Tamiya 1/35 King Tiger

[RangerNeil]

After the mojo sapping last couple of builds I really wanted to do something that would flow nicely so I thought some armour would do - and it seemed a good time to make a start on my Tiger family. I had a look at the Academy Tiger 1 but it looked a bit complex for the moment with an interior and lots of PE so I picked up the Tamiya King Tiger. Tamiya's stuff usually going together without strife. The kit includes instructions for creating the Zimmerit coating but at the moment I'm unsure if I'll go that route. I have another King Tiger - RFM - in the stash which will get that treatment. I just want a simple mojo-lifting build right now.

So - firstly - the instructions:




















The sprues:














The decals:


Now - drum roll please - the build.
Step one was adding the suspension arms and drive casings to the hull. I really had forgotten the simple pleasure in removing a part from the sprue, doing some minor cleaning of the attachment points and then just fitting it where it was meant to go. And having precise locations so no guessing whe its meant to be of having to do major surgery!


Step two was builing the wheels, drive sprockets and idlers. As can be seen 5 of the 10 Type A road wheels are shown finished.


I have actually finished all 10 type A wheels, both drive sprockets and one idler - but the wife had dished dinner up and it was steak & onion pudding so had to finish in a rush!!

One question: Can anyone recommend a supplier of good quality metal track links now Friuhl is shutting down? I've never had much luck with these plastic band ones.

[aur0ra145]

Very cool kit, I've got one in my stash as well. I'm also looking into a "mojo recharge" type of build after the Apache.

I'm interested to hear if anyone knows where to get metal tracks from now.

[BigWall]

I don't know how true it is but, I heard that someone bought Friuhl and is working to get things sorted and resume production.

I'll be watching your build for sure. I'm modeling vicariously through you all right now so thank you to everyone.

It looks like you have the individual links as well. They worked well for me on my Jagdtiger. They allowed for a good sag.

[RangerNeil]

I don't know how true it is but, I heard that someone bought Friuhl and is working to get things sorted and resume production.

I'll be watching your build for sure. I'm modeling vicariously through you all right now so thank you to everyone.

It looks like you have the individual links as well. They worked well for me on my Jagdtiger. They allowed for a good sag.

It would be nice if Friuhl were going to be back in business. The actual tracks are plastic bands, I think the seperate links are to on the hull.

Which make of JagdTiger did you build? I have the RFM version in the stash.

[Stokesy44]

Very cool kit, I've got one in my stash as well. I'm also looking into a "mojo recharge" type of build after the Apache.

I'm interested to hear if anyone knows where to get metal tracks from now.

All the best of us have a Tamiya Tiger II in the stash.

I've got Zim stickers for mine. And you're right, its a safe bet of a kit. Perfect for when you need to hit the restart button.

[Stokesy44]

The only downside of a kit like a Tamiya Tiger 1 or 2 is that they are such safe bets, if you stuff it up you'll have to avoid looking yourself in the mirror for 6 months!

[digger303]

https://www.bnamodelworld.com/index.php ... ng%20Tiger

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002 ... Redirect=y

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006 ... Redirect=y

https://www.modelbouwenzo.nl/Metal-Trac ... Early-1/35

https://www.dominomodel.com/en/p/28022/ ... ort-track/

[BigWall]

Which make of JagdTiger did you build? I have the RFM version in the stash.

I did the Tamiya 1:35 version

[digger303]

Very cool kit, I've got one in my stash as well. I'm also looking into a "mojo recharge" type of build after the Apache.

I'm interested to hear if anyone knows where to get metal tracks from now.

All the best of us have a Tamiya Tiger II in the stash.

I've got Zim stickers for mine. And you're right, its a safe bet of a kit. Perfect for when you need to hit the restart button.

I've got 2....am I over compensating

[RangerNeil]

Very cool kit, I've got one in my stash as well. I'm also looking into a "mojo recharge" type of build after the Apache.

I'm interested to hear if anyone knows where to get metal tracks from now.

All the best of us have a Tamiya Tiger II in the stash.

I've got Zim stickers for mine. And you're right, its a safe bet of a kit. Perfect for when you need to hit the restart button.

This one comes with instuctions for creating the Zim using polyester filler and a razor saw. Don't think I'll try it on this one - in case I stuff it up!!! Which would kind of negate the whole purpose of building it!!!

https://www.bnamodelworld.com/index.php ... ng%20Tiger

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002 ... Redirect=y

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006 ... Redirect=y

https://www.modelbouwenzo.nl/Metal-Trac ... Early-1/35

https://www.dominomodel.com/en/p/28022/ ... ort-track/

Cheers Digger - will investigate!!!

For the record the Tiger stash is:
Tiger 1 (mid production) - Academy (with interior
Tiger 1 (early production) - Tamia - in transit
Tiger 2 - Tamiya
Jagd Tiger - Takom (with zimmerit!)
Tiger (P) Elefant - TBD
Schturm Tiger - RFM - in transit

Progress tonight - all the running gear is done:


And all the road wheels touch the floor!! Instructions made a special point of checking this!


So - Type A and Type B wheels, idlers and drive sprockets are all done and ready for priming. Exhaust stacks are ready for rubbing down as is the barrel of the 88. Rear components of the gun are cleaned up & ready to fit, jack is assembled and ready for paint, ammo racks are fitted to turret floor.
I'm really enjoying this build so far, totally hassle free!!

[Stokesy44]

I've got 2....am I over compensating

Nope, you're just being sensible and prepared. A trait often seen in Australians

[RangerNeil]

Some more Tiger work done. I am literally amazed at how well/how easily this kit is going together. I know the last couple of builds have been a nightmare but even so - I never expected to be this far down the road. I've actually had to stop.because I've run out of XF white and the exterior colour set hasn't been delivered yet!!
So the state so far:


Suspension, road wheels (Type A and B), idlers & drive sprockers are all.done. Breech assembly and barrel are done. Intake grill covers are done, Jack is done and the two exhaust stacks are done. Turret floor is nearly complete - ammo racks are in and crew seats. This is where the XF-2 ran out!

Next step was primer:


And really, apart from some minor parts painting, thats as far as things can go until the paint arrives!!

[BigWall]

Nice!

[digger303]

[Stokesy44]

Excellent speedy work.

Bit of trivia for you (or me showing my ignorance), I knew the Tiger 1 and II both carried an 88mm gun, I didn't know they were different guns.

The II was up-gunned with a more powerful 88 based on the Pak 40 anti-tank gun which had a muzzle velocity approx 30% higher than the 88 on the Tiger 1.

Because the 88 on the Tiger 1 wasn't scary enough!

[digger303]

Excellent speedy work.

Bit of trivia for you (or me showing my ignorance), I knew the Tiger 1 and II both carried an 88mm gun, I didn't know they were different guns.

The II was up-gunned with a more powerful 88 based on the Pak 40 anti-tank gun which had a muzzle velocity approx 30% higher than the 88 on the Tiger 1.

Because the 88 on the Tiger 1 wasn't scary enough!

Please correct me if I'm off base, but I thought the 88 in the tiger 1 was a cut down version of the 88 AA gun.

[Stokesy44]

Please correct me if I'm off base, but I thought the 88 in the tiger 1 was a cut down version of the 88 AA gun.

You are exactly correct, the KWK 36 88mm gun in the Tiger 1 was the same gun as used in the Flak 36

[RangerNeil]

Looks like Friul are back in business - the closing down caveat has gone from the site and I just ordered a set for the Tiger 1, King Tiger/JagdTiger and Elefant......

[digger303]

Looks like Friul are back in business - the closing down caveat has gone from the site and I just ordered a set for the Tiger 1, King Tiger/JagdTiger and Elefant......

Good pick up I wouldn't have thought to check there site after so long.

Wow your buying up, ah well it is Christmas

Pricing is on a par with buying 3d printed ready to go tracks...no assembly required.

[RangerNeil]

Looks like Friul are back in business - the closing down caveat has gone from the site and I just ordered a set for the Tiger 1, King Tiger/JagdTiger and Elefant......

Good pick up I wouldn't have thought to check there site after so long.

Wow your buying up, ah well it is Christmas

Pricing is on a par with buying 3d printed ready to go tracks...no assembly required.

Planning on having a Tiger fest over Xmas so in addition to the tracks I've got the AK Interactive sets of German WW2 tank interior and exterior colours in order.

Back the build - and this kit continues to just fall together!!! Today saw thetrack covers go on, any detailing onthe upper hull thats painted the same colour as the hull and some of the turret detailing. The 8 spare sectionsof track that hang off the hooks are done as is the loaders hatch and escape hatch. Exhausts are painted as per kit instructions and I've started on the figure of the commander. For some reason the instructions call for it to be painted a semi gloss black and not a matt black.....

[Donkeywalloper]

Morning Neil
You can't beat a Tamiya to rejuvenate the MoJo. They are simple and go together like a Cheese sandwich (Yup, bit of a weird analogy).
I will pull up a chair and stare intently (but not to creepily) at your skilled hands building this venerable kit.
Cheers
John

[RangerNeil]

Morning Neil
You can't beat a Tamiya to rejuvenate the MoJo. They are simple and go together like a Cheese sandwich (Yup, bit of a weird analogy).
I will pull up a chair and stare intently (but not to creepily) at your skilled hands building this venerable kit.
Cheers
John

Thank you for the kind words I think when it comes to skill, though, yours far surpasses mine. That Comet was a masterpiece!! And its good to have you back on the forum again.

Back to the build and, until the paint and the track arrives, I have gone as far as I can now. This where we are at:

[digger303]

Looks good in build and paint.

[aur0ra145]

Builds up quick!

[RangerNeil]

Builds up quick!

It does indeed!! And perhaps more importantly - goes together well!! A definite mojo builder.
As the XF2 white arrived today I finished off the turret interior and then joined the base to the upper turret. The tape is because the turret sides are slightly splayed due to not being joined at the front. In all honesty I could have left it to set as it looked OK but the instructions said tape it - so I did.




Tomorrow its time to lay the base coat on - the AK paint set arrived today - which I think is the yellow.

[digger303]

[RangerNeil]

Basic turret completed tonight!
Must put my hand up and sdmit to a goof-up though! The gun pinion is a nut and bolt, I thought I'd done it tight enough but when the gun barrel went on the weight had it flopping everywhere and - of course - the screw is now inaccesible. So I've compromised, set the gun at an appropriate angle and added CA to the underside of the breech so it stays in that position

[Stokesy44]

The old brewer's droop!

It happens to all of us. On my Panzer IV I had to attach a small wedge to the interior of the turret roof to push the back of the gun down so the barrel didn't look like it was hunting for truffles!

[RangerNeil]

One yellow King Tiger!!


The turret and top surface of the hull were done via airbrush but I had the devils own job firstly getting the paint thin enough without being too wet and then the tip not drying every few seconds - compressor was running at 17-18 psi and I was using Vallejo acrylic thinners. Obviously I was doing something wrong, just got to work out what. Basically I'd get two passes with a good flow and then the airbrush would start stuttering, putting a patch of paint gap, patch of paint repeated until I took the nozzle off and gave the tip of the needle a wipe with a damp cotton bud. So I gave up and used a brush - I remembered Digger saying in the postal goodies thread these paints were great for brush painting . The upper hull sides and everything else else in the photo were done with a 6mm flat brush and have turned out very well I think .
Next job is the wheel rims - King Tigers had steel wheels without the solid rubber band as seen on early to mid-production Tiger 1's. I used the rims to hold whilst painting the inner and outer faces so now the faces can be held to do the rims.
Once this is done I can add nearly all the wheels to the lower hull. I say "nearly" because I believe the Friuhl tracks will come with a replacement drive sprocket and to fit that requires the leading outer wheel to be fitted at the same time. Not sure when the tracks will arrive - probs January now - but the hulls can be joined temporarily to allow the cammo overlay to go on.

[Stokesy44]

Airbrush problems sound strange. Maybe a good old clean will solve the problem. I know some people dont like Vallejo thinners but I have used them before and they seemed ok to me. Perhaps it was just some duff paint.

It still looks good though and the camo will break it all up if there's any texture issues.

[digger303]

Adding retarder might help.
Regardless the paint looks very smooth and even....lovely.

[RangerNeil]

Laid the green on by hairy stick after the issues with the yellow. Was a bit concerned at first but its smoothed out and dried nicely.




Next step is the red-brown. And adding the centre wheels/rear idlers.

Been a bit slow on the build front the last couple of days - prepping for a Mediaeval Baebes concert last night (and yes, that is real chain maille - 26 Kg's worth)

[digger303]

What green all I can see is red....

[RangerNeil]

What green all I can see is red....

You are supposed to be looking up.at the King Tiger, not down at all the ladies!!!

[RangerNeil]

Red-Brown overlay now on as are the inner road wheels.

[Stokesy44]

Stunning! And the tank aint bad neither!

[digger303]

Stunning! And the tank aint bad neither!

Kind of jealous I am

[RangerNeil]

Almost finished as far as the kit goes now. The camouflage is done (although I'm not sure how well - first time I've done this style) and all the fittings are on bar the cupola machine gun. Thats leant against the clamp in one photo allowing the touch-up paint to dry from where the sprue attachments on the barrel were cleaned up. Next job once its all dry is a quick gloss coat and then the decals. Might try dirtying it up a bit and maybe try giving the track links on the turret a rusty look. Then its a case of having to wait for the Friuhl tracks to arrive to complete it.

[Stokesy44]

AMBUSH! Good work

[BigWall]

Looks good!

[Tomcat64]

All the best of us have a Tamiya Tiger II in the stash.

[Confession]My name is Tomcat and I don't have a Tamiya Tiger II in my stash[/Confession]

Interesting info on the different 88mm guns in the Tiger family though - I didn't know that

You can't beat a Tamiya to rejuvenate the MoJo. They are simple and go together like a Cheese sandwich (Yup, bit of a weird analogy).

Been a bit slow on the build front the last couple of days - prepping for a Mediaeval Baebes concert last night (and yes, that is real chain maille - 26 Kg's worth)

I think we've got one of their CDs around here somewhere - must dig that out and give it a blast again; are they based locally to you or were just looking to pick up a Knight errant?


Back to the kit and that's gone together really nicely & cracking work on the ambush camo scheme too

[RangerNeil]

All the best of us have a Tamiya Tiger II in the stash.

[Confession]My name is Tomcat and I don't have a Tamiya Tiger II in my stash[/Confession]

Interesting info on the different 88mm guns in the Tiger family though - I didn't know that

You can't beat a Tamiya to rejuvenate the MoJo. They are simple and go together like a Cheese sandwich (Yup, bit of a weird analogy).

Been a bit slow on the build front the last couple of days - prepping for a Mediaeval Baebes concert last night (and yes, that is real chain maille - 26 Kg's worth)

I think we've got one of their CDs around here somewhere - must dig that out and give it a blast again; are they based locally to you or were just looking to pick up a Knight errant?


Back to the kit and that's gone together really nicely & cracking work on the ambush camo scheme too

A confession easily remedied - and quickly in order to save face!! Some of us have two.......

The group were on tour in the UK and always request members of the audience to come in Mediaeval clothing. Been a quiet year so I gave the 13th C Templar rig an airing. Ended getting "possessed" by the group.

Thanks to everyone for the kind words. Looking forwards to getting the Friuhl tracks to see if the new buyer has maintained the quality and to how much better they look than the plastic ones.

[RangerNeil]

So - the Friuhl tracks are here and I've made a start.....


I'm going to say here and now - yet again - this job is the ultimate definition of mind numbing!!!
There are 210 links, 105 a side, 3 parts per link (+ the pins) and in 1.5 hours I managed to do 10!! In my defence it was speeding up towards the end and I was a bit hampered by not having a 0.5mm drill so I was putting a 0.4mm through and then pushing the wire pin through. It worked -but I've got some 0.5mm drill bits on order.

Finished section of 10 plus the assembly jig they provide. In truth I found it easier not using the jig as it was hard to see the opening to push the wire pin into.


Whilst assembling the links I thought the looked odd compared to the ones on the turret. So I picked one off to compare:


Seems I ordered the transport tracks rather than the normal ones

Will have to make sure I order the combat tracks for the other one in the stash
Measured the length of the pin after assembling the first one - its was bang on 19mm so.I made a little jig to ensure each one was cut to this length.

[digger303]

[RangerNeil]

Well, I think I can safely say assembling white metal tracks has to be one of the most mind numbing, soul destroying (and at times painful when that thin wire pushes into a fingertip) jobs in modelling!!! But, it also has to be said, the end result is worth it.
Bad news is theres at least 2 more sets to do for the Tiger 1 and Elefant.
Good news is one side of this set is done and maybe a quarter of the other. Hopefully I'll finish tomorrow and then they can go in the burnishing liquid to age/weather them before fitting

[digger303]

Well, I think I can safely say assembling white metal tracks has to be one of the most mind numbing, soul destroying (and at times painful when that thin wire pushes into a fingertip) jobs in modelling!!! But, it also has to be said, the end result is worth it.
Bad news is theres at least 2 more sets to do for the Tiger 1 and Elefant.
Good news is one side of this set is done and maybe a quarter of the other. Hopefully I'll finish tomorrow and then they can go in the burnishing liquid to age/weather them before fitting

A job I have yet to experience, but it will happen. I'm starting to lean towards 3d printed tracks from what I have read they have less clean up and articulate well.

[aur0ra145]

The tracks look good so far, I'm sure they'll really add to the end result. Which burnishing fluid are you planning on using?

[RangerNeil]

Well, I think I can safely say assembling white metal tracks has to be one of the most mind numbing, soul destroying (and at times painful when that thin wire pushes into a fingertip) jobs in modelling!!! But, it also has to be said, the end result is worth it.
Bad news is theres at least 2 more sets to do for the Tiger 1 and Elefant.
Good news is one side of this set is done and maybe a quarter of the other. Hopefully I'll finish tomorrow and then they can go in the burnishing liquid to age/weather them before fitting

A job I have yet to experience, but it will happen. I'm starting to lean towards 3d printed tracks from what I have read they have less clean up and articulate well.

These Friuhl only required minimal clean up - maybe 8 or 9 parts out of 146 needed either flash removal ot a wipe with a file. Biggest pain - literally - was pressing the 0.5mm wire track pins in -they go through skin like a hot knife through butter. And the metal is heavy enough to give authentic track sag!!

The tracks look good so far, I'm sure they'll really add to the end result. Which burnishing fluid are you planning on using?

Many thanks - kind words always appreciated!!
I have a bottle of Ultimate's fluid in the drawer - thats worked well for me in the past.....

We have two completed tracks at last!!!

[digger303]

[RangerNeil]

Completed the King Tiger tracks yesterday,gave then a good sscrubbing in warm, soapy, water then rinsed thoroughly under a tap and dried them. Then placed them in a tub of Ultimate's burnishing fluid.


Left them for about 5 minute, hooked them out and rinsed them umoff under a tap. Overall its worked well but where a fair few spots where the metal is still bright. Got no idea why. WeTbering should help.hide them though.