Hi,
I'd like to share the progress of my latest Tiger build, now that the zim work is finally complete.
As the title states, I'm attempting to recreate Tiger '934' of the SSPzReg 3.
These are the only 5 photos I know of the subject:



The top 2 pics are from Sept/Oct '44, the bottom left pic sometime after it was 'shot up' during Operation Konrad in Jan'45 and the final 2 pics are from an even later date after it's been dragged out of the ditch. These last two pics can be found in 'Panzerwrecks 7 -Ostfront'.

I didn't want to build a wreck, so I'm going to try a capture it as it might of looked before it met it's end in Jan'45.

The ingredients;
Dragon 6406:


ETmodel PE & Masterclub tracks:


As mentioned, the zim is now complete. For the most part with Milliput and some parts (the lighter areas) with Tamiya epoxy putty.
The pics in 'Panzerwrecks 7' show that the turret zim is not the larger broad pattern seen on many Tigers but the finer narrow type pattern.
Though not as fine/narrow as that on the hull.. If you get what I mean..

Try to ignore the splashes of paint here and there, I was experiementing:











You'll notice the running gear and behind have already been painted with the base colours.
I find it easier to do this at this stage, especially when using workable (removable) tracks.

I've done a little extra work on the turret roof. It's not that there's anything wrong with the kit's detailling or parts.
It's just personally I find the welds a little too neat and the preps a little too deep. But I understand the reasons for doing it in 1/35.









Thanks for looking.
Comments/Criticism more than welcome.

More to come soon. Grant.

This is the first time I've used any ETmodels PE and it's positive up to now.
I'm not really a fan of using PE, more to do with my ability rather than the products,
I'd most rather thin/alter kit parts or use styrene where I can. But some parts do need PE.
The ET grills seemed very thin at first but I think they look right fitted, And they also have the notch cut out for the fiiler cap :



Side fenders is another PE must for me. Made up but I won't fit these until more of the hull is done:



The turret bins ready. The clasps are from Verlinden, the smallest ones I know of:





Thanks, Grant.

Many thanks for the quick reply Brian.
Looks like I have a winner with LW35029 together with LW35038.
The tiny fraction in height difference might actually add something, as you can see here; the '3' of '923' is slightly taller than the other digits:



Thanks for the comments.
I was first going to do the turret zim with Tamiya epoxy and the area behind the bin was a bit of a test.
The idea was to roll the zim pattern and then 'comb' the ridges into each other with a saw blade.
It's lucky I did test as the Tamiya epoxy proved much too 'sticky' to be combed. But it worked with Milliput.

Yes, the loaders hatch is hinged..I'm too late for the hull hatches though (luckily )

Thanks again, Grant.

Bringing the build up to date;
the Masterclub tracks are complete....











The links for the spare track hangers have also been drilled out ready for any spare track pins:



The brass track pins above are from the remarkably detailled (and shockingly priced) Adlers Nest set ANM-35012.
I've only used these as a sort of template to check the straightness/diameter of the holes, I'll eventually replace them with homemade styrene pins.

Thanks for looking,
Grant.

its always good to see a Tiger thread, great work so far

Hello Grant!
How you doin'? I must say I do like the look of this one, plus I also like the thought you have put into the application of the Zimmerit, especially in relation to the coat behind the 'junktrunk'! It has always made me think of how the pattern would make a small gap between the Rommelkiste and the Turret's rear wall... I wonder if the bin was 'dry fitted' after curing... Or it was temporarily fitted whilst the coating was 'pliable' and then permanently attached after curing? Perhaps I just think too much, and don't model enough?
Sorry I didn't get to drop in on you this year, rather a frantic summer, they wouldn't even let me get off the train from s.Hertogenbosh to Roosendaal to see the 'Breda Panther'!

Speak soon... Phil.

This looks really good Grant- very neat job with the zimmerit- well done. Look forward to seeing more.

Hi Van great work buddy , luv the Zimm . Still quite the Tigermaniac I see

Deano

Thanks for the opinions fellas, always apprecated..

Hi Van great work buddy , luv the Zimm . Still quite the Tigermaniac I see

Deano"

Yeah, still a Tiger freak. But I have been busy with other kits and that's why this build's not had an update for 2 months.
Been busy with this StuG:

..and the 1st of 3 Soviet Zis-3:

Why 3?.. Tiger freaks might know!

The Tiger has been back on the bench, still quite a bit to do:


The turret is complete. The spare track plns will come later:








Because I'm planning to put a crew with the build, all the hatches are open or can be opened.
Also the escape hatch, but I imagine i'll not use it open on the finished kit:


A good thing about digital photography; you can spot mistakes before it's too late:


Some bits and pieces are done on the hull:




The RO & Drivers hatches are fixed open, but the top part of hinge is pinned:


...so they can be used in both possible positions. I'm hoping this will help with making any figures fit better?


Thanks again to everyone who's looked in,
Grant.

@Vanhall – Grant,

I hadn’t seen your posting until just now and that is some terrific work! Those Masterclub tracks look so realistic and appear to be a notch above any of the current tracks available for the Tiger. Great job on the Zimmerit paste. All good things take time so no rush. The StuG looks promising too, will you be doing a separate build log for the StuG? Your backdrop for taking photographs is just the deal, rustic and goes with the time period!

Thanks for posting and sharing your work, looking forward to more updates.

~ Eddy

Very nice work Grant!

What are you using for Zimmerit ATM? Is that standard Milliput? How are you rolling the ridges; Lion Roar tool? How do you get the putty thin enough?

This is my most recent effort;





I always find your work inspiring; thanks for sharing it with us.


Bill

Fantastic job on the zimmerit Grant ... both on the Tiger and the StuG. Beautiful build ... great attention to detail.

Thanks Eddy, Bill and Frank for the comments, and all who have looked in.

Eddy:
"The StuG looks promising too, will you be doing a separate build log for the StuG? "

Thanks Eddy,
Unfortunately I simply don't have the time to blog everything I have on the bench.
It's the Cyber-hobby 'Black Knight' kit which I'm attempting to alter to become this 'Wiking' StuG:

Trying to get the StuG's features accurate has only been made possible with the help and guidance of Krzysztof Zadura. So a big thanks to him if he happens to read this.
I'll post some pics when it's done.

Hi Bill,
"What are you using for Zimmerit ATM? Is that standard Milliput? How are you rolling the ridges; Lion Roar tool? How do you get the putty thin enough?"

Yes, it's 90% Milliput. The lighter coloured parts, such as the mantlet, are done with Tamiya epoxy putty.
The StuG is also mostly Milliput, and with some parts I tried out 'Mr.Hobby's Pro-L putty'. This has a more 'dry/rough' texture, good for those areas you might want chip some zim off. Though I still feel Milliput works the best for me.
I try a mixture of rollers, AFVclub's, Trumpeters and Lionroars. Mostly AFVclub's best gives the effect I'm after. And also saw blades to 'mesh' the ridges together.
I try to get the Milliput as thin as possible before I put it on the kit. With this set-up; an old cheese board, a print roller and lots of talc:

Then I just cut a piece out, lay it on the kit and try to press and roll it even thinner.
Having the theme music to 'Rawhide' playing in the background usually helps me too..
Your zim job looks good, doesn't look too thick to me.


No update on the Tiger I'm afraid, I got distracted again, with this;
ATAK's 'SSyms 6-axle heavy platform' :




I thought it would be a quick easy build, but it's turning into a bit of chore...

Grant.

Hi Grant - Really beautiful, meticulous work. Where can I find those two photos of the StuG from the Wiking Division? Are they from a reference book or a website?

Hi Bill,
They're are from this book:

http://www.amazon.de/Verweht-Spuren-Bildband-SS-Panzerregiment-Wiking/dp/3921242398

It's long out of print as far as know and only available in German. Which doesn't really matter as it's a photo book.
Great book for Wiking armour pics, mostly Panthers and Pz.III's.
There's some very silly prices being asked for it on ebay, so shop around.
I eventually got my copy from a German second hand bookshop (via ebay) for 30euro.

Grant.

The 5 months later update.
This one's almost complete and ready for the paintshop.
Just a few bits and pieces to add; nut heads and wing-nuts mainly. Still not sure yet what to do with the 2nd tow cable.









Thanks for looking.

Fantastic build man! The Zimmerit is a top notch job. Im ready to see paint on this Big Cat!!!

Gary

Firstly, a belated thanks for the positive comment Gary.. and also thanks to those who have popped in for a look.

A small update and a plea for help

I decided to change time and location for this one. Instead of '934' near it's end in Hungary Jan'45, I'm going back in time to '934' in Poland around Sept/Oct'44.
A couple of reasons for the change:
1st; the idea of doing a worn-out whitewash once again definitely doesn't appeal to me.
..and 2nd; the figures I want to use pass much better with Autumn'44 and the two known crew pics from this time.

Anyways, here's the figures I've been working on. 3 are definite but I can't decided between the other 2, both of which still need new heads fitting:




Opinions on the options are more than welcome.

--------------------------------------------------

And now that Plea for help!!

I've been looking to buy a copy of this Kagero book with the included decal sheet;
Panzerwaffe - Poland 1944 : Top colors 5 :



... but apart from a couple of very overpriced ebay copies from the USA, I can't find it anywhere.

I only really need these 2 decals from the books decal sheet:




In fact, I need 3 of these '913' decals but the sheet only incudes 2 for some reason ???.

So, if there's anyone out there who would be willing to sell these 2 decals I would be very very grateful..
I could then also buy the book and have 4 of these '913' decals.
3 for the build and a spare for if I cock-up.

The plan is to convert the '1' to a '4' as so:


Many thanks, yours hopefully,
Grant.

Hi Grant,

I love the look of your tiger. Your home made zimmerit is the best I have seen. The thickness looks perfect and it really does look hand applied. Those tracks look the business, much better than fruils. Overall the attention to detail and finesse of your work is top notch.

My opinion for the figures would be the commander from pic 1 and the radio operator from pic 2. I think the radio man in pic one dosn't look entirely natural leaning against the barrel and is much better suited to the copula. But then I think it would look better with the commander in the copula. I think the radio man in pic 2 has a more natural pose.

I see your still having trouble trying to get hold of the decals, sorry I haven't been able to help you out with those. I think you should mave a go at hand painting them. Afterall they would of been hand painted or stenciled on. Just a though?

Cheers
Matt

Hi Grant...Awesome work sir!

Rick

Hi Grant,

Fantastic work sir, I love the Zimmert!!

What if you went with the radio cuy in the loaders hatch & the loader in the radio hatch with the commander in his as he is?

Just an idea

Cheers Mike

great job

Thanks for the feedback guys.. much appreciated.

In the end I've decided against this officer figure:

Nothing wrong with the figure, I just think it would be a shame to chop it up to fit this '934'. I'd rather use it complete for something else.

Here's a pic of '934', the crew and other members of the company, Sept/Oct'44. In the middle is '934's commander Unterscharführer Privatski:


I think this figure passes better for him, a bit more casual than the 'Iron cross' officer figure above:


Anyways, these are the chosen 4. For the moment in the position that Mike suggested:


------------------------------------

Partial good news on the decals hunt.
I eventually found a copy of the Kagero 'Panzerwaffe - Poland 1944' book on the WWW, it's paid for and on it's way..
Two thirds of the problem solved, now just one '931' decal to find.
Again, if anyone's got one? I can pay for it, trade for it, whatever you find best.



Cheers again,
Grant.

Are you sure you want the driver to look so comfortable? Driving a Tiger with your head out the hatch, was something of a contortion.

David