I ran into some trouble with the link and length tracks. Built it twice and found that it's better to paint the the tracks after it's assembled. There's a video on the italeri web site that's helpful. Also had a little trouble getting the hull peices to line up nicely, but it's not too bad. Goes together pretty well other than that.

   Not much for decals, could grab some aftermarket or use stencils.

Thanks! You've confirmed my initial suspicions about this kit. I've been watching some video builds on YouTube.  

The tracks don't worry me at all as I prefer this type anyways. 

The add-on zim looks a little troublesome however. LOL

thanks for the reply.  :)

It's the late production version? I built the initial production version as a Tunisia Tiger and it assembled properly. I added, modified, and enhanced certain details, but the basic kit has no real problems. Nothing an intermediatly skilled modeler can not handle.

.

stikpusher

It's the late production version? I built the initial production version as a Tunisia Tiger and it assembled properly. I added, modified, and enhanced certain details, but the basic kit has no real problems. Nothing an intermediatly skilled modeler can not handle.

 

Excellent. My son should be able to make a good model out of it then, with my guidence. I thought that Zim looked a bit thick, but I've never dealt with add-on zim before and I didn't know if it was too thick or if that's the proper thickness... until now. I noticed that it looked difficult to use on those video builds. I will have to take special care with the turret zim application.

Rob Gronovius

 

I've only got the early version that I bought in the mid 90s. I had read back then that the zimmerit add on threw off the dimensions (it's very thick) and the turret was asymetrical like it should be. That didn't bother me and the kit built well. I was just never satisfied with my attempt at some sort of olive green Tunisian paint job, but that's on me.

 

 

Good thing  I asked then. The only experience I have with Italeri 1/35 armor was their Pz. I and the venerable M47. Neither of which I ever finished, but had a good amount of detail as I remember both of them fondly.  :)

I think I will try setting the wheels w/o glue and attaching the tracks to them for a alternate way of getting around the painting issues of building the entire lower hull before painting.

All of those dang wheels! (uhg)

M. Brindos

 

I think I will try setting the wheels w/o glue and attaching the tracks to them for a alternate way of getting around the painting issues of building the entire lower hull before painting.

All of those dang wheels! (uhg)

 

 

Now there's an idea... I may have to try that on one of my Tigers that I have in the stash. If I do not want to do my heavy weather/dirt/mud method. Thanks for that!

It's not my idea, but I'm sure you're more than welcome to use it LOL!!

..

I would hope to see a WIP of you and your sons build.  This I'll definately follow.  With my new grandson it'll be in no time flat that I'll be building a Snap-Tite Kit with him very soon.  It's projects like these that have more meaning that a first prize ribbon on a kit from a club show.  

Bonding with your son and teaching him techniques like these will allow him to carry this over into things of use in everyday life!  I envy and am proud of you M.Brindos!  Good luck with the build!

Toshi

The trick I mentioned about glueing the tracks to the wheels with the wheels loose worked better than expected.

We've got one side completed and it took more time to clean up all the wheels and track pieces then it did to glue it together lol.

I'll get pictures up as soon as I can. :)

http://www.use.com/J83FO

The link above will take you to our progress.

One side done, one to go.

Thanks for looking.  :)

Both sides of the tracks are done now. I really like that I can remove them for painting lol.

I'm going to use this method again then next time I have to use Link and Length tracks. Works quite well. Once the track pieces were cleaned up I just assembled them with liquid cement, waited five to ten minues for the glue to setup then wraped them around the wheels. It was a little tricky getting the links to match up properly once I had them wraped, but with some cotton buds and a stretched out hair band I got them into position and just let them cure overnight.

The next day I had perfectly set tracks awaiting primer.

Thanks for checking-in, and I hope Jr. wants to do more work on it later. I kinda like this kit and I may have to get one for myself eventually. It's really not too bad at all.

That is a super method for dealing with the tracks. I tried something like that on my Maquette T-34/76 but it did not work out. In fact it almost urged me to toss that kit into a wall. I will give it another go with your version on my next indy link or link  & length tracked AFV build. Thanks for the tip!

Like I said, not my idea, but it did work well for me. :)

I hope that when you get another chance, that it will work spledidly!

Quick update. We managed to make all of the hinged pieces work and built up the upper hull, but Jr. cut out the wrong piece, so the front of the hull is missing the Zim. I noticed it after it was fully glued on and we're just going to roll with it. I didn't realize the kit comes with non Zim coated hull pieces and a full Fifel(sp?) air filter system (plus smoke generators and spare link mounts for the turret sides) The parts are not mentioned in the instructions.

Live and learn I guess. I'll be paying more attention from now on.

Thanks for looking. Happy modelling, my friends.  :)

The non used parts are likely from a common sprue for use on the late and early production versions. 

Since my boy doesn't seem interested in this anymore...

I finished assembly. I just stuck all the cool parts on and I figured, "why not?" 

Now I'm ready for primer and paint! Yay!

Looks like a Tiger. Although the smoke grenade launchers and the exhaust guards are for the mufflers are for the initial production type and not this later type. 

Meh. My son will like it and that's what counts. These were the parts he wanted to add, so I added them.

Now for the paint job he wanted... Siberian tiger stripes. It aught to be interesting. ;)

Lol, all I know is that the steel-rimmed road wheels indicate a late model. 

Looks good, the tracks look perfect from what I can see. 

It's liberating to build kits for fun without regard to accuracy. Not saying that striving for perfection and high levels of accuracy isn't fun, to some, that is where the fun lies.

No worries Mike. That is what counts, is that your son is happy with it. Like Rob said, it is nice not to get all wrapped up in the details, and just build to have fun.

Thanks guys. You do get a lot of extra parts in the box. It was fun picking out the options. But it only comes with the one type of road wheels.

The parts are otherwise included for early, late, and tropical.

Now that it's together, the real fun (for me) begins. :)

M. Brindos

Since my boy doesn't seem interested in this anymore...

Just went through this on an Apache chopper with my newphew, not enough instant gratification I guess, but keep at him. Looking foward to the tiger stripes.

He did seem more enthusiastic about the included game codes than the model lol.

M. Brindos

He did seem more enthusiastic about the included game codes than the model lol.

 

I used to play WOT.  More interested in building models than playing on the computer these days.  Maybe when he is my age, he will feel the same.  I am 53, so don't hold your breath.  

Looks like you are having fun, and that is what counts!  Looking forward to the paint scheme.

D

Thanks, D. I haven't played the game yet. I d/l'd it, but have never gotten around to playing.

Im more into the modeling aspect as well lol.

The paint scheme should be interesting and I'm looking forward to getting started this weekend. :)

WoT is fun if you don't get too far into it. I played for about two years and finally got so frustrated by the idiots in the game that I couldn't take it anymore. I hate to judge, I wasn't that great a player but I didn't shoot players on my own side, sit around the base and do nothing etc. I finally got to the point that this game I was playing for entertainment was causing way too much stress. And isn't the point of game to have fun and relieve stress? Walking away felt so good. If you don't get that involved it should be fun though.