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Examples of Late Tiger 1 w/o Zimmerit?

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  • Member since
    June 2020
Examples of Late Tiger 1 w/o Zimmerit?
Posted by Panzernoob on Monday, December 13, 2021 8:02 PM

On my to do list is my Dragon 6406 Tiger 1 (Late). Though I can do it, I'm not a huge fan of the tedious process of making Zimmerit on my tanks...  plus it obscures a lot of the little details modeled onto the plastic. The kit offers decals for 6 variants (and both late, command and final versions... though it doesn't specify which of its 6 variants would be of what configuration). At any rate, I was wondering if anybody knew of specific Tigers (and hopefully accompanying photographs/references) which were late variants but not coated in Zimmerit.

I suspect that they would more likely be found in the western theater or possibly a rebuilt/refurbished late war tank, but I don't have enough resources to find any specific examples... and apparently my Google skills are lacking as i never really find what I am looking for.

Barring that, is anybody aware of any AM photoetching or something similar that would fit this model?

  • Member since
    December 2012
Posted by Ixion on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 12:50 PM

Tiger I production ended in August of 1944, Zimmerit application didn't end until September of 1944.

  • Member since
    June 2020
Posted by Panzernoob on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 3:16 PM

Ixion

Tiger I production ended in August of 1944, Zimmerit application didn't end until September of 1944.

 

 

True, but Tiger I's continued to be used until the end of the war. As tanks went back to the rear for repair and/or were cannibalized to get them back into action, they would not reapply Zimmerit simply because it used to have it. As things got more and more desperate they even started using training vehicles (arguably not late model Tigers), so it's certainly plausible that more than a few made their way back to the front without Zimmerit or with only the remnants of what had once been applied. Also, since Germany was the only country to really employ magnetic antitank mines there was no actual threat realistically requiring the application of zimmerit. Zimmerit did not really withstand impacts of bullets and shrapnel... combat tanks got exposed to lots of both.... doesn't take long for that coating to be damaged or destroyed.

  • Member since
    December 2012
Posted by Ixion on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 5:19 PM

They didn't bother scraping it off either. See Kampfgruppe Fehrmann Tigers as an example. When you said "w/o Zimmerit", I assumed you meant "ever", not an if, but, or when...Please being more specific with your questions.

  • Member since
    June 2020
Posted by Panzernoob on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 7:23 PM

My apologies for not properly conveying my question; I can see it was a bit misleading. I was not disagreeing with you, as you are quite correct, I was simply trying to portray what I was envisioning by w/o zimmerit.

So, that being said, what I am really after are photos or references of late Tiger 1's which have little to no, or as little as reasonably possible, Zimmerit on them so as to prevent me from having to model the Zimmerit (which I do not enjoy doing). 

Since you mentioned Fehrmann Tigers,  Tiger F13 appears to be a very good example of what I am looking for. I will spend some time searching for photos. Thank you for the suggestion. 

  • Member since
    October 2009
Posted by Kentucky Colonel on Thursday, December 16, 2021 6:35 AM

You asked about  AM photoetching or something similar that would fit this model?

 

I have the same model and got the PE Zimmerit for it. I do NOT like it because it's hard to make damage and flaking look real. I got the ATAK  Zimmerit for my Panthers and it is much, much better and much easier to work with. In fact, it would make a Tiger F13 type of model very easy to make with 1/2 or more of the Zimmerit gone. I've been planning on making my next Tiger like that, with most of the Zimmerit gone

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Nashville, TN area
Posted by bobbaily on Thursday, December 16, 2021 9:27 AM

Tamiya makes a 'peel & stick' zimmerit that might be a good compromise. I've not worked with it but it may be a good compromise?

https://spruebrothers.com/tam12647-1-35-tamiya-zimmerit-coating-sheet-for-tiger-mid-late-tam-kit/

Granted you're working with the Dragon kit but since you only want small amounts, it might work?

Bob

 

  • Member since
    June 2020
Posted by Panzernoob on Thursday, December 16, 2021 11:37 AM

Kentucky Colonel

You asked about  AM photoetching or something similar that would fit this model?

 

I have the same model and got the PE Zimmerit for it. I do NOT like it because it's hard to make damage and flaking look real. I got the ATAK  Zimmerit for my Panthers and it is much, much better and much easier to work with. In fact, it would make a Tiger F13 type of model very easy to make with 1/2 or more of the Zimmerit gone. I've been planning on making my next Tiger like that, with most of the Zimmerit gone

 

 

That was good timing. I was actually planning on ordering PE this week. I wasn't thinking about the difficulty in manipulating it. When you use the resin zimmerit, what is your method for cutting or molding so that the edges look more natural and not sharp like cut or sanded plastic (probably a better description than this... I just can't think of it). I've cut and shaped resin to fit, but not to only uses pieces as would be the case for a damaged Zimmerit look.

  • Member since
    June 2020
Posted by Panzernoob on Thursday, December 16, 2021 11:43 AM

bobbaily

Tamiya makes a 'peel & stick' zimmerit that might be a good compromise. I've not worked with it but it may be a good compromise?

https://spruebrothers.com/tam12647-1-35-tamiya-zimmerit-coating-sheet-for-tiger-mid-late-tam-kit/

Granted you're working with the Dragon kit but since you only want small amounts, it might work?

 

 

I would think it would be a viable option; probably last through a few kits too depending on how one does their damage. 

Has anybody out there had experience with the stickers? How do they look once paint and weathering are applied. Do they look like a natural extension of the model or just like textured stickers (once finished).

  • Member since
    June 2020
Posted by Panzernoob on Thursday, December 16, 2021 11:44 AM

Also, do they stay on when turpentine and similar products or applied or would I need to add glue as well?

  • Member since
    October 2009
Posted by Kentucky Colonel on Thursday, December 16, 2021 12:27 PM

Sharp knife and scissors. It's thin and is easy. After a while, I also started to use a little putty to soften up the edges to make them look more like it was put on my hand but not the first few I did.

 

I do have a Tamiya sheet that I have not used yet but it works the same way.

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Thursday, December 16, 2021 1:38 PM

Panzernoob

 

 
bobbaily

Tamiya makes a 'peel & stick' zimmerit that might be a good compromise. I've not worked with it but it may be a good compromise?

https://spruebrothers.com/tam12647-1-35-tamiya-zimmerit-coating-sheet-for-tiger-mid-late-tam-kit/

Granted you're working with the Dragon kit but since you only want small amounts, it might work?

 

 

 

 

I would think it would be a viable option; probably last through a few kits too depending on how one does their damage. 

Has anybody out there had experience with the stickers? How do they look once paint and weathering are applied. Do they look like a natural extension of the model or just like textured stickers (once finished).

 

A friend used it on his Tamiya 1/48 Tiger I and it looked fine.

That being said, other people I know have told me the texture is not enough for 1/35 applications.  Damage would be somewhat tricky, as the stickers are soft.

 

 

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

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