I've posted 1 or 2 photos of my superdetailed project on the Heng Long 1:16 Tiger 1.

Hopefully this shows that with a little effort the $50 basic model off Ebay can be turned into a very accurate example of a late Tiger 1. The model is a replica of Wittmann's Tiger 205 on the day after D-Day (on its forced march to Normandy). Experience has shown that the basic dimensions of the model are extremely accurate. This is perhaps not too surprising since they are copied from the expensive Tamiya 1:16 original!

If members are interested in this project I can provide additional photos, conversion detail and links to all the fantastic source material I have used.

After several months I am now at the painting stage and need your help!! The model has reached the base coat of Dunkelgelb stage, and await the olive green and brown camouflage. However, I've found contradictory info on the shades of these colours. Can anyone advise on the paint ratio's using Tamiya Acrylics to achieve the right colours.

Regards
John

So...where are they?

David

Sorry David, Newbie at work!!

Check out my Gallery. Sorry but couldn't work out how to embed them in the post - doh.

John

Hi John,

This is a sticky subject to say the least as I don't think anyone can fully agree about the correct shades of these colours!
However, usual Tamiya paint matches are:

Dunkelgelb: XF-60 (Dark Yellow)

Olivgrun: XF-58 (Olive Green)

RotBraun: XF-64 (Red Brown)

However, these should be lightened darkened as you require, specificly the green and brown as if applied by troops in the field the colour varied dramatically.

Hope this helps and I am prepared to be corrected!

James

Wow. Did you build all those conversion parts for the Late version? Or buy them? If you built them, great job!

The shape of the turret stowage bin looks a little 'off' to me...

David

David,

Many of the items have been obtained from a wide range of sources, particularly sites in Germany. I bought the;

late wheels

turret cupola (in fact there are 2 versions available. The first one I bought was awful, but this second version is really good).

Track link holders and track sections (the holders themselves are fantastic, and even come with the mould numbers etc)

Turret Air Vent

Various tools

The tougher work was the application of zimmerit. Having recognised the variation in hull and turret application patterns. The turret is far courser and follows the 'raked' pattern. Whereas the hull is the smaller closer.

I also had to remove existing tools, move brackets and make hull air vent cover, fill the turret roof joint, modify the rear engine cover (including scratch building its air vent with bolts) etc etc. I can provide a detailed list of all that it entailed if people want to follow a simple root.

The final point to make is that without your absolutely fantastic website this would not have been possible. I did in fact exchange a few e-mails with you over the last few months to check out and get advice on one or two things. The dimensions your site provided were converted to 1:16 and then used in the project. I intend to list my sources etc in coming days.

Regards
John

Thanks for the pointer. I will go with the basic colours you suggest and experiment with some lightening before applying to the model.

Does anyone have any useful material of the 101SS 2nd Company camouflage schemes for summer of 44'. The 2 photos I have of tank 205 are not clear enough to make out the finer detail of the pattern.

David,

I've posted another 4 photographs in my photos section which show the model before the base coat was applied. From these photos you can see more clearly the modifications I made.

Regards
John

I have been looking at these tanks, because of the price. I'm glad to see that they are accurate in dimensions. Keep us posted on you progress.

Thanks