Dragon Tiger I Initial - COMPLETE! c/w photos from today's show! (18.03.12)

Good evening guys,

Just a quick update on how things are going:

The turret is now totally complete and both side bins are in place and looking good!

I replaced the moulded handle on the top of the rectangular hatch next to the Commanders Cupola with some decent Copper wire bent into a nice handle shape-a big improvement imo!

Oh, the Mantlet numbers are on too - fiddly as hell but they look ok, just a little out of alignment but that's as good as I can can get it! My eyes were really starting to hurt after spending 20 minuets trying to get that right! I looked at numbers and can see that other people have opted for all sorts so I decided on 32 as that's my age.

Tomorrow I'll get the wheels assembled and I'll also lay a couple of light layers of primer down - then I can start thinking about getting the airbrush prepped and ready for a whirl next weekend Tools will be brush painted separately and the wheels will be air brushed separately too using the Quickwheel Mask.

I've had the emergency work phone today which has been pretty busy and has slowed me up but I'm there at last! I'm really looking forward to getting the whitewash going on this monster and slapping some 'wet' mud on her and getting her on a base too.

If you haven't built it already and a Tiger I fan I can't recommend this kit enough!

Photos from today:

Thanks for looking guys,

I'll drop another quick update on the wip tomorrow,

Take care,

Ben

(NOTE: Double Post - Sorry):

Good evening guys,

Just a quick update on how things are going:

The turret is now totally complete and both side bins are in place and looking good!

I replaced the moulded handle on the top of the rectangular hatch next to the Commanders Cupola with some decent Copper wire bent into a nice handle shape-a big improvement imo!

Oh, the Mantlet numbers are on too. I've just remembered whilst typing this post that I forgot to do them today and it was something I had really wanted done so I went to do them quickly - fiddly as hell but they look ok, just a little out of alignment but that's as good as I can can get it! My eyes were really starting to hurt after spending 20 minuets trying to get that right! I looked at numbers and can see that other people have opted for all sorts so I decided on 32 as that's my age.

Tomorrow I'll get the wheels assembled and I'll also lay a couple of light layers of primer down - then I can start thinking about getting the airbrush prepped and ready for a whirl next weekend Tools will be brush painted separately and the wheels will be air brushed separately too using the Quickwheel Mask.

I've had the emergency work phone today which has been pretty busy and has slowed me up but I'm there at last! I'm really looking forward to getting the whitewash going on this monster and slapping some 'wet' mud on her and getting her on a base too.

If you haven't built it already and a Tiger I fan I can't recommend this kit enough!

Photos from today:

Thanks for looking guys,

I'll drop another quick update on the wip tomorrow,

Take care,

Ben

Stuart06

I am about the same point you are....

I just have to add a few small parts here and there and a bit of clean up and I will add my primer and then paint.

Just curious,,for the base coat I intend to use Tamyia XF-63, German Grey.  How about you.

After that, i will do a hairspray, white wash technique...(first time). then apply the rest of the weathering using dot filitering and Mig products.

In my build I have most of the equipment off the tank and will paint seperately. I have also not attached the exhuast tower and clamps at the back and spare tracks at the front..... as I want to ensure the paint gets in the area that will be covered up.  I feel that it is important for depth.  After the German grey is on, I will apply the hairspary and white.

Of course the wheels and tracks will also be done seperately.

 

Hi buddy,

The next step is to finish the turret, add a couple of bits and bobs and paint - I always use Tamiya XF-63 but vary it slightly from build-to-build. I'll be using German Grey with a dash of Flat white and a dash od XF-18(?) Medium Blue, the addition of XF-18 Medium Blue makes for a good German Panzer Grey imo. The white helps too but take it easy and add a bit at a time into the cup before you are happy and spray the model!

My last build (Panzer III N) also had the same Leningrad markings. For that I used a basecoat of my usual Grey then when fully cured I masked areas with Blu-Tack and added patches of white using a well thinned Flat White. Weathering was done with AK streaking Grimes and MIG Washes (ready to go and my own Windsor & Newton oil paint washes made by me), Graphite pencil for chipping and some various colours and a 5/0 and 10/0 brush for additional chipping with other colours from Vallejo. The highly thinned White allowed for a nice pre-shade effect and the result was great - I'll do the same with this as I want a matching pair of Leningrad Panzers! A Pz III and a Tiger I. 

My 'Leningrad' Panzer III N (text continues after photos):

Before weathering the Tiger I'll paint the tools and spare tracks (the spare tracks will be only lightly weathered as this '100' Tiger wasn't about that long to get rusted up). The tools will be hand painted and then fitted and I'll add a bit more white over the top to make them look like they were in place when it was whitewashed like David has said but although not very accurate I like the effect the wooden tool handles and tool head colours has against the basecoat so they won't be heavily covered up. I'm only fitting one tow cable too - maybe none. Not sure yet.

I'd like to do a Hairspray job but I haven't done that before so I'm not learning on this beauty - I'm going for the tried and tested method! I've got a Tamiya 1/35 Hetzer with a poor paintjob so I'm going to spray that with Dunky, re-decal it and try the Hairspray method on that. I'm wary as I've seen a lot of people have problems with cracking of the hairspray coat etc and a real mess being made.

As for the tracks? I'm going for a real wet look mud mix with some scenic grass chopped into the mix - it looks great. I mean - It's Russia and it's Winter so this is going to be messier than the Panzer III. They'll be done last with the wheels - then I'm making a small base with a single figure.

Hope this helps - any photos yet?

All the best,

Ben

Concerning the whitewash; it looks like the spare tracks were already on these tanks when the crew went to whitewash them, and I very much doubt that they took the tracks off to paint the wall behind.

David

I am about the same point you are....

I just have to add a few small parts here and there and a bit of clean up and I will add my primer and then paint.

Just curious,,for the base coat I intend to use Tamyia XF-63, German Grey.  How about you.

After that, i will do a hairspray, white wash technique...(first time). then apply the rest of the weathering using dot filitering and Mig products.

In my build I have most of the equipment off the tank and will paint seperately. I have also not attached the exhuast tower and clamps at the back and spare tracks at the front..... as I want to ensure the paint gets in the area that will be covered up.  I feel that it is important for depth.  After the German grey is on, I will apply the hairspary and white.

Of course the wheels and tracks will also be done seperately.

Stuart06

"The diamond shaped protrusions on the rear of the turret? Don't remove them - they were on the real "100", it used to have a rear bin."

Thank Byrden,,,didn't know that...I was about to remove mine as well...good  to know.

Ditto!

Thanks - just in time!

How is your build going Stuart?

Take care,

Ben.

"The diamond shaped protrusions on the rear of the turret? Don't remove them - they were on the real "100", it used to have a rear bin."

Thank Byrden,,,didn't know that...I was about to remove mine as well...good  to know.

You are running parralel to my build.  I am also doing the 100 with side bins.

Nice work so far...looking forward to seeing how you paint and weather...so I can learn a bit.

Also, I like the cabinet.  Where did you get that.

I have my basement recently redone and am looking for a cabinet fixutre that I can have all along the wall to display my armour, aircraft and ships.....,this looks like just the ticket.

The diamond shaped protrusions on the rear of the turret? Don't remove them - they were on the real "100", it used to have a rear bin.

David

Looks like things are progressing nicely Ben. I would recommend using a flat razor blade instead of a scalpel blade...you'll have more control and less chance of slicing a finger versus a scalpel IMHO. That's how I removed mine at any rate...but more than one way to "skin" the numbers in this case!

Hi guys,

Just a quick update on the turret.

As you can see It's now all done APART from the side bins and the Mantlet numbering.

The side bins are assembled and ready to go but I need to gently smooth off the guide marks on the turret that are there for modellers who want to use the rear bin instead. They are quite prominent and need to go so I'll sand them down in the morning quickly before work and then drop the side bins in place.

The Mantlet numbers? Well, tbh, I just forgot about them and they can go on next week. I actually looked at the numbers that are on a flat area moulded into the surround of the 'P' sprue tree and was trying to work out the best way to 'slice them off! It doesn't look easy - any suggestions on the best method? Obviously it will involve a scalpel with new blade but the letters aren't  deep and won't come off easily (imo).

Turret assembly in general was simple. The gun assembly is very nice and the RB Barrel really looks the part. I'd love to have a crack at a 1/35 full interior! The only slightly 'iffy' part was the Cupola. The main body built up easily but the hinge for the hatch was a really fiddly affair that required some minor assembly, that was the only minor point. Everything else built up PERFECTLY

Next week it's wheel time and I'm going to soon have to thing about getting some paint on this thing! I wasn't expecting to be anywhere near this far into the build this soon seeing as I have to limit my time at the bench to 2-4 hours before I get killer headaches! Usually I like to spend 4 hours on Saturday and 4 on Sunday, perhaps a tiny bit more but that's all and I'm not rushing - this kit could be mistaken for a Tamiya kit! Well done Dragon on bringing out a superb Tiger I!

Here's where I'm at gentlemen:

I took a photo of my model cabinet - all of my best builds live in here, my earlier ones which aren't so good are bubble wrapped sat in a box. Sorry about the picture quality but lighting was at a minimum. It sits by my bed and at present contains 12 x 1/35 builds and 4 x 1/48 Tamiya builds. It holds 10 glass shelves but I'm only using 6 at present and they can be moved to whatever position you need. I'm O.k. for room for a while yet but eventually I'll have to start moving shelves up and putting additional ones in. 

Cheers for looking in chaps.

Have a good week everyone and take care!

Ben

Cheers Andy,

Girlfriends eh? Nah, since my engagement ended I'm taking a break from ANYTHING to do with girls!

I'm going with 32 unless someone tells me otherwise or I end up destroying the numbers I need - they don't look easy to slice off tbh!

She's looking killer now that turret is in place and the build in general is a real pleasure (so far)!

Cheers buddy,

Ben

Looking real good!  I am glad you are taking this slow especially the barrels comparison.  I will definitely order an aluminum barrel... thanks for the tip! 

You want a number?  OK how many serious girlfriends you have had?  Use that number.

Looking forward to your next update...

Hi guys,

Here's my usual Saturday update for you!

I had wanted to get the turret and barrel totally completed but the usual family, friends and work stuff clogged up my bench time so I'm 75% there now. As you'll see the turret and barrel assembly are in place but the roof and hatches are yet to go on and the cupola needs assembling. Looking at the instructions what is left to do to complete the turret in all it's glory plus the side bins should only take a couple of hours - I'm certainly not rushing it. I've also got to try and scalpel off the numbers to glue on top of the Mantlet - they give you 2 sets of 1 to 0 on the edge of the 'P' sprue, you just work out the number you need and slice them carefully off and stick them on the mantlet on the flat piece above where the barrel dust cover sleeve enters the mantlet.

I'm not sure what number to use? wbill used 56 I think, David B hasn't suggested a number but he has told me that there were ten of these initial Tigers to enter the Russian Front in anger so do I choose anything between 01 and 10 or any old two digit number. I wanted to put 32 as that's my age and It will make an interesting little anecdote when showing friends this build in years to come! If anyone can be a bit more accurate I'd really be grateful guys.

After the turret is done it's road wheel prep time (yawn), PE tool clasp assembly and general intricate detailing. This kit is so good - it's a 'moderate' skill level build (imo) but a modeller with only a few months experience and a bit of build time under his belt should be fine. It's certainly not a mega Dragon brain-buster like I've attempted before but I'm not there yet so fingers x'd!  The replacement upgrade barrel is, again, imo, a must have but the kit barrel is okay and just needs preparing properly. I had to assemble the kit barrel and fit it to get the measurements on how much I should leave exposed of the RB barrel. The springy thing works but I can't see why any serious modeller would require it.

Finally, I've decided to (if all goes well) make a nice little Winter base for this Tiger with some MIG Acrylic Resin, plaster and paints and scenic grass added to the mix to spread in the tracks to look all wet and churned up - I've got a set of three Cyber-Hobby figures that I had with my SIG 33B and I'm going to have the one with the SMG walking alongside. If I can make that and paint a good figure then it should look great but that's a while off yet.  

The kit barrel for comparison - I only assembled it very quickly hence it's being a bit 'rough':

Thanks for looking guys,

I'll be posting a completed turret amongst other things tomorrow evening!

I'd also love to hear what you have to say re the Mantlet numbering?

Take care,

Ben

deafpanzer

Ben, did I ever tell you that you can be a bad influence my friend?  I am getting this kit for Christmas.  I know because my wife asked me to help her place orders online last night.  Cyber Monday sale!  Got it for only $30.  After following your WIP, it has to be one of two or three kits I am getting for Christmas. 

I couldn't read anywhere on Dragon site, does it comes with aluminum barrel too?  I sure hope so! 

Hi guys,

Cheers Mikey - that's some superb info

Andy - Actually, you have told me that I'm a bad influence, on this very thread somewhere I think! You are worse though

Sorry to dissapoint but the original version of this kit came with a plastic AND metal barrel (kit# 6525 I think - now out of production) but this kit only has the plastic version. If you go back a page you'll see the RB replacement barrel that I bought for this kit, not expensive. The kit barrel is one piece and actually very good, no seam and you only have to assemble the muzzle brake which is made up of three parts.

But hey, this is a Tiger I and MUST have an aftermarket barrel!

Cheers buddy - update this weekend. Should get a fair bit done, too. The weekend is mine and so is the house!

All the best,

Ben

Hinksy that bulged round may actually be a Gr. 39 HL (HEAT) High explosive Anti Tank round. It does look like a shaped charge warhead to me. And the Tiger I actually used 2 types of AP round the APCBC and the APCR the APCR has a Tungsten core while the APCBC uses a HE core. 

Oh and check out this AFV club brass ammo set

http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=AFV35087

it shows it as a HEAT round

Hinksy

Hi guys,

I was hoping that you'd be able to help with my scale Brass ammo that I got yesterday for my Tiger I. I've been searching Google and scanning various sites without success - the best I can do (so far at least) is the ammo pictured below in the two photos but I need to find info that ammo on the picture I posted yesterday that has that bulge in the tip (below photo, top right, middle one of the three).

I think I can see the HE & AP just above which matches my ammo but I haven't seen that bulbous tipped ammo yet?

I'm sure one of you educated gents will be able to help out?

WIP update later!

Many thanks,

Ben

Ben, did I ever tell you that you can be a bad influence my friend?  I am getting this kit for Christmas.  I know because my wife asked me to help her place orders online last night.  Cyber Monday sale!  Got it for only $30.  After following your WIP, it has to be one of two or three kits I am getting for Christmas. 

I couldn't read anywhere on Dragon site, does it comes with aluminum barrel too?  I sure hope so! 

Hi guys,

Bish - cheers for the info. If you go back a page Bill has said that he reckons that rounded shell would have been for AA only and not used in Tigers. There's a few photos that I posted too.

Andy - Thank you Sir, I'm enjoying this build a lot! The Brass fenders came with the kit on the PE sprue - look nice, don't they?

The shells were £6 - that gets you a bag of 12 shell cases and 12 different type projectiles. I suppose a bit pricey but a nice addition to the spares tub! I can get 50 cheap 12 gauge shotgun rounds for pigeon control for that price so they probably rate as the most expensive, deactivated teeny tiny ammo ever! LOL! 

I forgot to mention; during assembly yesterday I managed to knock over an open pot of Tamiya Extra Thin Cement, just after reading it's going to be pratically impossible to get hold of now! Dammit-I always put lids on bottles too. It was a full bottle and now has about a quarter left - it was my only bottle too

Cheers chaps,

Ben

Your Tiger is looking great!  Those aftermarket shells look awesome.  Bet they cost you a fortune? 

Did those brass fenders come with the kit or you bought it separately?

Ben, just had a look in my book on German artilery, which includes ammo. I can't find anything like that bulbous shell you ahve, so no idea what that is. But, according to what i have in front of me, and i am sure i have reda it else where, yellow was used for HE Anti Aircraft shells, so would be used in a Tiger. And i am also sure i have read some where that the rounds for the Tiger I and the 88mm Flak guns were not interchangable. Though i am not sure if you would see any difference in this scale.

Not sure if bill knows any different or can add anything to that.

Hi guys,

Cheers for that Bill - definately makes sense as I can't see anything resembling that projectile in my photos of Tiger ammo.

WIP Update:

Righto; I've got the intakes fitted below the top deck, the top deck is now fixed with parts G31 removed from the fan tops to help the deck sit down flush. Annoyingly, I was concentrating on applying as much pressure to the rear whilst the CA cured the front of the top deck has sat up a little on the left side (as you look at the model) but I think I can live with that. It doesn't show too much - I could have done with four arms for holding that top deck in place whilst the CA set! My gripper thingies didn't squeeze tight enough.

Anyway, headlights are in place as well as the fiddly light conduit (supplied with the kit) which I know aren't in the correct place (the conduit, obviously) as I've seen photos of this model completed and mine don't look right BUT they are in place, the PE brackets are in place and they look ok so I'm happy.

Finally the two Brass diamond pattern tread plates are in place on the front fenders.

I'm now at another nice place to start from next weekend as all the instructions call for on the top deck now are tools and rods etc which will be going on after painting - the next step is #15 which is the start of the turret and barrel and it looks like a fun assembly too.

Some photos: 

Thanks for dropping by guys

I'd appreciate and tips on the turret and barrel assembly stages as I'll be doing that next weekend.

Have a great week everyone,

Ben

Ben,

I don't think that middle round is a Tiger round...the packaging indicates that the brass ammo is suitable for 8.8cm Flak as well and I'm pretty sure that middle round is a proximity fused AA HE round and not a tank round. I've never seen that type at least in my own research into either the PaK or KwK 8.8cm usage.

Hi guys,

I was hoping that you'd be able to help with my scale Brass ammo that I got yesterday for my Tiger I. I've been searching Google and scanning various sites without success - the best I can do (so far at least) is the ammo pictured below in the two photos but I need to find info that ammo on the picture I posted yesterday that has that bulge in the tip (below photo, top right, middle one of the three).

I think I can see the HE & AP just above which matches my ammo but I haven't seen that bulbous tipped ammo yet?

I'm sure one of you educated gents will be able to help out?

WIP update later!

Many thanks,

Ben

Byrden

The fixed sleeve is actually a protective cleaner and dust sleeve. It doesn't touch the gun barrel, there's a rubber ring inside. So it should have a small gap between it and the barrel.

As for the length of the gun, use the kit barrel as a reference (when it's pushed fully forward by the spring of course).

David

Cheers David - Useful and insightful as always

It was a bit obvious about using the kit barrel so I've knocked it together and might have the basics of a turret and barrel to show later on.

All the best,

Ben

The fixed sleeve is actually a protective cleaner and dust sleeve. It doesn't touch the gun barrel, there's a rubber ring inside. So it should have a small gap between it and the barrel.

As for the length of the gun, use the kit barrel as a reference (when it's pushed fully forward by the spring of course).

David

Hey guys,

Bish - You should definately pop on over to Armour Models again. Steve is a great chap and has also had a revamp of Friul prices and has took a few quid off the entire range so all Friuls are £28 now. An order over £20 (I think it's £20) is post free. He's also stocking Hornet Heads and some other interesting stuff too.

David - I'll be leaving the headlights on this build as I want to show the Initial Tiger I in all it's glory! The shell cases don't have to be used, I'm totally undecided yet and they were just something that I thought would be good to have in the spares tub!

What do you think about the replacement barrel installation btw David? It's a little loose in the Mantlet (only a tiny bit mind you).

Take care guys,

Ben  

Anything else you know of that should be left off David?

If you're planning an in-action setting, how about the headlights? They were supposed to be stored inside the tank during action, though this didn't always get done. The kit provides the empty sockets as alternate parts.

David

That sounds like a good price. I haven't ordered from Armour models since the new guy took over, simply because i haven't needed things like barrels that i usually get from there. But i think in the new year i will deffo get some of those.

Deffinatly some white paint in there given the paint scheme your doing yours.

Bish

I might have to get myself some of those buckets. For this period of the war, the shells are spot on IMHO, and just need a bit of dirtying up.

At £1-50 a shot those buckets are great. They aren't flimsy thin PE things but well made and robust 'proper' chunky buckets.

I've got to think of something to put in mine - a bit of white paint so it looks like whitewash maybe and a scratched paintbrush in it too perhaps?

Ben

I might have to get myself some of those buckets. For this period of the war, the shells are spot on IMHO, and just need a bit of dirtying up.