Hello Tiger Guru's,
Just starting back up in Armor, and would like to know your opinions on the best 1/35th tiger I kit to use for a Kursk dio. I am planing. I've been out of modeling for 6 yrs. now, and would really like to hear all of your suggestions. Checking the Internet is overwhelming! Also what are some good PE sets to use?


Thanks,
R. Casey

Hi! And welcome back. The DML tiger 1 is by far the best but I don't know if initial tigers were used at Kursk. Your best course of action is to visit David Byrden's tiger info page, or perhaps he will answer you here on this forum.

Hi Rick
You'll need an early version, so I suggest that you go with the one from Tamiya. It's not their latest output, but it's very nice and easy going. You might want to get a PE set from either Aber or Eduard, a turned metal barrel (Armorscale, RBM, Aber...) and some new tracks (Fruilimo, Modelkasten,...)
Good luck on your project.
Jacob

I agree with Julian. Dragon/DML have at least 1 tiger that was the Kursk version. And David's page is loaded with reference material.

Well, to be honest i'm not a panzer expert.
One of these days me too i'll "confront a tiger"

Anyway I think the best kit on sale is the DML one...but is very expensive

Tamiya kit is very nice...but is old and despite its age is not so cheap

I think the AFV one has the best quality price ratio

http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/afvclub/afv35s27.htm

Also the Academy kit with interiors is in my humble opinion recommended



Here

http://tiger1.info/index.html

you can find a site who explains the main corrections to do on main Tiger kits on sale

Good luck

Hi Rick ..right now Dragon doesn't have an early tiger for sale (hope this will change soon) So your only real options is either the Tamiya or Academy kits ...Both have their ups and downs but both will look like a tiger in the end ...have fun and welcome back!

http://store.spruebrothers.com/135-dragon-tiger-i--initial-spzabt502-leningrad-region-19423--smart-kit-6600-p23333.aspx
this is my next tiger purchase. comes with loads of extras, and i just plain like it.

http://store.spruebrothers.com/135-academy-tiger-i-early-1386-p7202.aspx
this is the one i'm building now, its my first tiger tank build. it has a few extras, but not metal pe.

hope this helps you.

reb

Build a Tamiya Early Tiger I kit.

You could build the Academy early if you want an interior, but the turret is inaccurate

Instead of trying vainly to find the right Dragon kit, build the Tamiya... and they can be had for about $25 on the secondary market.

As mentioned, Dragon has only offered an early 1943 production Tiger through their Cyber Hobby line as Michael Wittman's tank, but it was a limited edition kit in the "white box" line, and commands silly prices now (they've also offered a late production Tiger that Wittman used the following year in Normandy, so don't mix these up). Dragon's newly reissued "Initial" Tiger depicts one of the first nine tanks issued to the 502nd Battalion in late 1942, and it's not typical of the tanks in service in July, 1943. Eventually Dragon will offer an Early Tiger, since they have already created the necessary molds, but the timing of such a release is up to their marketing department--they don't want to saturate the market with too many seemingly similar kits in too short a period.
Tamiya's Early Tiger is the most accurate one available now for the Battle of Kursk. Add a set of workable tracks from AFV Club and some photoetch and you're good to go. If you're fussy, seek out a resin radiator and fan insert so there's something to see inside the engine grills.
As mentioned, Academy's turret is symmetrical, which is incorrect. Tiger Model Designs offered a replacement resin turret, if you want to use the Academy kit for its interior (note: Academy also offers a cheaper kit without the interior). Italeri's Tigers are pretty poor, having the same turret error, plus poor engineering.

Thanks for the replies so far guys. I took a look at all the sites that have been suggested, and have obtained a wealth of information in a very short time. I appreciate your time in helping me. I did see the Wittmann early production Tiger I before making the post, but, sadly is no longer produced. I like the Academy, Tamiya, and Dragon kits that are being offered, and would like to see Dragon release another Kursk version soon. The Dragon detail is outstanding! Thanks again for all your help

R. Casey

As everybody has already said the Dragon kits are fab but the earli Tiger from Tamiya should be perfect for your needs.The tank itself is painted german grey on the box lid,hope this helps as I've only just got back into armour modelling myself and can't believe the changes in the last 15 years.The new DML Tiger kit with zimmermitt is truly amazing detail wise,I'D RECOMMEND IT WITHOUT HESITATION although its not apt for your needs but the finished model has renewed my enthusiasm.