Steel Cats (Sept. 2012-Aug. 2013)

I am now up to speed, having read the previous 26 pages. The badges look great.

Joe, you talked me into it. I've had the Tamiya Mid Tiger kit for a while and originally put off building it because of the zimm. Everything happens for a reason I guess. So I'll go with Cavalier zimm and maybe a set of tracks.

Eric, congrats on the job! Was there myself a little over a year ago. Had been unemployed for a while and going to school and all of a sudden was working 65 - 70 hours a week. As you said, one extreme to the other. It's been tough but better than being unemployed. And to make it official, I will be building the Tamiya Tiger 1 Mid Production. If time permits, maybe I can work in a second build.

Tony

Thanks Tony. Yes this isn't my dream job, but it beats having no job. I just hope and do think I could learn to like it.

Tony - Outstanding! Yeah I have the Eduard Zim in the Big Ed set. Must admit I'm a bit apprehensive on gluing that on. As far as tracks go I rolled the idea around in my head about getting a set but I believe I will suffice with the kit supplied ones as they look pretty nice to me and I don't want to sink myself too deep into this being as it is first armor model in many many years. Lots of other new concepts to play with here. Which brings me to a question I have for everyone. I have picked up a fews bottles of Mig pigments over the past year in anticipation of building my armor kits. Dust, rust, mud etc... Now, I have not put these to use yet so I was just wondering if you all could offer up some tips and analysis on using these. Thanks.

                                                                              Joe

Joe -- Mig pigments have become an indispensible part of my armour repertoir in the last couple of years. They are very easy to use and go a long, long way. I use a selection of soft and stiff paint brushes to apply them, straight from the jar, dry, in tiny, tiny amounts. I use them dry, with no topcoating, and apply them as the last round of work. I use a stiff brush to grind them into the surface of decals, creating the impression that dust is adhering to painted-on markings. They are the last round of work before adding the fragile stuff, such as a radio mast, and calling the model done. I have a few jars but must get some more, they're great to use and very 'immediate' in the effect they create. If you overdo it, you can wash them away, wait til the surface is dry and start again. I use them for aircraft as well, they create marvelous exhaust streaks and gun carbon!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

I did a bit of stash-diving today and while AI still haven't turned up the Cavalier simmertit set, I found an Eduard King Tiger turned barrel I didn't know I had, so I'm ahead another item... M/TB379

I'm probably going to switch to the Jagdpanther. With my limited time, I just don't see getting the Tiger done.

Joe, I've been using Mig and more recently AK Interactive pigments, washes and filters for the last few years and I love them.

The techniques that Mike described are spot on and an additional one that I use is to apply them wet by mixing up the pigments with white spirit and apply to the running gear and other parts (sparingly).  Once the white spirit evaporates you are left with very convincing caked on dirt or dried mud.

Also remember with your pigments, darker on the bottom of the vehicle and then lighter as you go up.  The first few times I used them I ended up with a very monochrome looking tank because I used the same color all over.

Cheers

Darson -- hiya, mate! Interesting technique with the white spirit, must pick up some and give it a go...

M/TB379

Yo Eric my man...  It's not on your list but would not the Ferdiand/Elefants qualify being Panzerjager Tiger P designated?

If this has come up already I am sorry.  Just can't get myself to go through 26 pages.  And oh yes... it's laziness pure and simple

That's a grey area Marc. We decided along time ago to go with just Panthers and Tigers. I guess technically they would qualify, but the Elefant means Elephant. So...........

wingnut:  I read your "OOB" approach on your Tiger and almost fell out of my chair!!!...then I read your "yeah right" realization...YOU OOB?!...yeah right is RIGHT!!!

Wingman_kz & JOE RIX:  The Tamiya Tiger Mid is a great choice if you feel like you're still gettin' your feet wet with armor.  I'm building that one too and I even have the Big Ed PE zim set!  Just over a month until we can start!

I may change my mind on my build, seeing how I just received word from the hobby shop that my Dragon Otto Carius Tiger I just arrived today.

DBoger

I may change my mind on my build, seeing how I just received word from the hobby shop that my Dragon Otto Carius Tiger I just arrived today.

Lucky Don. Does that come with DS tracks?

Not sure, I wont be able to pick it up until Sunday

Just Called the hobby shop and confirmed it, it comes with DS Tracks :( already have a set of Friulmodel middle-late tracks here, but now have another set on order to replace these.

Thanks Jimmy, thats just what i needed to read. I have a 3 or 4 kits with those DS tracks, includeing two CH kits. I was not impressed when i saw them. Given the price of these kits i was hopeing for decent Magic Tracks, not glorified rubber bands. But after some thought, i decided to try them rather than do my usual and get Fruils. But i am still not convinced, and now i read that.

Well, if the DS tracks on my build don't go well, at least i know i can get some Fruils within the week.

Magic tracks would be nice for what we pay for these kits, but hey, I spend just as much if not more on aftermarket stuff for my tanks.

I but lots of AM as well. But for my CH kits i haven't spent as much as i would haved hed they been Tamiya kits. All in all, i reckon the total spend is not much different. But i could do without the extra 330 for a decent set of tracks.

Hi Bish. I have this link to help with DS tracks. 

tiger1.info/.../DragonDSLateTracks.html

Sorry I can't participate more during the week guys.

|Thanks for the link Tiger. One advantage i have is that my build has side skirts, so i can hide any thing i have to trim behind there. Then if i don't like zthem, i can always replace the tracks on the other kits i have with them. I will give them a try at least.

I take it thins are busy at work Tiger. A bummer, but better than being out of work.

Well, i am sure if you ask nicely, the owner of the thread may extend the GB for you.

tigerman, everything will be just fine. Carry on...

Wingman_kz

tigerman, everything will be just fine. Carry on...

Thanks, but it does suck that I can't visit more and participate. I'll do my best to keep up.

Hi guys -- found the Cavalier Zimmerit set for the Tiger -- now all I'm waiting on is the AM etched grills and I'm all set to go.

M/TB379

Glad you found it T-Bolt. Would have sucked to buy another only to find it later

Mind if I join in this?

I've already got everything I need for the model and I had planed on starting it 2 years ago but stuff kept getting in the way. One thing. Later down the road I plan to turn this into a diorama, is that allowed here?

I have a Dragon Tiger I late model 6406 with Eduard Zimmerit, Friulmodel tracks, Voyager Model PE set, Aber Turret Storage Bin, Armorscale 88mm gun barrel and Bison Decals.

i90.photobucket.com/.../000_0045.jpg

Glad to have you aboard Kentucky Colonel.

wow, that looks really nice KC!!  You went all out with the AM goodies!

Eric - I'll let you know my official entry by the start date.  I'm still set on 1/72 scale; aiming to do a Dragon quad build.    Just trying to find the kits; hard to find online  I'm going to be in Los Angeles next week and definitely stopping by Brookhurst Hobbies in Garden Grove.  Hopefully they'll have the kits I want.

I found a CMK barrel, grabbed it up. Still looking at research, but pretty much settled on one of the T2s rousted out to defend the Henschel factory. That way I can use my late tracks and no zimm.

Interestingly enough, the CMK two-piece barrel came with a Porsche-type mantlet, and the one-piece barrel had a Henschel mantlet in the package. Isn't that backwards? I wanted the barrel more than the mantlet anyway and bought the two-piece, Porsche combination, so no biggie, but I thought it odd....