Hello all,

I've decided to take the plunge and post some pics of my work. It's far from perfect, but I'm satisfied for this go-round. Every time I look at it, I find more flaws, but it did serve as a test bed for a few new techniques and products. I'm just happy to have finally finished it as I started it before we moved into our new home and had a modeling hiatus of several months.

It's a Tamiya Tiger I Early. Painted with Tamiya spray cans for the most part, with some hand-brushing with Tamiya, Model Master, and Poly Scale Acrylics. Weathering is done via oil wash (my first attempt at an oil wash and I've got a lot to learn!), Tamiya weathering pigments, and MIG and MMP Powders.

All constructive criticism is quite welcome! Thanks for looking.

Looks excellent. Makes me want one. I like those grey tigers

I think that it is a nice clean build...

Now IF I could only get myself to that level!

Regards

Dieter

Garyj36 & Orffer,

Thanks for the positive feedback. I've got so much to learn in this hobby, but at least it seems I'm on the right track!

- Frank

I just hope my Tiger would turn out to be that nice... I haven't dared to start it yet.
Nice work!

Frank

Great looking Tiger On the steel portions of the pioneer tools you may want to try and darken them up I use Humbrol gun metal for the tools on my tanks

I gree the statement above. Another way of making them darker (a little) is by applying graphite (pencil lead) and then applying a black wash...

Cheers

Chad & Arvin,

Thanks for pointing out the tools! I'll look into both options as they're both great tips for my next projects. For the time being, I might try to tone them down a bit more with the Tamiya Weathering Pigments. The stuff is on the pasty side and the soot/black just might work as well.

Thanks guys!

- Frank

I personally think that this has the right ammount of weathering. Not so much that is it absolutely caked all over, but not so suble as to thinking it wasn't even put together without any greasing of axels. Granted, it could benifit with a dusting of sandy coloured dirt. Well... A light coloured dirt.

Your Tiger looks great. Which oil paints did you use? Which Tamiya spray can did you use? It looks much lighter than their TS-4 German Grey.


Phillip

Gday Frank
I like the look of the Grey Panzer also!
The suggestions for your tools are good, and whilst on the topic, is that a tie down point for the shovel towards the head? Just that it looks as though it is 'floating' whereas it should be on the deck? I'm not too sure (as it isn't a Sherman!;)
Agree with Robert re the light coloured dusting... Would contrast well on the road wheels with the grey colour...
Cheers
Brad

Andras - thanks you! I'm sure your Tiger will look fantastic. Plan on posting pics?

Robert & Brad - it does look a little off without more dust. I did apply a light earth/dust pigment over the side skirts and upper deck. It could probably use a little more, but I didn't want to overdo it. Thank you for the suggestion!

The tie-down is definitely popped. Not sure if it got bumped, but it's not right. Good catch.

Philip - It is Tamiya's German Gray (TS-4) for the base coat. What I did was light coat the entire tank with MMP Worn Panzer Gray pigment, then lightly apply mineral spirits to bind it in. The mineral spirits give a nice texture and take away from the eveness as they spread out. I would simply dip a brush in a capful of spirits, then lightly touch the edge of the brush to the model, usually at an edge and let the spirits spread out in their own fashion. That's how I get the front of the deck to look like I did. The rest of the tank just has a lesser degree of pigment on it.

As for oils, I'm using Windsor & Newton Artisit's Oil Colors & Turpenoid Natural. In particular, I just used Raw Umber for the wash. A couple of interesting points: This was my first ever attempt at an oil wash, so it's a bit crude in places in my opinion. The washes took forever to dry. In fact, I think they were still slightly wet when I started applying pigments, even though they felt pretty dry to the touch. What happened was my pigments would soak in a bit and add texture and change the color slightly of the wash in places. I didn't intend that to happen, but it is an interesting effect.

Thanks all!
- Frank

Frank,
I can't tell what color you used on your tow cables.I would do a oiled dark color,like a maintained cable,then a thin rust wash in the crevices of the cable itself.
And on the top of the exhaust pipes,A like sooty color would look nice.

Thanks for the pointers, Carl. I debated the exhaust covers and decided to give rust as shot this time as an experiment. Going to soot is easy enough, though.

The tow cables were sprayed with Tamiya Light Gunmetal, washed with Tamiya Smoke, Dull-Coted, then rubbed with Tamiya Rust Weathering Pigments. They look a little darker in person, but I do appreciate the tips for making them look more realistic.

Much appreciated!

- Frank

Hi Frank,

I don't know much about German armour but what catches my eye are the wheels. They look a little too clear and unmarked. Maybe tone them down a litle with some MIG pigments, same detail on the top of the two 'bins' at the back.

A ncie model, thanks for post the pics.

Al

Al - thanks for the feedback and the compliments!

If I can get a few minutes at the bench today, I'll start looking into implementing what I've read so far.

For the record, I was quite nervous posting my Tiger on here. So many fantastic talents - it's a bit intimidating for certain.

- Frank

It's a nice job overall. I agree with your opinion of the washes. I'd say to try a few thinner layers of wash to buildup color. It gives a bit more control.
I'd go easier on the rings around the barrel too. That in my opinion is to heavy. I'd almost want just a shadow in there.

I'd say this is a 4' model - nice to view at about 4' and out. The closer you get the more he wash affects my impression.

For a 1st armor try it's a very good start.

Scott,

Thanks for your honest evaluation. I'm in the finishing stages of a Sdkfz 222 right now, so I'll get to tone down my wash technique with that one.

Just a quick clarification. This Tiger I isn't my first armor model, but it is the first that I've really put alot of effort into weathering and trying new techniques. My few armor builds since getting back into the hobby a couple of years ago were clean or had very light, basic weathering. Not a big deal, but I just wanted to give a truer sense of my experience level. I still consider myself quite the rookie kitbuilder!

Your 4' comment made me smile. In high school, there was a girl that we called 20' Mary... :-)

Hi Frank ..Nice tiger you got there ...I have to agree with most of the comments so far ..your wash is kinda harsh ..if I were you I'd try to go back over the wash with a panzer grey drybrushing ...try and get the edges of the wash to disappear...same thing around the wheel hubs that's a bit too dark ...for that part I'd just dust up the wheels with some dirt colored pigments...
One other little thing I noticed the wire cutters should have redbrown handles .
All in all a nice build . I just finished a tiger and I enjoyed the build ..if you want to see some pictures ..

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/69991&page=1

Rick

Rick,

Fantastic Tiger! That's the result I'm aspiring to! I'm realizing that the spray cans do in a pinch, but I have to seriously consider an airbrush in my future to really achieve what I'm looking for.

I appreciate the tips and the explanations, as well as the compliments. All very much appreciated!

- Frank