'Royal Tiger in the woods' - 1/35 Tamiya King Tiger Production Turret + Diorama FINISHED

[chalkyw]

Hi Guys,

As mentioned in my last thread here I've put the diorama I was working on to bed for a while as I needed to refresh my mojo. I'll come back to 'The Italian job' towards the end of the year but during the last few weeks I've been working on a couple of different projects.

The first has been decorating the spare room, which was gathering rubbish at an alarming rate and turning it in to a new workspace I'm pretty chuffed with how its turned out and now I've got loads of space for modelling, everything has a place and there's loads of empty shelf space for me to fill .....FYI - There's an empty wall behind the photo


Project #2 has been starting a new diorama. Its going to be my second attempt at German armour and has been inspired by few Ardennes/King Tiger builds that I have seen recently and this piece of box art


I've got loads of new things that I want to try like making pine trees, improving my figure painting by giving oil paints a go and trying a snow scene so if any of that grabs you then keep watching.........but before all that we'll start with the King Tiger.

Many moons ago (back in January) when I first got back in to the hobby I bought Tamiya's King Tiger Production Turret Kit, I glued it together but didn't get any farther with it and its just been sat on the shelf gathering dust without any paint, so my dio idea seems the perfect place to resurrect it. My modelling skills have improved a little bit since I built it, so I decided to strip as much off it as I could and do a better job as I'd left lots of seam lines and glue marks that needed sanding back and I also added a few extra details and some wear and tear. Some of the extras include Friulmodel tracks (first time I've used them and they are superb), Eduard Photo Etch, metal tow and track cables, steel plate texturing with Mr Surfacer and a couple of scratch built additions. If anyone spots anything that I've got wrong I'd appreciate a heads up before I hit it with the primer as German armour is still unfamiliar territory.

Needless to say I forgot to take any pictures during this process but here it is all the same to kick off this new diorama build.









There's also a short video with more extensive photo's on my YouTube Channel here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REHktU5Tv48

I hope some of you decide to tag along on this new project and as always comments and criticism are always welcome
Cheers
Chalky

[mick]

great work

[Augustus]

i like already, a great pic you're basing it on. From what I gather the forest was pretty dense, how many pines trees you planning on making?

[chalkyw]

UPDATE #1:

I thought I'd share a small update of today's progress on some of the figures for the diorama, I've yet to start that but it will be the subject of a few updates I expect. I've been playing around with using oil paints for my figure painting and whilst my efforts aren't gold medal standard I'm pretty chuffed with how they've turned out for a first try. They look a bit exaggerated close up like this but they work really well at what would be a decent viewing distance for the diorama.

First there's the driver and radio operator for the King Tiger, both are resin but I can't remember who from as I've had them knocking around for ages





And this is Joachim Peiper by Alpine Miniatures who will be the focus of attention of a small group of other figures that are waiting in the wings (Google him if you don't know who he is)







I also found another image on the net that gives a flavour of the dio I want to create with Peiper in the foreground



I've just got hold of a Sd.Fkz 251/3 Halftrack by AFV Club which apparently was one of Peipers rides during the Ardennes offensive so I'll be documenting that build shortly as well.

As always let me know what you think
Cheers
Chalky

[chalkyw]

UPDATE #2:

Another update on this dio build in that I have started another vehicle which will be part of the scene as shown in the image in my last update. Various sources have indicated that one of the vehicles used by Joachim Peiper during the early days of the Ardennes Offensive was a Sd.Kfz 251/3 Halftrack.

The kit I'm using is by AFV Club with some Eduard PE and Friulmodel metal tracks.....after using the tracks for the first time on the King Tiger, I officially think they are the DB's .......So far the kit has been a nice build with no issues to speak of and its got a pretty good level of detail



Here's some progress shots of the build so far......

First the Lower Hull


Upper hull sides added


Front Suspension and road wheels


Track Suspension


Front Seats


and finally the Dashboard


Somehow I've managed to screw my back up at the weekend, which means I'm finding it difficult to sit at the bench in the evenings for any lengthy period of time but hopefully I'll be able to post some more progress soon, as this was all done last week
Cheers
Chalky

[SergioSolo]

Looking good!

[Augustus]

Very nice, I like half tracks, have to get me self one.

This your first bad back? Get ready for more haha

[Augustus]

[Tiger213]

Hi Chalky,

very nice idea, I love the figure of Jochen and that you have decided to build the Funkpanzerwagen, not very common concept

One thing about the TigerII though - if it is not in colour - for some reasons tanks from 501 sSSPzAbt did not have the lifting-jack on the rear plate, not even the holders. I can send you some pictures with details if you want.

btw, what turret number will the TigerII have?

Cheers

Robo

[chalkyw]

Looking good!

Thanks Sergiotron

Very nice, I like half tracks, have to get me self one. This your first bad back? Get ready for more haha

Cheers matey, see you splashed out on the halftrack then Not my first bad back incident but defo the worst to date, I spent 2 days crawling on the floor

[chalkyw]

Hi Chalky,very nice idea, I love the figure of Jochen and that you have decided to build the Funkpanzerwagen, not very common concept
One thing about the TigerII though - if it is not in colour - for some reasons tanks from 501 sSSPzAbt did not have the lifting-jack on the rear plate, not even the holders. I can send you some pictures with details if you want.
btw, what turret number will the TigerII have?
Cheers
Robo

Thanks Robo, my research threw up that Peiper spent some time riding with one of his officers in a Sd.Kfz 251/3 as originally I was going for a schwimmwagen, as in the well known 'crossroad' photo, but a lot of sources say that its not Peiper in that photograph so I went for the halftrack instead.

I'm not sure what turret number I'll be using as I've not looked in to it too deeply at the moment and also if tanks from 501 sSSPzAbt did not have the lifting-jack on the rear plate then I'd be interested to see some pics. Perhaps you can post them here as I'm sure there are others who would be interested too

[chalkyw]

UPDATE #3:

Another small update with some progress on the 251/3 Halftrack with some more PE detail to the hull interior




and the bench seats added




the interior then got a primer coat as I will paint and weather it before the hull top is added as lots of it will be inaccessible if I don't





this was then given a base coat using a mix for Dunkelgelb for Tamiya paint that I found on the web



70% XF60 Dark Yellow, 20% XF55 Deck Tan, 10% X24 Clear Yellow and 10% XF2 White if you're interested

Next will be detail painting for the interior and adding the internal storage boxes and radio sets.

As always let me know what you think and I hope you're enjoying the build.
Cheers
Chalky

[Tiger213]

for your knowledge about the topic... I love modelling for this particular aspect, you can learn a lot

as for the pictures, here is 222 and 213 from rear, no lifting jack is visible



as for the numbers, if Jochen Peiper will be present, the well known 222 is not possible, as it was going different route and joined the Kampfgruppe later. Based on my research, I recommend you these /all the tanks that crossed the river L'Ambleve north/: 008, 104, 105, 133, 204, 213, 221, 223, 332, 334. I have lots of pictures and details to each of these tanks so if you or any other modeller needs, just let me know.

[chalkyw]

for your knowledge about the topic... I love modelling for this particular aspect, you can learn a lot

as for the numbers, if Jochen Peiper will be present, the well known 222 is not possible, as it was going different route and joined the Kampfgruppe later. Based on my research, I recommend you these /all the tanks that crossed the river L'Ambleve north/: 008, 104, 105, 133, 204, 213, 221, 223, 332, 334. I have lots of pictures and details to each of these tanks so if you or any other modeller needs, just let me know.

Superb info Robo, thanks buddy

[Augustus]

Fantastic info. I find it amazing that such detail still exists, great research.

[haxorb]

Keep me updated! I really want to see how this one turns out!

[chalkyw]

UPDATE #4:

After the last update with the base coat put down it was time for detail painting of the interior, initially this was done with acrylics




The dashboard stayed as it was but I gave the brown on the wooden seats a light sanding to reveal some of the base coat to give a worn appearance and I lightly overpainted this with burnt sienna oil paint to enhance the colour. As you can see I need to touch up a few bits as I was a bit careless


I also painted over the MP40 magazine holders with oil paint to give a richer leather like colour and some shadow and highlight, which worked well I think


Next up were rifles for the gun racks, again base coated in acrylics and highlighted with oil paint as well as the slings


The rifles were then installed in their racks



Internal stowage bins added



The radio set was assembled and detail painted and I added some wiring, headphones and a morse tapper and I'll be adding a microphone at some point as well....the eagle eyed will notice that the bottom set is in upside down but it was to late too fix as its well and truly glued in



Finally the radio set was fixed in place and I painted a few other odds and sods


Because I used oil paint I've got to wait for it to dry properly but next up will be some chipping and wear and tear added, a gloss coat and some weathering applied, I'll also add a few bits and pieces to the stowage bins. I've also started to paint a few figures as well but more of that next time.

As always say it how you see it but most of all I hope you're enjoying the build
Cheers
Chalky

[Augustus]

Beautiful detailing mate, the only way you can tell that's upside down really is the (vu?) meter but you would have to get really close.

[Davethepitch]

The detail on the figures is really good.

[Ripaman]

Looking good Chalky

Regards
Richard

[chalkyw]

Beautiful detailing mate, the only way you can tell that's upside down really is the (vu?) meter but you would have to get really close.

It bugs me whenever I look at it though

[chalkyw]

Looking good Chalky

Regards
Richard

The detail on the figures is really good.

Thanks Fellas

[Augustus]

Beautiful detailing mate, the only way you can tell that's upside down really is the (vu?) meter but you would have to get really close.

It bugs me whenever I look at it though

I bet, and YOU'LL see it all the time, others won't.

[privatepete]

Brilliant,top notch detailing ,very honest of you to own up to that's it's upside down,I don't think anyone would have noticed it to be honest.
Pete

[chalkyw]

Brilliant,top notch detailing ,very honest of you to own up to that's it's upside down,I don't think anyone would have noticed it to be honest.
Pete

Cheers Pete

[chalkyw]

UPDATE #5:

Ola Peeps, I've not been doing much modelling lately as have been laid up with a knackered back but have managed a few short sessions at the bench and did a bit of painting.

First up are a couple of Panzergrenadier's for the dio (I've yet to start that)






Got a primer coat on the King Tiger



And lastly an early xmas present to myself arrived today, lol



Hopefully now that I'm on the mend I can make a bit more progress
Cheers
Chalky

[privatepete]

Hi chalky,cracking work on the figures , hope the back is on the mend.
Pete

[Tiger213]

Congrats on the airbrush, I have the same

The figures look amazing, I love the camo...well done

[Augustus]

Lovely work mate. Are you still using oils for the faces? I'm just wondering if when you do you still employ a wash?

Hehe, I remember a month or two ago you were wondering if Santa would bring you an new AB. Well looks like he delivered early, what a top bloke.

[chalkyw]

Lovely work mate. Are you still using oils for the faces? I'm just wondering if when you do you still employ a wash?

Hehe, I remember a month or two ago you were wondering if Santa would bring you an new AB. Well looks like he delivered early, what a top bloke.

You can add a wash mate but you gotta let the oils dry properly and then seal them in before you do...........yep, got the airbrush early

[Davethepitch]

the detail is brilliant on the figure.

[chalkyw]

UPDATE #6:

I managed a good few hours at the bench at the weekend and got some paint on the King Tiger using a German camo set from MIG Ammo and my new air brush (see last update) and both worked like a dream ......this one will be in ambush camo....maybe



First I shot the brown and then masked for the Dunkelgelb to leave the brown 'spots' using Whitetac an Tamiya tape



Once the Dunkelgelb was dry I masked for the green 'spots'



and this is what I ended up with



It all looks a bit 'bright' and the Dunkelgelb is different from the Tamiya Dark yellow that I've been used to but the colours are supposed to be pretty accurate and I've yet to add the ambush camo spots. Next step will be a few washes and filters and start on some weathering which will darken it all down but pretty pleased so far for my first attempt

See ya'll next time
Cheers
Chalky
PS. Thanks for the comments Gents

[Gauzer]

Coming along really nicely, enjoying seeing this progress.

[privatepete]

Hi chalky looking good I think the lighter Dunkelgelb looks great, more weathered/washed/aged you know what I mean I hope, the German camo set your using is it the MIG Ammo 7149 (003,015,011) can you let me know, if it is I'll have to get one.
Pete

[Augustus]

It came out very well!

If the set is as Pete says above then the Dunkelgelb you are using, 011 is a bit lighter. They have 010 which is a darker. From what I remember they represent different years as the actual paint used on vehicles changed over time.

[chalkyw]

Hi chalky looking good I think the lighter Dunkelgelb looks great, more weathered/washed/aged you know what I mean I hope, the German camo set your using is it the MIG Ammo 7149 (003,015,011) can you let me know, if it is I'll have to get one.
Pete

Yes Pete, those were the colours - 003,015,011

[chalkyw]

UPDATE #7:

A small update as I've changed my mind on the colours for the KT, so bought some more Mig Ammo paints and did this, the camera has lied a bit as the Dunkelgelb is a bit yellower and the brown is less red but.....



I've got a decent amount of time off over xmas so will be hoping to finish this dio for the new year
Cheers
Chalky

[privatepete]

Hi chalky looking good I think the lighter Dunkelgelb looks great, more weathered/washed/aged you know what I mean I hope, the German camo set your using is it the MIG Ammo 7149 (003,015,011) can you let me know, if it is I'll have to get one.
Pete

Yes Pete, those were the colours - 003,015,011

Thanks chalky for getting back with the paint info another thing to add to the christmas list
Pete

[privatepete]

Sorry, forgot to say I like the new colour scheme it's looks great.
Pete

[spock1701]

Looking great so far, chalky!

[GollyPo]

Looking great Chalky! They changed the camo colours for vehicles built from Dec '44, I think. I like the late war colours more, myself, but it's not what most people think of when they hear "German 3-tone camo", especially the ambush schemes. The good thing is that, by this stage in the war, the armoured vehicle manufacturing process was such that no standardisation was possible, no matter how stridently the upper echelons demanded it. Some of the late war schemes were devised specifically to save on paint and the variations from the various factories and depots means that you can go with your personal preference on the colours to a large extent, and still stay within the realms of plausibility. Looking forward to seeing the end result.

[Augustus]

Looking great Chalky! They changed the camo colours for vehicles built from Dec '44, I think. I like the late war colours more, myself, but it's not what most people think of when they hear "German 3-tone camo", especially the ambush schemes. The good thing is that, by this stage in the war, the armoured vehicle manufacturing process was such that no standardisation was possible, no matter how stridently the upper echelons demanded it. Some of the late war schemes were devised specifically to save on paint and the variations from the various factories and depots means that you can go with your personal preference on the colours to a large extent, and still stay within the realms of plausibility. Looking forward to seeing the end result.

Yep the shades of the colours changed during the war. Below are some Ammo/Mig paints showing some close mixes. From left to right Sandgrau, 3 shades of Dunkelgelb for different times and Gelbraun (which looks too light to me).

image.jpeg

image.jpeg

Personally I'd just go for the one that looks best to me!

[chalkyw]

UPDATE #8:

I managed to get some more work done on the halftrack at the weekend

I added a few more details to the inside and with a bit of a struggle I got the hull stuck together and the exterior detailed



Primed


Base coat


Masked for tri-tone camo using masking tape masks


And finally painted



On to decals and weathering

Always good to hear what you think
Cheers
Chalky

[privatepete]

Hi chalky some very nice detail work love the little things like the paper & pencil ,look's brilliant,one thing one of the bonnet hatch/cover is white why? (just started me king tiger with PE zim set )
Pete

[chalkyw]

Hi chalky some very nice detail work love the little things like the paper & pencil ,look's brilliant,one thing one of the bonnet hatch/cover is white why? (just started me king tiger with PE zim set )
Pete

Lol, Pete the eagle eyed spotted it ....I primed the rear doors then realised one of them was a bonnet hatch

[chalkyw]

I was hoping to get this project finished by the New Year but I've slowed up on this one recently.....I have managed to start weathering the SdKfz Halftrack and I'll be doing some more when I've got the dio ready but this one's going to run a bit longer than I thought as I've still got the King Tiger to paint to my satisfaction and a S.H.I.T load of figures still to paint, oh and a diorama base to start ......hey, ho

In the meantime here's where I am with the halftrack......BTW. Photobucket is absolute W.A.N.K (ISM won't let you type the words without using punctuation....get real guys!!) as to post this took an hour waiting for it to let me paste the links in between all the crappy adverts and pop ups!! ....I'll be posting Facebook links from now on









Till next time

[privatepete]

Hi chalky, I went over to Ficker 100% better then poobucket though I don't post builds anymore, have a look, and I'll miss your builds now as you posting on Facebook for reason I can not get it, won't let me join
Pete

[Augustus]

Hey Chalky looking forward to the tracks on this.

As for photobucket (don't know what system you're using I'm on me iPad mostly) but it's a breeze if you use their app.

[NormanD]

Very interesting build

[jjab99]

Wow, great skills on display here and great results to show for your hard work.