ARMOR - Tamiya 1/35th Tiger 1 MID PRO Group build

Ok, I finally got hold of the digital camera from the lab. Here goes, hope you guys like, and there are a few more pics on my site, both in the gallery, and the work bench.







Anyone down for a Panther group build now?!?! LOL

Kumakichi, you have done a nice job bud. I really like it. I have found that water slide decals are not the best for zimmerit. How did you find it when applying them? I either use a stencil or dry transfer.

EDOG, what can I say man. I love it it. The zim looks fantastic and the figgies really give some nice scale to that beast. The amount of extra detail you have done looks great. I love the paint shades and camo. You really have done a great job bud. Not sure I am gonna post my progress now . Oh I am so up for a Tamiya Panther G Early or Late build group in the near future (not a big fan of DML's Panthers).

I didn't get pics taken yet (I am so damn slow), my detail is middle of the road, because I was taking to long building the stupid thing, so I just detailed what I thought was lackig in the molding department. Definately not as detailed as Edogs.

Cheers

Mo/Rob

Thanks Moses. I had a tough time positioning my decals. I put some setting solution on the model and then put the decal on hoping I could float it into position then place it. But it grabbed really hard. I nearly tored one of the decals trying to get it to slide a little. I just had to settle.

I think next time I might try stencils for a zimmerit finish. How are stencils to work with? I can't say I've ever tried them.

Really nice job Edog. Really looks good. Nice details and nice pic's too.

I'm not sure about the Panther build. I'm kinda thinking of trying my hand at a 1/16 Tiger. A Panther does sound cool though

Eric, absolutely beautiful job. I love the zimm, and the figs are fantastic. Nice, subtle shading to the "clothing". I'm still experimenting on that stuff, and not making much progress.

My build has kind of stalled a bit with the trip to Edmonton and all. I worked on the remaining wheels yesterday and got all the rubber painted black. But in dry fitting the wheels, I found I need to go touch up some of the base color. And I liked the pics I saw above of the camo pattern done to the wheels off the tank. I may do that before I mount them.

Have a nice day.

Bill

Speaking of "doing a Panther build"...Has anybody noticed that Aber has a HEAVY set out for the 1/35 DML Panther A & D!! I assume it's comprable to the heavy Tiger set for 1/35! Costs about $60 at Great Models. Crap, I hate it when they come out with these things. Now I REALLY want one! (Of course, for you 1/16 dudes, this is cheep stuff!) Eduard's supposed to have a set out for the early A and another for the D. I haven't seen them hit the shelves, though. I've been waiting to start my D until I can get my hands on one. It has just enough differences in the detail to make the D look a little different than the early A.

Happy modeling;

Bill

ive found a Panther early A Eduard PE set now im after a late A

I believe they have the late A in stock at Great Models...providing you want the one for the Tamiya and are not looking for the one for the DML.

Cheers to you;

Bill

OK, after working on this Tiger I for a while, I think I am ready to post a few pics. Everything is done, including the drive sprokets, idler wheels, road wheels, etc..but I didn't picture them (because we all know what they look like ). I paint my wheels and tracks seperate from the model so, I haven't attached them yet. I still have some cleaning up of the zim to do on the gun mantlet, as well as fill in some spots on the rear end. The zimmerit was made in the usually way...with Tamiya Polyester Putty. I didn't go with the etched brass side skirts because I am not aiming for the battle damaged look some have been shooting for. These pics are definately still work in progress. Any opinions are very welcomed..it makes us better modellers



























Cheers

Rob

Ok Moses, my opinion. The other day you said you were ready to throw it across the room, well if you do...I'm gonna smack you..hard!!! That looks absolutely great!!! Especially the zim. Keep it up, can't wait to see it finished

Eric

Sweet Rob ..... excellent looking build so far.

Moda;

I notice you keep saying you "have to get in and fix the zim"! Where??? I can't see anything wrong with it. It looks fantastic. I wish mine looked half as well. You've done a great job. I should give you the laural wreaths as you are the Emperor of Zim!!

Looking forward to seeing the rest.

Bill

Terrific job Moses. Looks great and you sure know how to do zimmerit! I like the cables too. Nice touch. Can't wait to see it in paint

Moses;

What did you use for those cables?? They look terrific!

Bill

Thanks guys.

Bill the cables are from Aber. I have also used them on my Konigstiger and I will get pics of them up soon, as I just finished the build on it also. They are very flexible, and are very easy to work with, but are quite expensive.

Well, they sure look nice. It even looks like they have the correct left-hand twist to them. I'm impressed. I haven't seen them outside the "super" detail kit, though.

Where did you find them? And about how much??

I'm going to the region 10 IPMS convention this Saturday, and I hope to find LOTS of goodies for some good prices. But we'll see.
If I can just get my hands on some Model Kasten tracks for this beastie, I'll be happy. (Oh, and maybe a DML Nashorn or Hummel, while I'm at it!! LOL)

Have a good one;

Bill

P.S. If you're ever in the neighborhood (thank you, Mr. Rogers!!), how about stopping by and giving me some hands on zimmerit lessons!! 'Cause mine sure don't look as good as yours!!)

I have a set of late model castens that I bought for my Tiger but didn't use. They are really nice tracks. Hopefully I'll do another late Tiger with all the goodies on it.

I wish they had those kinds of modeling things near me. I end up surfing for them [:0]

I'm gonna try to find a lower cost alternative to the cables. I read a really cool suggestion

Bill, Aber now sells the cables as a seperate product. I walked into my Armor hobby store, and they were there..so I bought up a few packs. They come in one long piece that you need to cut to size. They also come in different sizes. The price was about 10 to 12 bucks US if I am not mistaken..but not bad considering the look they give.

First, thanks everyone for the kind words about my Tiger. Sorry I have not gotten back to you guys sooner, I have been VERY busy.

Kumakichi,

I used Eduard vinyl stencils for my tiger, and was quite impressed. They were like $3 and can be used multiple times. The only slight problem I had was getting them to stick to the zimed finish. I HIGHLY recommend them. I airbrushed the paint over the stencils, but I’m sure using a stencil brush would look just as good.

Moses,

What can I say man? GREAT job!!!! Very clean build. Everything looks superb. What did you think of the Eduard PE set? I had mixed feelings about it, but in the long run was happy with the parts that I used. The fenders were the biggest problem I had with the Eduard set, and I think I understand why you went with the kit ones. Oh, by the way, excellent job on the zim, especially the gun mantel.

As for a Panther build, I just got the Tamiya late G. I am looking forward to starting it, and would love to try a team build. I think this one is going to be SOOTB for a change. Only problem is that I won’t have any spare time to get much done for another month or so.

Look forward to seeing more pics from you guys. Happy modeling,

edog

Thanks Edog. The zim on teh manlet was definately a pain in the butt. I like Eduard, and it was ok for this kit. I like almost all of eduads fret excpet for its tool clamps. I mean, nothing comes close to Abers offering. I went with teh kits side skirts because I wanted a nice neat build..and didn't want to kill myself with the brass . Thanks again Edog.

Cheers

Rob

Thanks Edog... I'll have to give them a try. I think I'd like painting the numbers more than decaling.

Rob, Great new sig. line! (Especially from the king of Zimm!!) lol

Well, I used a bit of Saturday's modeling time to go to the regional IPMS convention. I was pretty disappointed, over all. I was expecting to find a bunch of retailers from out of the local area, and was hoping to find some MK tracks for the Tiger, as well as some tools for precision gluing. (I Can't remember the name. They are made by the same company that makes Flexifiles and are long, glass tubes with needles in the ends.)
There were several of the "local" shops there (although the two big shops, Great Models and Douglas) didn't bother to show up, and there were a few "privates" selling off some of their collections. There were virtually no after market parts. What there were, were aircraft parts from Aries, nice, but not what I was after. I did manage to pick up a 1/72 Revell M1A1 and a 1/72 Revell Panther D/A (that won't make up anything acurate but a late A (from my box perusial).

Having said all that, I did drive the 50 miles to Great Models and back and picked up one of the 2" Hold and Folds. I wanted the 4", but they were out of them. I used it to bend six of the eight (two were already done by hand) brass side fenders, and one of the exhaust shrouds with it. And it worked very well. The instructions tell you how to bend all kinds of "structures", including z bends, u bends, boxes, etc. I chose to do things a little differently for the fenders and they look pretty good. In fact, all the bends came out so closely matching, that two of the fenders stuck together so well in the lacquer thinner cleaning bath that I thought I'd lost one of them. I like the fact that the two inch tool is so small, I can hold hold it in my hand when aligning the parts for bending. I don't think I'd like to try it on anything longer than a two inch bend, though. So it will be relagated to 1/72 and smaller 1/35 parts. It ought to be great for bending tool brackets!

Anybody have a good way to bend the exhust shrouds? I used a dowel and #1 Xacto knife handle to "roll" them, but they still seem to spring back a little too wide. I got kinks in both of them, but was able to work them out.

Hope you all had a great model building weekend.

Bill

Has anybody found a source for metric circle templates?? I've got one that's in fractional inches, but they just don't ever seem to fit! (Hmmm, German tank originally made in metrics, Japanese model company who use metrics as standard measurments...that could be the reason!! LOL) Anyway, I've checked around here and all I can find locally are the inch type.


Thanks

Bill

Check out a drafting supply store Bill, they should have some.

Funny, these metric templates are all over the place here in Canada.

If you can't find one, let me know, I'll take care of it for you.

Gee, imagine that. Why would you think they are so prevelant there??

Thanks, Robert. I'll call some of the bigger houses. It's getting tough to find drafting stuff here since CAD has taken over what mechanical drawing used to do.

Hey, I saw one of those Ampersand Publishing "Modeling the Sherman" on E-bay for $15. Thinking maybe I sould bid on it.

Have a nice one.

Bill

Supposed to be a great book ... don't have a copy myself ... maybe one of the days.

QUOTE: Originally posted by wipw Hey, I saw one of those Ampersand Publishing "Modeling the Sherman" on E-bay for $15. Thinking maybe I sould bid on it. Bill

Hey, Bill said "Sherm** in y'alls Tiger post!!!!!!

Bill, I did find a metric template somewhere (can't remember, I've slept since then ) but it still doesn't match up exactly on anything I've checked yet. I think the model makers use some archaic formula in developing a 1/35 model wheel.

Eric

oops, Pardon the slip up. May I be boiled in tiger grease!

Thanks for word on the template. I could go buy a circle cutter from the RC hobby shop and cut an exact match out of ffiscut. Maybe that's what I will do.

Good days to y'all

Bill

Well, where are all the posts to this thread, fellow 1/35 tiger'ers??

I bought the circle template I was talking about. It's made by OLFA and is called a Compass Cutter. It costs about $10.00 and comes with 5 blades. and will cut a circle as small as 1cm diameter. This should handle most 1/35 wheels (return rollers excepted), I think. I measured diameter of the raised portion of a wheel with a divider, divided by 2 to get the radius, set the cutter to that size, and cut circles out of a piece of Badger Friskit. This weekend, I will put a wheel in each of the holes and spray the dunklegelb on the hubs. (Friskit is tackey on the back and is used for masking). I really think this is going to work well. It virtually eliminates the problem of the circle template being too thick and thereby not being able to paint the edge of the rims.

Have a great weekend. Hope it's a three day for most of you.

Bill

Sounds good Bill, good luck with it. I have not posted any more here because I am done with my project, but I would love to hear how the rest of you are doing.

I haven't been posting because I'm very close to being done with mine too. I've started thiking about making a simple display diorama for it. I work at a millwork company and have been scouring the bins for scrap wood but so far nothing good.