Global Scale Modeller

My entry into The Tiger I Tank SIG in honor of Coen will be Cyberhobby # 9142

Pz Kpw.VI Ausf. E Sd. Kfz. 181, Early Production, LAH, Operation Citadel, July 1943.

Looking forward to jumping into my very first Tiger I kit ever - excited...giddy as a kid.

For your first tiger I build Jon, you picked a really good kit to start with.
It should be an enjoyable build bud.

Good luck and have fun with it Jon. Thank you for joining. Look forward to seeing it come together.

Bloody hell jon, you been gnawing on that box lol

Paul wrote:Bloody hell jon, you been gnawing on that box lol

Just like pirates did with coins
You have to make sure its real , kids do it to just watch your own for proof
But a nice kit Jon , i was planning to make that one myself but i decided to do another one
Good luck with the build

A little explanation about the box condition. I ordered the kit from a supplier in Germany - so a German Tiger I from Germany, cool eh? - it was taking forever to arrive and when finally the post arrived, the outer carton was wet - I mean soaking wet, dripping onto the ground and I thought - oh Brad Pitt.
So, I immediately opened the package to find the kit's container soaking wet as well. Luckily, none of the contents were affected by this delivery soaking - and thus, a gnawed on looking container resulted when it was dry - though I am chomping at the bit to get started with it, there is no actual gnawing taking place.

UPDATE #1

Jumped in just about an hour after the new year began. This is a fantastic kit with many options to choose, I have chosen the cover art version to model. So far I've run into very common Dragon instruction issues - calling out the wrong parts and confusing placements. However, all the issues so far have been overcome with consultations with our resident Tiger I professors. Here is how it stands right now.












And here's where I began...lower hull and wheels. I am saving the wheels for later right now.







This is one of the issues with this kit - the wheels. Those things in-between are actually sprues that need to be cut away. Since there are 24 road wheels per side, these will be put on the back burner for now.



Then there was some confusion when deciding between parts CI 1 and CI 12, which represent the engine muffler flapper caps. The problem? Parts CI 1 and CI 12 are identical, which means this Tiger can only be displayed with the engine off.



One on the left - CI 1. The one on the right - CI 12.



Plus, the muffler itself called out in the instructions as part P 11, would be used if there was a part to display the engine running and the flapper in the open position from the exhaust being emitted...but noooo. The part to use was found on sprue B, part B 6.

P-11 on top, B-6 on the bottom.



These just wouldn't fit together.




So, once that issue was sorted out, I surged forward, putting the radiators and cooling fans inside the hull and attaching the rear plate. I decided to add some color inside just in case one could see inside through the mesh and grates. Plus, it made me feel better to paint it up a bit.





Adding on the rear plate parts.
















So, lower hull done for now, it was on to the top deck plate. I decided to position the driver's hatch closed and the RO's hatch open.









There were some very fiddly bits that took major concentration to put together and place.




Nicely pre-bent (rounded edges actually) in this kit too. And not many pieces either (phew!)





Then - friction fitted (just laying there really) to see how they matched up.



And then is was onto the bow plate, which is where I am today.



Hope you like. I am open for help and suggestions, as this is my first Tiger I kit build of any kind.

TTFN!

Great progress so far Jon. Looks like a lovely kit.

What a great start Jon! You mean business with this dude.
You're almost 40% done I'd say. Wow!

I love this shot... it says.... TIGER BUILD!!!!

UPDATE

Here we go - 4 days and it is almost complete and ready for priming and the rest of the modeling.

















Not really the best fitting parts.























Now for the turret and main gun

First the gun



Tada!





Turret time











BANG!



Starting to look like a Tiger now.





Both hatches are going to be posed open for future occupants perhaps







































Now for the tracks while things cure
Primed flat black, then dry brushed with XF-52 Flat Earth and XF-57 Buff



Here is where I am today - major building is complete.

Awesome dude just awesome. Nice breakdown of all the steps Jon

More more!! I know she's in paint now... More more!

OK. OK

Here is some more of the progress for consumption.

After putting it all together and making sure all the required parts were on it, it was time to beat it up just a bit.

Cut apart the side skirts with a small razor saw and left off a couple. With a pair of pliers, I bent and moved the plastic into irregular shapes as if it had been through a rough stretch. I also added some impact damage from taking hits with a Dremel tool and very careful marring.



































When I was satisfied with the look - a true veteran this one - I primed in flat black











Once the prime coat had cured - 24-hour later - I put down the base coat - good 'ol Dunkelgelb



I had previously worked all the running gear and put them on just dry fit and some PVA in some places to hold them.





One side with wheels on.



Definitely looking the Tiger part now.



A little different lighting.





The plastic shrouds were not easy to manipulate, but I think I did a good job of banging them up a bit.







Having never ever done a German armor camo pattern, I decided on a two-tone, as was appropriate for the time period, July 1943, Eastern Front, I think it came out pretty good.















With a bit different lighting









Then I spent some time with a track wash.









DECALS!







After spending some time during a hangout painting the tools and accessories, it is now ready and waiting for the gloss seal coat.



The tracks needed some more help, so Ultimate Mud and Dark Dirt washes were used.







All-in-all, I have enjoyed this very much so far. Weathering and chipping are coming up soon. I will also have some better images of the tools and cables.

Thanks for taking a look.

Great thread Jon, really interesting especially for a Tiger noobie. Your kitty has certainly been through the.... ....wars! Good photos too

WOW that is a beautiful model, beautifully built and painted. Not sure I would dare put so many holes for weathering as you have done, but then I am a complete noob working on my first kit in 20 years .

Great process pictures, really explains the process really well

/Karim

I love the look of those tracks Jon! That's well done bud. And all that battle damage, wow that thing is the king of the hill!!!

Great work jon, you progressed through this build quickly too

For your first go at a Tiger I, I'd say your doing great! Looking forward to seeing some weathering to match the battle damage, Jon. Model on!

Like the battle scars
Coming along nicely

Wow, great stuff. Love it!

Great work Jon you've done a really enjoyable thread to follow your progress! You'd never guess this was your first Tiger build by the standards you've achieved mate, top work the battle damage took some guts to do but it's paid off for you. Love your camo scheme to.
Look forward to your next instalment.

Holy crap That old girl has seen some action.....Very well done detail Jon

Tigers looking the part sir. Great Job!

OK - UPDATE number 3?

Tools sorted.













Hatches and openings sorted.





Exhaust



Tracks installed







Sagging set.









Other side





I applied an oil based wash on all the surfaces and allowed it to dry completely, using Abteilung 502 Wash Brown and odorless mineral spirits. After allowing the streaks to dry, using the odorless mineral spirits and a pointed brush, I shaped each streak until I was satisfied with the look.

Then the dot filter - yellow, white, back









Then I started of the rust effects using AK 013 Rust Streaks









Then it was time for some mud - Russian mud and a few other shades. These were MIG pigments, applied by brush and set with odorless mineral spirits.

























You can really see the battle scars in this shot.



Couple turret hatch shots.





And for a final touch, a mix of Ultimate Concrete and Light Dirt washes was applied by flicking the brush at the model, giving the freshly splattered look.























And with that, I'm calling this Tiger I done. I hope you like.

Top Job Jon!
The battle damage looks spot on to me. A tank that has been to hell and back!

Very nicely done Jon. Really like the battle damage. Top-notch job.

Holy samoly! What a veteran!
Freaking bold and beautiful Jon! Awesome!!!