Bosch lights;



I think that Dragon Bosch lights deserve a wee bit of attention here. The kit parts for the light hub and lights are excellent, however, there are one or two issues that the later ‘Smart’ kits have beaten 6252 on. Inferior to the hub is a hexagonal bolt detail, missing in these kit pieces, yet present in Smart Kits (look closely at the lateral shot – you can just see the added bolt detail. I used a 0.8mm Plastruct hex rod for this). Further, the Smart kit pieces have the filament at the rear of the Bosch light, yet this kit will deed that to be upgraded. That said; I think the wire receiver on these kit parts is better, as it is slightly wider and therefore lends itself better to being drilled out. For this build I have chosen to deploy the Bosch lights on the hull, rather than the glacis (as I will do so on the upcoming DAK build), further I have decided to leave the lights off & show the exposed plug detail using parts J9, which are actually very finely detailed. In all, I am extremely pleased with the outcome of the light configuration and detailing. With respect to armoured light hubs/roses; I note that Achtung Panzer also states that the conical hubs were used in the early forms of the Initial/Early Tiger 1’s, yet the angulated roses were used later. It does not, however, state exactly when this changed. I will use this conical format for the first two (Initial) builds only.



Thanks for looking in!


Bill

http://panzersinscale.blogspot.com/

Final comment for today; Bill Plunk - nice to have you on board. Thanks for coming in.

Van & David; thanks for the info re the flatties - that means one less item to super detail, innit?!

Nice one!


Abyssinia! X

It really looks like a tank now. I always have trouble with the small parts, let alone PE - I can't wait to see yours with all the little details attached!

BTW, I've noticed that forums tend to have a fairly limited amount of space for your pics. I tend to go with Photobucket myself.

Hi Kirk; thanks for the feedback.

Looks like I will have to investigate getting a Photobucket account, then.

Cheers & I'll be back soon!


Bill

http://panzersinscale.blogspot.com/

Have you tried shrinking the images. I have hundreds on here and still loads of room to boot.

Open the image in Paint, Hit [control] + W to resize images so they are about the same size as the PC monitor. That's the biggest people are likely to want to view the image when clicked on in the blog. If you make it too small, hit undo {Contol+ Z) and start again. Save the image (as a new file if you want to preserve the original), then upload it to kitmaker.

That should sort you out bud.

Stuart

Bill, impressive work thus far an indeed quite the ambitious project you have set out for yourself. I too recently did a Tiger I. It was the Tamiya DAK Tiger that I detailed up. It's more or less done now but I am just finishing off the Tank commander. I posted some Pic's awhile back on ML of my detail work and will be posting the finished vignette hopefully in the next week on the same site.

David Byrden noticed the front hull towing hook area was incorrect on the Tamiya kit I had done and mentioned this to me which I was able to correct.

Here's the link to my DAK s. Pz . Abt 501 Tiger 112 if you wish to have a look.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/110741/message/1265769448/Tiger+112+of+s-Pz-+Abt+501+ready+for+Paint

Hi Stu; thanks for the advice - I will try that, but for the most part the images are less than 200kb each time. Maybe the default position on my gallery is to scare me into using Photobucket? He he...

Hi Armour Dude; I will have a look at that link & thanks for the advice. Also - welcome to the thread!

Hi Guys!



Frontal aspect. Here you can see one of the features that were later deleted in May 1943; the butterfly nuts on threaded bolts to the sides of the forward MG position, which will hold in place the wading cover (another spare to be used at a later date, I suspect). In this instance I have used the PE pieces from the Voyager set. Thus far I have not been wholly impressed with this update, however, do believe that on the whole is does this kit credit, yet so much of it seems to be superfluous (as there is so much quality PE in the 6252 kit). The retaining lugs that are sited wither side of the MG are a joy to behold and will look especially fine when painted. The two-part pieces are adhered with a tiny blob of Zap Gap Filling formula CA.

The other item of note is the partly represented spare track retention system; on two photographs of 111 I am sure that there is evidence for this apparatus’ existence on the AFV and as a result I have decided to leave it be, albeit in a somewhat ramshackle fashion (the upper bar is missing here, which gives it a little untold story, I believe). The upper bar would have been thicker, yet the side attachments are thinner than the lower, static, bar. I did a little bit of PE deleting the other day, yet decided that this item should stay.

Looking at the frontal aspect you notice a lack of relief of the holes to the lateral parts of the glacis that attach the front mudguards; these circular apertures will later be built up with a disc, but this early in the series they are simple holes in the armour. They are for the use of disguising camouflage gear (I read that this was to attach something to the tank to make it look more like a truck, but have not seen the device so will leave it at that).

In this photograph you also get an early view of the fantastic OOB smoke dischargers; more on this later!

Rear plate; here you can see WIP for the unique tool stowage system for Tiger 111 of sPzAbt 502 in 1942. The rear mudguards that are Dragon items; actually very well represented here, as the Voyager parts have separate bolts, which is unnecessary. The crank started handle is a modified Tamiya piece from their Panzer IV OVM tool set. In addition to the sledge hammer, crank handle, jack supports and track pin tool I will add one final tool; the spade, which lies over the sledge hammer, perpendicular to its axis (i.e. vertically) with the shovel blade at the top.

The tow hitch has two PE pieces attached to a grey Slater’s rod for the tow bar. This is a nice touch for the super-detailer. This may be the final time we see the older style cat’s eyes Notek convoy light at the rear, as it was replaced with a cylindrical convoy tail-light in October 1943 and I have not yet decided which month the DAK build would be placed.

Finally, the exhaust stack flappers were operated by a turn-key mechanism, which is not represented in the kit; Mitsuru Bitoh shows this in his diagrams of Achtung Panzer #6, so I thought that I might add the finer detail here. In my next build I will make sure that the flappers are open and these keys are in the correct position. It is unclear to me whether or not these keys were removable or twist open/shut like on the Panzer IV louvers (i.e whether they were permanently present), but I quite fancied detailing the build thus. For this I used Eduard pieces from a long discarded Panzer IV PE sprue.

Engine deck and rear hull sides; here you can see that I have added the Voyager Model engine deck screens; the reticulated pattern is well presented, however, these screens are two dimensional in that they do not have the folded down edge detail, as the later Dragon kits provide. I have detailed the hinge-bolts of the deck latches as well as the lugs (albeit hollow ones, which is incorrect; I may not use this detail in future).

You will notice the absence of brass grab handles on this model. For the most part I find dragon handles to be superior in detail as the ends are often more finely detailed than straight wire (the handle often widens just before the hull, which is nigh-on impossible to reproduce with a paper clip). I feel that if you sand these items carefully they will do an excellent job; all you need is a pair of fine toothed forceps, a gentle touch and a fine sanding stick (salon smooth, don’t you know!) That said; I notice in Achtung Panzer #6 the loaders hatch grab handle is squashed flat, which means that it is a hollow tube of metal rather than a solid rod…food for thought.

You can also clearly see the filling required to eliminate the Feifel hole in the engine bay door (thereby backdating Dragon 6252). You can also see the asymmetry of the two rear pistol ports on the turret; I was pleased that the base kit offers spare parts to represent this albeit with a little ‘savvy’.

With respect to the engine deck there will be one further detail required; the fire extinguisher. This will be the same pattern as later in the run, but will have a slightly different position, which I will show later on. You will also note the circular filler holes, which are not represented in Tamiya kits; the main reason why I will also be using 6252 for the upcoming 501/DAK build. This appearance changed in January 1943; the middle filler caps had squared lateral flanges from that date, but was not consistently so.

The right rear hull side shot shows the particularly excellent spare antenna stowage tube straight out of the 6252 box; this piece alone makes 6252 worth every penny in a super-detailers mind. You will notice that it protrudes beyond the rear plate and that the capped end is posterior in this model; not only will it move forward later, but it will also be turned around, presumably for the Feifel and later S-mine launchers and, of course, access to the tube itself. Here you will also note the turned brass antenna (RB Models, Armorscale & Aber all produce an incredibly similar piece, but judging by the minute additional thickness I would be inclined to think that this was a recently purchased RB Models piece – I keep them all in one bag).

Finally in these shots you will notice the symmetrically placed twin crowbars (I opted for the 1200mm in the end; a pragmatic decision on my behalf, as I couldn’t face the debate). The PE detailing at the tips of the bars is from the Dragon kit, the 3-part hinged straps are Voyager Model (for continuity throughout the project). Talking of which; the Voyager Model PE set is dramatically incorrect with its instructions and extremely frustrating as the numbers are completely wrong. Inexperienced PE detailers could be thwarted by this.

Overhead shot; reminiscent of the initial shots of the Afrika Tiger now resting in Bovington, which was pictured for posterity shortly after capture in a similar manner. I think this picture speaks for itself. Note the addition PE parts to the cupola and loader’s hatch – such a small part will make a difference in the final reckoning. Shame about the Tipp-Ex; it breaks up such a lovely finish.

Turret detail, specifically with reference to the smoke dischargers; here you can see a close detail shot of the Aber turret MG34. This is a finely detailed piece of ‘aftermarketry’ that I can’t recommend highly enough. Stand alone it might seem to be relatively unassuming, but in addition to the other detail pieces it brings the kit to life and will definitely help to make the final piece a show model. I follow David Byrden’s advice not to let this part protrude too much – as listed in his Tiger 1 info website.

The final topic of discussion rests entirely with the turret smoke dischargers. Right from the start these six Dragon brass forms stun you. The turret mounted smoke dischargers fired a Schnellnebelkerze (NbK-S-39) smoke canister and had a slightly complex firing mechanism (at least, complex to correctly render it in 1/35). The kit option does include parts for the firing mechanism and spring clip retainer, but omits the retaining chain or wire from the turret. These items were factory installed from August 1942 until May 1943 (the Tiger 1 was still designated as Early then, but minus the smoke dischargers). I feel that yet again Voyager Model lets the detailer down as the kit parts do require a little something, yet the aftermarket contingent are silent. I have scratched the ignition wore from the turret to the canisters and created weld beading around the superior surface of the smoke dischargers’ attachment strip. The interior detail of these canisters is actually highly impressive and Dragon gets a big thumbs-up from me for that.

Jobs to do;

* I must remember to add the rain shield rods to the drum cupola, which were welded to the top ring of the cupola until January 1943.
* Front mudguards.
* Spade
* Fire extinguisher
* snagging points

That is all for today and thanks for looking in!


Bill

http://panzersinscale.blogspot.com/

You've put the turret MG protruding a long way out, was this common? Or even possible?

David

Hi David

I shall endeavour to keep it further back next time. Thanks for the memo; have you got any pictures of the usual coaxial appearence?

Bill

The smoke dischargers will paint up nicely, the wire details is a nice touch.

Have you thought of texturing the hull plates slightly with a rotary tool? Comes out like pitting when painted.

Stuart

Can't go looking at photos now, but the diagram in the Turret Manual shows only the flared part of the MG protruding.

David

Hi Stu - I have decided not to texture the armour surfaces of these builds. There are some techniques that I have made a decision not to employ & that is one.

Hello David; if you get the chance to find any pictures of said co-axial MG I would love to see them.


Bill

If this Tiger tank were musical I believe it would be a version of Jo Whiley’s Live Lounge; stripped back to the bare bones, yet essentially beautiful and melodic. The frippery of the later Tigers is absent, evidenced by the speed of construction and detailing. This final series of shots shows the first project completed bar one item; addition of the grub screws to the gun sleeve, which I will add before moving on to the DAK Tiger. I will explain this process and the rationale for it when I show pictures at the time.

These four overhead shots give you a general impression of what 111 would have looked like in its heyday. The rain cover posts are in situ (an afterthought last night), the fire extinguisher is made with the Voyager Model PE & a modified Tamiya piece (nice to see Tamiya put another look in there) and the obvious soft copper Karaya cable mounted as though for immediate deployment in case of problems. You can also see the five gun cleaning rods, which were individually cleaned up, separated and had their ends opened up with a 0.5mm drill bit to accommodate the male/female pairing mechanism when making the single rod (these individual rods are longer than the later ones used on the Tiger 1 and are not available as an AM item that I am aware of, so I modified the kit pieces).

The completed rear plate shows the unique OVM tool stowage that 111 had. The OVM tool detailing includes (from left to right); brackets for the jack, crank started handle, track pin tool, spade and sledge hammer. I have looked very closely at the rear of 111 to ascertain whether the tool on the right was a sledge hammer or an axe, but in one shot it looks like the former, the other the latter (shadows cause an awful lot of confusion). In the absence of upper hull detail shots I have omitted further OVM tools save the fire extinguisher (which you can see clearly here) and cleaning rods from the tank. This picture also shows you the angular style of the initial towing U-hooks; another fine piece of detailing from Dragon as even the pins are metal. The tow cable has the longer (earlier) shanks to the tow eyes, these will change to the shorter style soon enough.

Front plate and glacis; little more to add about this view other than the sublimely detailed front mudguards. These were unique to the Initial production and were phased out relatively quickly. Dragon do offer an appliqué PE part (with no less than three tread-plate pattern options), but Voyager Model take the prize with 3-D detailing, rivet detail and fantastic hinges (two per side), which obfuscates from the very start! One tiny additional item of detail are the mudguard latches; three parts of PE per side, a hook, its base and a strap for the fender. Fantastic!

This gives you a glimpse of the additional detailing that the drum cupola and loaders hatch got before completion; the addition of the rain shield posts and some finer detailing of the hinges of those areas in PE. I was going to stamp on the loaders hatch grab handle with my size 10 jackboots, but sense got the better of me there. The turret is still intact…

Further overhead shot of the engine deck.

That is all for today and thanks for looking in! Comments, questions & critique warmly welcomed.

This draws to a close Tiger build number 1 (notwithtanding the requisite grub screw shots, which will come soon enough), so the next shots will be WIP of Tiger build number 2; DAK-attack!


Bill

http://panzersinscale.blogspot.com/

Tiger 1, Initial (sPzAbt 501/‘DAK’)

The second build of this run will incorporate items from Dragon 6252, Tiger 1 Initial Production, Leningrad 1943 and necessary supplements from the Tamiya ‘DAK’ Tiger 1 kit. My initial plan was to use the Tamiya kit wholly, but on inspection that kit has an incorrect engine deck configuration and will lends itself better to a later Tiger in the production run (I will use this for the David Parker 1943 sPzAbt 502 Doppleganger Tiger). There will be a styrene DAK-style turret bin on this build. This Tiger was produced in the autumn of 1942 (September) and was one of the first 20 of the production run. You will recognise the Initial Tiger 1 features throughout this build, but will also spot the obvious upgrades.

Principally the popular concept of a DAK Tiger was an initial Tiger 1 with some embellishment. There were subtle differences between many of the DAK Tigers, but this one will represent one of the earliest arrivals in Tunisia, having been received by the sPzAbt 501 and then later passed over to the 10 Pz Div in North Africa. Looking at later DAK Tigers they look very similar to the classic ‘Early’ Tiger 1, with few identifiable DAK features, but with this build I hope to encapsulate the distilled DAK version. Having spent time looking for the right Tiger 1, Afrika I have come to the conclusion that Tiger 112, later 812 and finally 712 (same Tiger, different tac numbers under different companies/Abteilungen) is the correct AFV to build; an Initial Tiger 1 with back-to-front tow ropes, sloped fenders and all the trimmings (that I can see). Some of the additions may be incorrect, but I will throw the DAK book at this tank and hope to give it the number 112, which will represent Fgst 250012, which is just a pigeon step away from the last build, but will have a number of differences, albeit superficial.

Features of this build will include;

Tiger 1early 88mm barrel
Initial style gun mantlet
Asymmetrical turret rear pistol ports
DAK style turret bin (different to the later production version)
Unique DAK-style louvered exhaust shrouds
Spare track carriage at the bottom of the rear plate
The first application of all left-hand run Tiger 1, early tracks
Reverse tow cable stowage
Unique track cable stowage
Ranging vane on the turret
Flappers on the exhaust
Initial style crank starter mount
Second style tow U-hooks (rounded shanks)
Early-style Feifel and apparatus
Glacis mounted twin Bosch lights
DAK-style round-edged rear mudguards
Angulated fender runs on both sides
Rear plate mounted tool box
Camouflage loops introduced
Rear plate reflector (absent in the first build)

This project will use the following items;

• PzKpfwVI Ausf E SdKfz 181, Tiger 1 Initial Production, ref 6252
• Tamiya DAK Tiger, ref 6252 for specific DAK spares
• Friul Tiger 1 Early tracks
• Voyager Model DAK Tiger 1 for Tamiya PE set, ref 35227
• Armorscale 8.8cm KwK 36 L/56 Tiger I barrel & resin mantlet (early model), ref
• Aber MG 34 machine gun tips barrel for turret mount, ref 35L83
• Aber Barrel for German Tank MG 34 machine guns, ref 35L63
• RB Models turned brass antenna, ref 35A02
• Voyager Model Feifel hoses
• Aber 15t jack

Items to be used from the Tamiya DAK Tiger;

• Turret bin
• Early design Feifel
• Rear plate tool box

I shall also have to raid the spares box for a number of items along the way.

The final finish of the kit will include base-colour tactical number (112) with white outlines on left and right aspects of the turret. I suspect that this build will be more of a challenge than the last one.


Bill

http://panzersinscale.blogspot.com/

Your first build looks great, Bill! I am eagerly looking forward to the second