Tamiya kits packaged with teh Zimmerit are a little pricey, and if you prefer prefabricated zimmerit..to go the Cavalier Resin Zimmerit Route. It is alot less uniform, and looks alot better then photoetched brass Zim.

I know you said that you have tried puttied zimmerit. Why don't you like it? It took me a long time and practice on scrap models and sheet styrene to get it done. But I wouldn't use anything else. i have tried all types of putty..from Milliput, Tamiya Basic Putty, to Squadron Putty. But nothing beats Tamiya's Polyester two part Putty. I learned how to do it by looking at how the Japanese modellers in Armor Modelling magazine had done theirs. The Tamiya Zimmerit Application tool is very easy to use and ensures your zimmerit is to scale. Moving it through the Polyester Putty is very easy and it hardens like an epoxy. I recommend checking it out if you can.

Cheers

Rob

OK Moses your testing my curiosity by suggesting that I try putty first. Fortunately, you make it sound easy enough with a little practice. I tend to agree that the photo-etched zimmerit looks a little fake. I hadn't thought of Tamiya's special tool. Maybe I will save some money by buying the Panther sans zimmerit and try doing it myself. I agree with demono69 that I might gain some new skills. Moses- how much is the Cavalier zim and where may I find it? Thanks guys.

I'd go resin. You can still manipulate it after it's applied. You can sand or scrape off some lines for weathering or battle damage. The price might be more, but I think worth it. Verlinden has a kit for the panther "G" #1259 for Tamiya.
http://store.yahoo.com/internethobbies/ver135pangzi.html
Might be able to find it cheaper elsewhere

I tend to avoid German tanks that require zimmerit. Having said that, I saw an AMPS group member using the Cavalier zimmerit on a jadgpanther and it looked great. After doing a little research and trading, I picked up a DML PzKpfw IV J and then got a set of Cavalier for it. I went for the Cavalier because it looked much better than the PE zimmerit. That stuff looked to flat for me.

I haven't begun the model, but the Cavalier looks fragile but easy to work with.

Moses
where do you get the Tamiya Zimmerit application tool? I've been searching but haven't found one yet? I appreciate any links or suggestions

Eric

I found one here: http://www.hometown-hobbies.com/inc/pdetail?v=1&pid=20711

I have had a set of the Tamiya Zimmerit tools for a long time, and Tamiya has just re-released it a few months ago and is available. I picked up more sets to keep just in case they decide to every discontiue production again. Smith M. has given a link, and that is the tools. They come with 4 applicators. Two # 7's for Tigers and King Tigers and 2 #5's for Panthers and Panzer IV's, etc. One tool has a large rake that can cover an entire hull side in one passing (jogging up or down to break the patern every 2mm or so) and another tool with a medium size rake on one end and a small one on the other for hard to reach areas. I really recommend picking it up.

As for Cavalier, it is an Australian based company, and is excellent in my opinion. They sell zimmerit from anything to a Panzer IV H to a Sturm Tiger to a King Tiger. They also sell generic patterns that you can cut to size, like a tile based zimmerit pattern for a Panther G. I buy mine through a local Armor hobby store called Baseline models here on Long Island, New York. They do mail order and are listed in the venders section of Fine Scale Magazine.

Believe me when I say, I used to have a hard hard hard time simulating zimmerit with putty. Especially when someone like Tony Greenland makes it look so easy with Milliput. But that type of Epoxy Putty is vey hard to get flat and even and is a real pain to drag the tool through it wihout lifting (even after scribing the plastic for better adhesion). After using Tamiyas two part Polyester Putty, doing Zimmerit has never been easier. I have almost completed a Konigstiger Porsche Turret with this Polyester Zimmerit. I will try to get pics taken and up as soon as possible so you can see for yourself.

Rob

Tanks guys

Eric

QUOTE: Originally posted by erush Moses where do you get the Tamiya Zimmerit application tool? I've been searching but haven't found one yet? I appreciate any links or suggestions Eric

I see them hangin on peg racks at local hobby shops. Run just under $10 for the set.

Thanks again for the valuable input, now I'm really confused on what to do next!

tigerman, i just put a new thread up showing how I use Tamiya's Polyester Putter and the Tamiya Zimmerit Applicator.

Rob