That's a lot of brass Anthony. I wonder if those tracks would fit the Dragon kit's sprocket teeth? I'm debating whether to sub them out or not.

If for some fortunate reason I finish up my Jagdpanther quickly, I will start my Tiger soon after. 

tigerman

That's a lot of brass Anthony. I wonder if those tracks would fit the Dragon kit's sprocket teeth? I'm debating whether to sub them out or not.

If for some fortunate reason I finish up my Jagdpanther quickly, I will start my Tiger soon after. 

You got that right Erik,I will just pick and choose and use what I can handle or see.

OK fellas, a little update from me (of all people)...

I managed to get through the construction of the road wheels - all 32 of them. Whew! My fingers still don't feel right after holding these for sanding, chipping up, etc.

And a little chassis work and dry fit of the wheels here.

And then a question for the Steel Cat experts. What is part M18 (lower right), and how is it located? As you can see, the instuctions are less than helpful here as I'd be more or less guessing and eyeballing it. Any help is appreciated.

(Panther Ausf. A Late) 

Thanks! Time for a break - and a Barleywine Ale.

I have just checked my Panzer Tracts and it doesn't mention that item. One sketch has it in outline but doesn't mentiong what it is. Its located right about the bump stop for the No 1 road wheel. A photo of an Ausf A in contruction doesn't have it. The sketch that does have it shows it only on the right side.

Hey wow, nice work guys!!! Didn't have any plans this weekend so I pulled out the Tiger and started work- so far about half done on assembly. It's nice to be able to move so fast, on the AFV Club kit I've been working on I've had to stop and fill injection pin holes constantly. The Dragon kit has a bunch of parts but so far she's went together like silk. Will get photos posted when she's together and ready to paint.

Hasenpfeffer: Sorry, wish I could help but I honestly have no clue. I believe the double headed arrow does indicate it is an optional part, so I suppose you could just leave it off if you can't find any more information on it.

Hasenpfeffer looking good so far.

Keep up the great work guys.

Kim

Assembled all 18 paired roadwheels yesterday, plus extended the putty zim along the mantlet -- more pics soon...

M/TB379

so far so good, starting on the 1/72 dragon tiger...

I actually got started today-spent a couple of hours and have the lower hull/suspension about 75% complete.  The detail on the Dragon Panther G Late Smart kit is very nice but the instructions leave a lot to be desired.  Still a lot of work to be done. 

Next big task will be choosing a camo scheme...I like all three choices:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10050420t2/60/2

Based on limited research, options 1 & 3 are verified by photo....option 2 (unidentified unit Balaton 1945) is questionable.

Hope to finish steps 1 & 2 tomorrow....

You guys are getting a head start on me. I'm just too busy right now plus I'm having trouble with my coumpter and trying to load pictures. Once I get my work done and get my coumpter fixed then I'll try to catch up. Glad we have more than enough time.

Looking REAL GOOD everybody... I lost count how many kits have started already on first weekend.  Can't wait to join as soon as I am done with my little Pz III!  

Starting line up - Tamiya Kit 35227 (Tiger I Ausfuhrung Afrika) - must have include Friulmodel track (ATL-25)   Voyager Model PE 35061, RB metal barrel, and a little dated modeling guide "The Modeler's guide to the Tiger Tank"  ... Armor86 

Bobbailey, i love that second camo with the ambush styled-scheme.

Hasenpfeffer, those tires look awesome. How did you create that look?

Malone, Armor86, great to see you guys attacking your builds.

Eric-yes, that (435) is my favorite as far as being 'unique'...however, based on limited internet research, the paint scheme for this Panther is the three color camo scheme, whitewashed and mud applied....not sure if I can replicate that.....

421 could be either red brown/yellow or green/yellow based on which article you want to go with.

121 seems to be an accurate scheme also, based on b&w photos and Panthers leaving the M.A.N. factory in the late war were painted green.

Here's one of the links that I gathered this info.

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=100384&page=1

Scroll half way down and you'll see the pics.

Hi guys,

Some progress worth a pic or two -- here's the completed roadwheels:

Note the comploeted barrel, with the zim carried forward in the mantlet. This is Tony Greenland's research and I'm sure he's better at that aspect than me, so I'm trusting his interpretation. Here's a closer look:

Hopefully the hand-done zim won't look too out of place against the factory stuff, which I'll be getting into before long.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Thanks for the compliments, guys. This being my first ever GB, it helps make me feel welcome.  As you all know, it's a lot different posting than just reading.

Gamera & Bish - I appreciate you looking thru your resources for me... I guess this is an excuse to start building up my library... Having only Squadron's "Panther in Action" just isn't going to cut it if I plan on building more of these (which I do). Any recommendations for "must haves" on Panthers? (Was planning on the Achtung Panzer book on this subject to start.)

tigerman - I didn't do anything that special... but glad you like the result. I do too. I just used a coarse sanding stick to remove the seam, remnants of the sprue and just generally roughen up the tire. I then used the corner of a 3 sided metal file to create the nicks, etc. Carefully of course as it could be easy to put a rather large gouge in them... I used varying pressure and just a random pattern as I rotated them in my fingers.

Hope that helps... 

Thanks Hasenpfeffer. Seems simple, but the results speak for themselves.

Mike fantastic zimmerit.

I would suggest that if you plan on building a few of a particular subject, then a varied referance libary is very handy. But if i had to suggest just one series of books then that would be Panzer Tracts. Not seen the Achtung Panzer series myself. But i am also looking to expand further. Just be aware. Often, the more referance material you have, the more confuseing it can get.

Armor86, how much and where did you get that cool Tiger book?

Morning Tigerman - Purchase the book 6-7 years ago thru local hobby shop, likely out of print but should find it online. Title "The Modeler's Guide to the Tiger Tank" pub. 2003 - great resource on both Tiger I & II - provides numerous after market products, complete and comprehensive guide to modeling the Tiger  I & II in 1/35th scale - models - kit lists - references - wartime photos - drawings - By Patrick A. Stansell, Military Miniatures in Review. Ampersand Publishing .... paid around $25.  Purchased both hardbound (online) and softbound copies (hobby shop). Armor86

DANG!!!I tripped coming right out of the gates!!!  I opened up my Tiger I Mid box and realized I had started this baby already!!!  Not much done, just some work on the indies...but I have to keep my conscience clean.

No sweat though...I have the Late version (untouched) ready to roll and I had planned on grabbing the Tamiya Early version (grey/Leningrad, same as Tojo72) anyway to round out my iInitial, early, mid & late Tigerfest. 

Eric:  If you would please, scratch off my Mid entry and just leave the Tiger I Late.  I'm determined to do a winter camo as part of this GB so I'll let you know if/when I get the Early kit.

Steve, it doesn't sound like your too far along. You can build it if you'd like.

Suspension done:

I was going to upload this last night but Photobucket was temporarily down.

More soon,

Mike/TB379

Just to let you know, it's going to be 2 or 3 weeks before I get started on the Tiger. I really want to use some AM parts on this build and just haven't had the cash to order them yet. Daughter going back to school, car parts. You know how it goes. But I'm in.

Tony

Couple more reference books on Tiger Tanks - photo below ... Tigers in Combat I and Tigers in Combat II by Wolfgang Schneider - Stackpole publisher (2003 - 2005) and Verlinden Publications 'On Target N 1 Modelling Special "The German Tiger Tanks" (1998) .... Armor86 

I like this tip / technique Hasenpfeffer. The PHOTO of your technique is very helpful. Thanks for sharing!

Stupid question, but is the Panther and Jagdpanther's tow-cable the same length? I'm eyeing some Panther Karaya tow cables right now and might pick them up.

tigerman

Steve, it doesn't sound like your too far along. You can build it if you'd like.

Cool!  I just might do that.  I still like the idea of building the Early version too...hmmm.....

Steve, Build the Mid. Prod. C'mon stay with me here Buddy!!

All off to good starts guys,

I'm not sure what's happeniing here in England but I called my LHS yesterday to check on the status of the order for my kit for this GB (Dragon Tiger I Ausf E kit #6383) and they chased the order, rang me back and proceeded to tell me that the UK distibutor is out of stock of this kit. I asked them to check stock of certain pre-zimmed Panthers from Dragon and they are all out of stock too!

I've surfed several UK websites and it does seem that Tiger 6383 and most of their Panthers cannot be found in the UK?

I'm able to wait as I'm still working on my Panzer II but Tiger 6383 cannot be found? God darn it - they better have it by the end of September!

What's going on?

Cheers guys,

Ben