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Michael D. Smith
USA
190 Posts |
 Posted - 03/01/2006 : 19:29:24
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Well, I'm in a bit of a quandry. I'm not sure how to classify
my latest acquisition it is the Tiger I from Dragon in 1/35.
This is the first in a new series in the "Can Do" range. This series has been very prolific in 1/72 with almost anything you can name being offered in the way of armor. These are pre-built and painted and ready for display. They are beautifuly done but 1/72
scale never appealed to me. When I heard about a new line in 1/35 I was interested. When I saw the photo's I was hooked. What we have here is a instant model. Just add water. Wait, you don't have to do that. Just remove from the formitable packageing, install the antenna and you are good to go. While the idea of a ready-made model is repugnet to many, I find this the answner to those who want an excellent display model but feel they don't have a knack for Tanks. This is truly a nice piece of work. This is No Toy. It seems to me that Dragon used their molds of their initial production Tiger to produce this gem. It looks just like the styrene version. All the detail is there. Presented here is Tank 412 of S. PZ. ABT. 501 in Tunisia in December, 1942. The paint job is in the much disputed "Peagreen" color. The markings and finish are flawless.
For a mass produced item this sure has the look of a well built kit. I guess it really is a kit but I didn't built it. I wish I could do do this good of a job. Maybe years ago. All of the hand tools and cables are painted nicely. All it needs is some subtle weathering. The only thing I would add is to paint the inside of the hatches in Panzer gray but they may have painted them green. Another questionable area. The hatches work by the way and have great detail. There are seats include for the commander and loader's hatches, so it is just asking for figures. There is detail in the drivers area, but not much. It has a breech and the #88 even recoils. This is really a neat item. I am told this is the start a long series that will include famous Tigers and probably Tiger II if they do panthers, I am done for. All I need is another hobby. The lower huall is cast metal and the rest is in what appears to be ABS plastic. I just remembered that this cat may need engine deck screens, but maybe they did not have them in North Africa. Don't know for sure. I know that Tamiya offeres ready to go models also, but they are hundereds of bucks. This little fella goes for about 67.00. While more than the cost of the do-it your self DML kit, considering the quality I think it's worth it. This will look good on a base in your collection. I may bring my new
kitty to the next meeting and show it off.
Papagato
Dancing as fast as I can |
Edited by - Michael D. Smith on 03/01/2006 21:01:01 |
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thebatman0
USA
193 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2006 : 22:18:18
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| Hi Mike, for your Tunisian Tiger I, yes, I would add screens. Screens were standard. No, I wouldn't paint the inside of the hatch panzer grey, they would have had time to paint the interior of the hatch the exterior color as was typical for hatches that flipped up and or over. The dispute over the actual colors of Tunisian Tigers will always be debatable. I believe they were all RAL 7008 the dark yellow/grey green color. All painted with paint that was thinned differently and applied with different thickness's. I believe its too hard to tell with photos taken with different lighting, angles and so on and so on. There were two different tones though of this particular paint besides different RAL #s' as one appeared greener than the other. Still yet the underlying grey color often bled through to some extent and gave the yellow a green tint besides. Were there really US olive drab painted Tiger Is'? the jury is still out on that one for me, though I've found some pictures that appear so. More later, charlie |
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Michael D. Smith
USA
190 Posts |
Posted - 03/11/2006 : 19:40:23
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Hey Charlie-
Thanks for the info. I will get a set of screens from Eduard.
I agree with you about the green paint. I have the old George Blanford book on vehicles in North Africa and it says about the same thing. And I have always trusted it. When I go to weather this little guy I will show some gray paint wearing through here and there. I do have a question for you Charlie or any other Tiger afficinado who might read this. Enclosed in a small bag was a strange piece that is about 5/8 or 3/4 of an inch long and about 1/16 wide. The small diagram shows that it goes on the top of the Mantlet on the left side in line with the commander's cupola. I have never seen this before so this is a new one on me. The only thing I can think of is that this might be a direct sighting vane for the commander to use. Any ideas Charlie ? I would like to know what this gizmo is before I glue it on. Some thing tells me it ain't a rain gauge.
Papagato
Dancing as fast as I can |
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thebatman0
USA
193 Posts |
Posted - 03/11/2006 : 20:30:20
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| Mike, there was a small flat vane with a pryamind cut on the tip. It attached to the back side of the gun mantel. I only know of it being used in north africa. reference the box art, the was a view of this on the original plastic kit. |
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Michael D. Smith
USA
190 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2006 : 13:59:52
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Charlie-
That's what I thought it was, thanks for the help.
Papagato
Dancing as fast as I can |
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A New Cat in Town
