Stokesy's Tiger II Ardennes 44

[Stokesy44]

I'm off back to WW2 with my Dragon Tiger II Ardennes. Picked this up in March at a model show for £25!

Its an older Dragon which means it comes with all the goodies. Magic Tracks, a metal barrel and some nice PE and brass. All for 25 smackers! AND you get 8 Fallschirmjagers with it too as tank riders.



I'm going to build the kit as one of the Tigers of Kampfgruppe Peiper that got knocked out at La Gleize, specifically the one that now sits outside the town's museum.

Here it is restored outside the museum



This is it after it was abandoned, its already showing signs of being 'looted' for bits. I like the look of the skirts though and may replicate the look of the missing sections



It was knocked out by a direct hit to its main gun back in 44, the cannon it now sports is actually from a Panther and was welded on to the remains of the Tiger's original 88mm. I'm not going to build it knocked out, rather as it would have looked as it approached the town.

I'm undecided about using the troopers from the kit. I don't think the Ill-fated paras ever met up with Peiper's unit so it wouldn't be historically accurate to use them. However, I try to go for the spirit of things when I'm building so if I can invoke something of that massive clash of arms then I may use them. I have a simple diorama in mind titled 'Up the hill to La Gleize' and a Tiger trundling up towards the town with the paras clinging to the hull could look really cool. On the other hand I may hold them back for another time and buy some more applicable soldiers for the scene. Who knows, but its a nice dilemma to have.

Anyway, here's the kit and we're off!





Wheels, wheels and more wheels



Progress for the day, torsion bars in place, wheels, idlers and sprockets all done.



It was only a short session as I had a mate round for the afternoon to watch the rugby. A very pleasant Saturday all told.

[Vindicare]

curious that in the old picture the barrel seems much shorter than the restored one, could it be the Tiger I gun? the 8.8 cm KwK 36 L/56 ?

[Stokesy44]

curious that in the old picture the barrel seems much shorter than the restored one, could it be the Tiger I gun? the 8.8 cm KwK 36 L/56 ?

I think a sizeable chunk of the forward end of the barrel was blown off in 44. That’s what disabled it. The restored version has a cosmetic barrel and muzzle break salvaged from a Panther, hence the increase in length in the modern pic.

[TheNordus]

Now that you mention it, the "new" barrel looks really weedy compared to a real 88. I got one of these "old" Dragon King Tigers a year or two ago, except it was a Porsche turret with Zimmerit, and it was absolutely beautiful. I think it was the best tank I'd ever done for a long while, both for the detail and the paint job I did on it. Absolutely lovely, shame Dragon don't make them quite like that anymore. I got their Panzer II Ausf. F this weekend for an extraordinarily high sum sum of money and not only is there no dragon card, they'd changed the magic tracks to vinyl type! I do love me some Dragon Styrene as I think it's way, way easier to work and usually looks spot-on, but I do think it's less value than magic track.

[Vindicare]

[Stokesy44]

Now that you mention it, the "new" barrel looks really weedy compared to a real 88. I got one of these "old" Dragon King Tigers a year or two ago, except it was a Porsche turret with Zimmerit, and it was absolutely beautiful. I think it was the best tank I'd ever done for a long while, both for the detail and the paint job I did on it. Absolutely lovely, shame Dragon don't make them quite like that anymore. I got their Panzer II Ausf. F this weekend for an extraordinarily high sum sum of money and not only is there no dragon card, they'd changed the magic tracks to vinyl type! I do love me some Dragon Styrene as I think it's way, way easier to work and usually looks spot-on, but I do think it's less value than magic track.

I tend to only consider buying Dragon stuff if I come across it at shows where bargains are to be had. I steer clear of brand new releases for the reasons you've stated.

When I bought this one I also picked up a Flak 88 by Dragon with tons of goodies for only £25 again. It had a choice of 2 metal barrels depending on what variant you wanted to build and it also came with a full crew in winter kit. For £25 I couldn't believe it. I walked out of that show with 2 absolute beauties with all the good stuff inside for less than a new release that has none of the extras.

[Tomcat64]

More popcorn please!

Just out of interest is there any reason why you didn't drop this pussycat into the Feline Fever build mate?

[Stokesy44]

More popcorn please!

Just out of interest is there any reason why you didn't drop this pussycat into the Feline Fever build mate?

Greetings.

Stayed out of the SIG as there's no guarantee I will finish in time. The diorama will be something of a moving feast and I don't know when I will have the bits for it. I may end up working on other kits before I start on the base for the kitty.

Got a bit more done today. All the wheels are on and the suspension is level.





Started work on the hull greeblies. Compared to the Magach, I reckon the Tiger will be about 20% of the work One thing I've noticed is there's no cable for the forward headlamp, its prominent on a Tiger so I will need to make it from wire.

[Tomcat64]

Stayed out of the SIG as there's no guarantee I will finish in time. The diorama will be something of a moving feast and I don't know when I will have the bits for it. I may end up working on other kits before I start on the base for the kitty.

Aah ok - that makes perfect sense (stop that immediately - that's just not our style!)

Nice work on the running gear from yesterday too - this is going together well. It's just a shame Dragon have overpriced their recent releases beyond reality as I'd definitely pick a couple more up based on my limited experience with them.

[Stokesy44]

Stayed out of the SIG as there's no guarantee I will finish in time. The diorama will be something of a moving feast and I don't know when I will have the bits for it. I may end up working on other kits before I start on the base for the kitty.

Aah ok - that makes perfect sense (stop that immediately - that's just not our style!)

Nice work on the running gear from yesterday too - this is going together well. It's just a shame Dragon have overpriced their recent releases beyond reality as I'd definitely pick a couple more up based on my limited experience with them.

"Aah ok - that makes perfect sense (stop that immediately - that's just not our style!)" - I know, felt weird writing it

As for new Dragons, I don't even keep on aye on their new releases, but see me at a model show and I'm like a bloodhound!

My new bench light is turning me into a 24hr builder. Was thinking of hitting the sack about 10.30 last night, wandered into the kitchen and didn't leave it till 2 hours later!

Bit more work on the greeblies, still a few lugs and the grills to do on the back deck.







Put the tow cables together - nice metal cables - thank you old Dragon The cabling is nice and pliable so it was quite easy to get it into the shape that roughly resembles how it will go on the hull.



Not sure about bench time today as I may have a movie day down in town - but hey, with my new super light there's always tonight

[TheNordus]

It's fun to watch this progress, I never manage to make much of a building log because I build so fast. I got home around 14:00 yesterday and spent until 22:00 building my BT-42, it's pretty much ready for painting now.

[ElCapitan]

OK go on then, I'll watch this one

[Stokesy44]

It's fun to watch this progress, I never manage to make much of a building log because I build so fast. I got home around 14:00 yesterday and spent until 22:00 building my BT-42, it's pretty much ready for painting now.

I reckon an eight hour session sounds about right for a full build. Dude, that is hardcore!

[Stokesy44]

OK go on then, I'll watch this one

I'll do my best to entertain you!

[Stokesy44]

I was out for most of yesterday so didn't get a huge amount done.

I put the hulls together, it all fits nicely (with just a little 'persuasion') - this thing is a BIG sucker!



I got myself 'Dragon'd', which is my way of saying I saw the parts in the instructions, recognised them on the sprue and put them on the kit - only to find the correct parts were on another sprue and I'd put the wrong bits on my tank. The offending parts are the lower hull mounts for the sprockets, the correct parts have weld seams where they meet the forward armour on the upper hull, the parts I used don't!

So it was out with the filler in an attempt to make some weld seams. Its not finished yet, some more texturing is needed but the basis is there.





Added the power cable for the lamp, feeling pleased with myself.



Remainder of the session was about putting some Magic Track links together and figuring out how to build them up. My chosen method with indy link jobs is to build in 2 parts, upper and lower, working the upper length over the idler and sprocket to set. The trick is to get the shape but still be able to get the length off the tank for painting and weathering etc. All good fun but dull in terms pics so nothing to see here - yet

[TheNordus]

I reckon an eight hour session sounds about right for a full build. Dude, that is hardcore!

I tend to have 2-3 hours of breaks in that eight hours, usually in one lump in the middle of the session.
Did you use some kind of plastic for that wire or is it wire covered in insulation?

And now for something completely different...

[Stokesy44]

Did you use some kind of plastic for that wire or is it wire covered in insulation?

And now for something completely different...

Plastic, coerced into shape with my fingers and a little CA. I tried some lead wire but it didn't work, even as I shaped it I realised it was much too think.

As for the YT video - very cool, I've got the original version of this on a CD compilation from the BBC's Britain At War In Colour TV series. Its on a playlist I often have going when I'm at the bench

[TheNordus]

Plastic, coerced into shape with my fingers and a little CA. I tried some lead wire but it didn't work, even as I shaped it I realised it was much too think.

As for the YT video - very cool, I've got the original version of this on a CD compilation from the BBC's Britain At War In Colour TV series. Its on a playlist I often have going when I'm at the bench

The wire looks spot on.

I love this video because of Windsor Davis, had never heard of "It ain't half hot mum" before this dropped into my recommended videos. My friend had a DVD set of the 'allo 'allo series which is a part of the same series of tv shows. I loved that one to bits when I watched it some years ago. I love old comedies, especially from Britain and Finland.

[Stokesy44]

Plastic, coerced into shape with my fingers and a little CA. I tried some lead wire but it didn't work, even as I shaped it I realised it was much too think.

As for the YT video - very cool, I've got the original version of this on a CD compilation from the BBC's Britain At War In Colour TV series. Its on a playlist I often have going when I'm at the bench

The wire looks spot on.

I love this video because of Windsor Davis, had never heard of "It ain't half hot mum" before this dropped into my recommended videos. My friend had a DVD set of the 'allo 'allo series which is a part of the same series of tv shows. I loved that one to bits when I watched it some years ago. I love old comedies, especially from Britain and Finland.

I loved Allo Allo too. I remember when it came out some whingers were saying it was disrespectful so the BBC showed it to some veterans who thought it was hilarious. End of discussion.

Got stuck into the tracks today. These Tiger II tracks are great because they stay together for test fitting without glue. The ones on my recent Russian TD build fell apart if you looked at them sideways

So I built them in upper and lower sections had a butchers.



Once I was happy they would link up properly and the sag was ok I built the other top section and set them both to dry on the tank. I've learned by experience they wont stick to the wheels while drying so no drama.





I built the second lower section and put it with the other one out of the way. I'll glue and set those once the uppers have fully cured - again, experience!

Then it was on to the turret. Still a few bits to do, especially the track hangers.





This may be a problem - lovely metal barrel but no counterweight. I'll have to McGyver something inside the turret to stop the droopy look

[TheNordus]

I seem to remember I had to glue the gun to a certain elevation because of the metal barrel. It's never fun and it bothers the heck out of me every time I check my old collection.

[Stokesy44]

I seem to remember I had to glue the gun to a certain elevation because of the metal barrel. It's never fun and it bothers the heck out of me every time I check my old collection.

I've got a Jagdtiger by Tamiya with a metal barrel for the big 128mm. The mount must have loosened up since I built it because the gun's got a proper brewer's droop now

[Stokesy44]

Today was officially Greeblies Day

First up were the track hangers. All through the process I could sense the carpet monster looking over my shoulder. Thankfully he didn't get anything to feast on! Also, thank the maker for Tamiya TET



Sanded the track links to remove the ejector pin marks.









Some nice detail on the hatch, I've added the interior bits as It looks like I will get some crew for the turret and show both hatches open.



Solved the problem of the droopy cannon. I thought of a fancy way to do it but in the end I just dribbled TET onto the mount inside the turret.





Skirts all cleaned up ready for cutting up.



I need to do my research on the tank in question before I decide which bits to discard. Photos of the tank in La Gleize taken just after the battle and then later on show the skirts in various states of disarray, be it combat damage or salvaging. Given I plan to show the tank as it was on reaching the town (and there's no photos of that) I will probably use some creative licence and come up with something that can show the tracks off but doesn't go further than the state of the tank after it was initially knocked out.

All good fun.

[Tomcat64]

Nice progress mate

On the gun-barrel droop if you're not displaying an open turret (or you're putting a crewman in the hatch) then I've counter-weighted metal barrels previously by adding fishing weights into the cartridge catcher basket thingy or wheel weights directly underneath the breech. I'm not sure how effective it'd be on a barrel the size you're using here, but it might help the TET out to some degree.

[Stokesy44]

Nice progress mate

On the gun-barrel droop if you're not displaying an open turret (or you're putting a crewman in the hatch) then I've counter-weighted metal barrels previously by adding fishing weights into the cartridge catcher basket thingy or wheel weights directly underneath the breech. I'm not sure how effective it'd be on a barrel the size you're using here, but it might help the TET out to some degree.

I thought about putting weight in the shell basket, great minds eh? In the end I think the TET has done the job so I’ll let sleeping dogs lie.

I’ve got Tamiya’s Nashorn in the stash and a honking great metal barrel for the 88. I reckon the damn thing will probably tip up with that thing on it

[Stokesy44]

Couldn't leave it alone

Worked on the fenders. This is how they looked just after the fighting was over. The left side is pretty clear in the photo. On the right, I think the only piece left is the most forward one, the rest have gone. I have another pic which shows the right side and its the only piece visible.



I cut up the fenders and trimmed all the edges. I also 'bent' the forward fender to replicate the photo. It needs more work







I then went back to the tracks. I glued the lower lengths and set them on the tank to cure. They mated up nicely with the uppers on the sprockets and idlers - this thing is now looking like a proper Tiger!!!!



Once both sides were done I took a few 'beauty' pics. Damn this thing looks good - such a classic design. I know it was too heavy, I know the engine, transmission and suspension weren't really up to it but you've got to say it looks good. And before anyone says anything, I am fully aware of what it represents, that is not what I am commenting on here.









Front mudguards on. You can see the connector holes drilled in the right mudguard, the side piece is not going to be attached, hence the holes. Nicely thinned down at the edges too using sanding sticks, my hobby knife and a file.



The plan for tomorrow is finalise the fenders - which includes more thinning down, put the PE engine grills on and decide whether or not to attach the tow cables before painting.

[TheNordus]

Damn, that looks fine, but what is TET? I usually find it easier to paint the towing cables separate from the tank, otherwise it's impossible to paint them good and proper without spilling the paint on the tank itself.

[Stokesy44]

Damn, that looks fine, but what is TET? I usually find it easier to paint the towing cables separate from the tank, otherwise it's impossible to paint them good and proper without spilling the paint on the tank itself.

TET is Tamiya Extra Thin cement.

I reckon I’ll paint the cables separately

[Tomcat64]

Looks fantastic mate - I can see why you're chuffed with it!

The tracks worked out really well.

[Stokesy44]

Looks fantastic mate - I can see why you're chuffed with it!

The tracks worked out really well.

Thanks mate. I really like the look of the tracks myself- which leads me to a bit of a dilemma. I'm not happy with the way the skirts are turning out so I may leave them off, that way the tracks will be seen, which is great, but I will not be able to build the tank as the one from La Gleize. Its not the end of the world and it does give me a bit more latitude with the diorama.

I've seen pics of Tigers with Paratroopers so I may do a more generic dio instead. I've sourced some tank crew from a cyber hobby kit so it looks like I'll have the 2 turret hatches open. What with the crew and the paras, there will be plenty to look at. I'll still do the base as I planned it and go from there.

At least I know what I'm doing with the tank now. I suspect the dio will be another matter.

[Tomcat64]

What's up with the fenders mate? Is it that the plastic is a little too thick to do what you want with them? Maybe worth seeing if there's a PE set out there which might help out? I do agree that at least the saggy part of the track should be visible on Tigers & Panthers - it's so distinctive and such a shame when it's covered off with the fenders or schurzen.

I know what you mean about dios taking on a life of their own though Will this fit onto the base you created for the Elefant? It might give you some ideas about how you want to ultimately display it.

[Stokesy44]

What's up with the fenders mate? Is it that the plastic is a little too thick to do what you want with them? Maybe worth seeing if there's a PE set out there which might help out? I do agree that at least the saggy part of the track should be visible on Tigers & Panthers - it's so distinctive and such a shame when it's covered off with the fenders or schurzen.

I know what you mean about dios taking on a life of their own though Will this fit onto the base you created for the Elefant? It might give you some ideas about how you want to ultimately display it.

Pretty much yes, even thinning them down I cant manipulate them enough to make them look right. I'm looking into PE ones at the mo. If I can get a cheap set then I might go for it, otherwise I'll leave them off - which is fine too.

[Stokesy44]

What's up with the fenders mate? Is it that the plastic is a little too thick to do what you want with them? Maybe worth seeing if there's a PE set out there which might help out? I do agree that at least the saggy part of the track should be visible on Tigers & Panthers - it's so distinctive and such a shame when it's covered off with the fenders or schurzen.

Look at what you made me do

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ED35702

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/TA35256

Ok, so I'm back on track for "Up the hill to La Gleize"

[Tomcat64]

[Stokesy44]

After making the call on the fenders I finished off the build with the PE grills on the engine deck. I also added the lamp, all the wheel hubs and took the outer wheels off ready for painting. The inners will stay on as they can be painted while still attached.



So that's it, until the PE fenders arrive. I'm hoping I can do a real job on them and show the Tiger as having really bashed its way across the Ardennes.

It could be amazing, equally it could end up a proper dog's breakfast. Fenders are due Saturday

[Kevthemodeller]

You certainly have got your mojo back

Great find and such a good deal on the kit mate

[Quax]

blimey Stokesy you've gone from box to beauty in 6 days! this was a bargain for £25, I'm amazed that the seller didn't have it on evilbay!

I thought we were going to send these to Neil for the dio...

cheers

Paul

[Stokesy44]

blimey Stokesy you've gone from box to beauty in 6 days! this was a bargain for £25, I'm amazed that the seller didn't have it on evilbay!

I thought we were going to send these to Neil for the dio...

cheers

Paul

Thanks Paul, I couldn't quite believe it when I saw the stand at the model show, they had a couple of shelves full discounted Dragon kits. Coming away with the Tiger and the Flak 88 I was well chuffed, part of me wishes I had bought a couple more now.

As for sending it off to Neil, I don't want to push the guy over the edge

[Stokesy44]

You certainly have got your mojo back

Great find and such a good deal on the kit mate

I'm definitely enjoying the bench again. Now if Hannants can just pull their finger out and get those fenders to me

£25 for a proper Dragon with goodies

[Tomcat64]

As for sending it off to Neil, I don't want to push the guy over the edge

Already over the edge!


Looking forward to seeing what you create with this now though

[Stokesy44]

Looking forward to seeing what you create with this now though

Got the foam board out this morning, the synapses are pinging away with ideas, I'm thinking a curved road heading upward on a tilted base, inclined hedgerow one side, slight drop off on the other. Instead of DAS clay (too heavy and will warp the base), I'm going to build the contours with the foam board then dress with Tetrion before applying the snow paint, foliage, road slush etc.

The board is A3 size and I'm currently trying to decide whether to cut it down a bit or go big!

[Quax]

Got the foam board out this morning, the synapses are pinging away with ideas, I'm thinking a curved road heading upward on a tilted base, inclined hedgerow one side, slight drop off on the other. Instead of DAS clay (too heavy and will warp the base), I'm going to build the contours with the foam board then dress with Tetrion before applying the snow paint, foliage, road slush etc.

where do you get your foam board from?

Paul

[Stokesy44]

Got the foam board out this morning, the synapses are pinging away with ideas, I'm thinking a curved road heading upward on a tilted base, inclined hedgerow one side, slight drop off on the other. Instead of DAS clay (too heavy and will warp the base), I'm going to build the contours with the foam board then dress with Tetrion before applying the snow paint, foliage, road slush etc.

where do you get your foam board from?

Paul

Hobbycraft, but you can also get it at Staples and places like The Range. Anywhere that does decent levels of office supplies or arts and crafts.

I also looked at ebay when I got mine but it seemed to be industrial sizes and quantities

[Quax]

ah ok. Our Range doesnt seem to stock it but I love their picture frames for dio bases!

Paul

[Tomcat64]

A3 - that'd be a superb dio size. I always have plans to go big and then reality hits when I realise I've got nowhere to put it when it's done!

[Stokesy44]

A3 - that'd be a superb dio size. I always have plans to go big and then reality hits when I realise I've got nowhere to put it when it's done!

Been drawing on my foam boards this afternoon and had a brainwave - shell holes! US artillery dropped over 50,000 shells on La Gleize and the surrounding hills in an attempt to smash Peiper's unit. They became hemmed in short of the Meuse because the bridges were destroyed, why not show something of that on the roads too?

Uphill sunken road, shelling impacts on the banks and debris.....

Time to get the old knife out me thinks.....

[TheNordus]

Sounds really exciting, I wish I had space for an A3 -sized diorama. It's surprisingly hard to fit two tanks on an A4. I can hardly wait to see how the diorama will come along, it's super inspiring for me to see others work from bottom up on them.

[Stokesy44]

Sounds really exciting, I wish I had space for an A3 -sized diorama. It's surprisingly hard to fit two tanks on an A4. I can hardly wait to see how the diorama will come along, it's super inspiring for me to see others work from bottom up on them.

Started cutting the foam board this afternoon. First thoughts are, what the f*** have I started here?

[demarcation]

Great work so far mate!

[Stokesy44]

Postie delivered while I was out yesterday. Woohoo



And here's the dio base as it looks so far. It looks pretty silly at present but once I've boxed it all in properly and sculpted out the shell holes it should be ready for all the surface work.



I plan on placing the tank at the bottom of the hill with its gun trained on the bend in the road. I'll place the soldiers ahead of the vehicle as they scout ahead for enemy positions??



Where I live there's a big communal garden for the residents of the old house (where my flat is) and I plan a raid for some 'set dressing'. I'm sure the other residents wont mind - its all in the name of art, darling

[xSCAR45]

Quite an ambitious project going on. Looking forward to what you do to the base!