I've got the Academy Tiger I mid production kit with interior (#1387) does anyone know if the interior stuff can be used in the Tamiya Tiger I Initial production Ausf. Afrika (#35227)? I don't know enough about Tigers to know if the interior changed from the DAK variant to the mid production variant, or if the insides will even fit into the Tamiya kit.

I've also got the Eduard PE set #35301 for the Tamiya Tiger Early. Is this the correct one for the Afrika Initial production variant or at least compatible?

Someone may go one better on this, but IIRC the problem with the Academy Tiger I early kit with interior was the interior was wrong or missing pieces. Then they released the mid-production version with the same interior, which was completely wrong as the mid-production turret interior was vastly changed from the early as were portions of the hull interior.

I think you'd do better look for a resin interior or think about a lot of research and converting/scratchbuilding.

PH

Rob;

I changed my wording in Google and finally found this info. It's from Rhodes Williams of "Last Panther in Pomerania" fame:

While there are a million little things which can be picked with it internally from missing, to simplified, to just plain wrong, a few of the major screw ups include; the much bemoaned asymmetrical turret shape, totally missing gun elevation gear on the RHS, the sponson ammo bins only 3 shells wide not 4, extremely undersized (flat) engine airfilters and 3 not 2 for the later HL230 P45.

But still as mentioned, for the money it is the better buy than Tamiya's to me because you at least get a kit of the same quality plus this stuff included as a bonus, and it looks better than a void when peering in. But if you plan to show off the interior, model for a comp and/or are a detail freak and want it 100% right - you are in for a ton of work if not a virtual scrachbuild...

But while it is just passable in layout for the Early model with all the probs hinted at above, remember too that when the Mid production vehicles were built from July '43 the interior underwent some major changes which renders this same interior that they have used for their Mid even more inaccurate! Most obvious is the redesign and repositioning of the recoil cylinder for the main gun from horizontally on the RHS to vertically in behind the CO's seat with a bike chain attachment to the gun cradle, and all the stowage remodelling this move entailed. The gunner's seat 'bridge' also changed and the firewall was totally redesigned in Sept.'43 etc.

So, as you can see, my initial comments were correct; especially the last.

Also, I forgot about the PE. The Afrika Tiger and Initial Tiger are pretty much the same, it's the misc changes to the Afrika Tigers that won't be on the PE set. But I thought that either Eduard or Aber has a Afrika Tiger set.

PH

Thanks for the info. Looks like I won't be needing the Academy Tiger after all.

I have the Eduard set because someone on M-L was selling the PE and a Jordi Rubio barrel for $20 delivered. I figured it was a good deal for a PE set that retails for $22+ and a gun tube/muzzle brake worth at least $8.

What is wrong with the Tamiya 35227? I have read that the turret is correct and this is the most correct OOTB that you can find, certainly more accurate than the the Early Tamiya Tigers and the Academy Tigers. (Yes, I have all of them.)

Scott

Nothing. I was just wondering if I could put the Academy interior into the DAK Tiger, but it looks like I can't. I ran across the Eduard PE set and barrel and the price was too good to pass up so I bought it.

This is good to know, thanks for the info.

I started to do the interior on an early tiger from Academy ...It might have just been me but ..nothing seemed to fit very well..crude details in places along with the other things that have been said...I guess if you just want enough detail to be seen thru the hatches it could work but I wouldn't buy a kit just for the interior. of course this is only my opinion ..

Richard

Yes, the two Tigers, Afrika and Initial versions from Tamiya, are the two best and most accurate OOTB. They even got the asymmetrical turrets correct.

As for the Academy kit, I built mine with just enough of the interior to show something thru the hatches and plan to fill the hatches with crewmen to block even more.

PH

Sabot,

I was referring to Pauls comments. I appreciate the replies... BTW, the 35227 is hard to find, I am currently trying to find another one to stash, I really dig the Feifels and the narrow fenders, etc...

Good luck on your project.

Scott