With a day off from work, I was able to finish up basic construction on my Konigstiger. I posted up pics of the zim a while back, but didn't touch the model for quite sometime. It is now finished. Bare with the pictures..they are a bit dark, and for some reason I just couldn't keep my hands still (to much Coffee I think). The Zim was done with my usual method of Polyester Putty and the Tamiya Zimmerit tool. I used Eduad Photo Etched brass. I went with the kits barrel..sanding it down to get a smooth seemless finish, while using the muzzle from Jordi Rubio. I used Historex's Hex punch and die set for the bolts on the grills and side skirt clamps on the front of the model. I didn't do to much extra detail on the rear end, and opted for the kits tow jack clamps ( I forgot to put the jack in for the pics. Any feedback is appreciated.





















Cheers

Rob

Excellent!!! Looking very good. I especially like the Zim you gave it. When you say "polyester" putty - what is that? Is that the standard Tamiya putty, or is it something different? I usually use Milliput for zim - but mine doesn't look nearly as good as that does. VERY realistic!

Thanks for the pics - make sure you post some more when you get the paint on that monster.

Jeff

Thanks for the kind words Jeff. The Putty I used was Tamiyas Polyester 2 Part Putty. Not to be mistaken for Tamiya's Basic Putty. It has the thin workablility of a filler putty, but has a much longer drying time. Which is all dependant on how much catalyst you use in the Putty mixture. I have used Milliput in the past, but have come to really like the Polyester Putty Tamiya offers. Unlike Milliput or any other Epoxy Putty, the Poleyester Putty can be spread out using a putty spatula with ease, and it cleans up very easy. Hopefully I can get the Tiger II painted soon. Again, thanks for the kind words Jeff.

Rob

Personally I have never been much of a fan of ZIM, but what can I do but warp back in time and change history. I will say this if I could put down some ZIM like you have Rob I would probably have a different point-of-view on the stuff. Can not wait to see how it ends up. Very sharp, looking model.

Ox

Hey Oxanti, I had similar views about zim, before I learned this technique. I dreaded making models with Zimmerit, and always looked for excuses why it didn't have it. Now that I feel I can do it without ruining a nice 40 dollar kit, I am always looking for projects that had zim. Thanks for the reply and hope to get this model painted and weathered soon.

Cheers

Rob

One thing I am going to point out here for future reference is that when the zim was applied it was usually done with a six inch (or metric equivelant) putty knife. The pattern would have consisted of straight lines because the putty knife is straight edged, whereas yours has a few columns that are curved. Do not think I am knocking your superb effort, I have seen many many examples that were not this good. I am sure as time progresses you will learn techniques to hold your hand steadier. This is just a minor thing however as the overall appearance of the zim is still quite impressive.

Other than that, this is shaping up to be an outstanding model. Anyone who can use the kit barrel and not have a seam is tops in my book.

Rob

I think the zim looks pretty darn good. This stuff was kinda applied in haste at the factory - so some deviation from straight lines would be expected. Check out the zim on this Tiger II - LOL that stuff is rough!

Thanks for the responces Rtwpsom2 and jrnelson. RTwpsom2, you are 100% right bud, some of the zim columns are a bit curved. It is sometimes unavoidable, but it also helps make the pattern look less uniformed. Especially on a Tiger II, which usually had zimmerit thrown on it in random patterns at times. Sort of like what jrnelson showed. My next foray into a zim project, I will try and keep it a bit straighter. I have also just completed construction on a Tiger I Mid Pro with ZIm..and becuase the zim was usually more uniform, I tried to do the zim abit more neater..here are some pics..











With more and more projects, the technique gets a bit easier. Thanks for the replys guys.

Cheers

Rob

Excellent zim Rob. Having tried homemade zimmirit once, using regular Tamiya putty, and enduring the mess of working with that and the plastic cement to keep it workable, while pleased with the result (for a first try, picture in my gallery here) I may have to try the polyester putty on my next project. Could you explain how you did the vertical lines in the pattern?

Keith

Rob, I'm not an expert in that field, but your zimmerit looks really great!!! Cannot wait to see the progress...
Ciao

...a big tank...very nice the zim work...
congrats

Thanks kbm and Scoccia, appreciate the the kind words. Kbm, I create the vertical lines by simply moving the applicator up or down 1 mm or so after I finish a row and begin another. The applicator never stops touching the surface until I need to clean the groves of the applictor. So I usually do about 5-6 rows, moving at a steady pace, and jogging the applicator up or down 1mm, before I take the applicator off the model to clean it with a rag or old sable brush. If you lift the applicator up after each row, you will get that high ridge that is commonly associated with homemade zim. Also if you were to do one big row and use a metal ruler to create the breaks, it would look to uniform IMO. Sort of like the checked zim pattern of a Panher. Thanks again for the replies..and hopfully I can get some primer on both of these models in the near future.

Cheers

Rob

Thanks Venom, you must have posted when I was relying to Scoccia and kbm.

Cheers

Rob

Great zim work; I will have to try to get hold of the tamiya 2-part putty and experiment

I am jealous. My zimm for the most part looks like the Monday morning or Friday afternoon crew applied it. Lately I been concentrating on late '45 tanks just to avoid the zimmerit.

Again, my hats off to you - Great Job !!!

wow nice job what did u use or the zim
when u are done with this tank plzpost more pics

Thanks guys,

Jim I highly recommend the Polyester Putty. Using it along with the Tamiya Zimmerit Applicator makes it easier then you think.

Cheers

Rob

Outstanding work so far. Nice Zimmerit technique. First I was amazed with your Porsche Tiger II, scrolled down a bit only to see a spiffo Tiger I Mid ! Wow !!

Just so happens, I have just started a Tamiya Porsche Tiger II for my next project. I WAS planning on using the Cavalier Zimmerit for it. But now, after seeing your work, and knowing that the Tamiya Polyester Putty works this good, I will have to re-think this. I also have the Tamiya Tiger I Late kit, which may also get the same treatment.

Cant wait to see your fininshed kits !!

Cheers !

Robert

Thanks for the reply Rob. I have to say Cavalier and Atak offer some great alternative with their prefabricated resin zim. I have used both in the past, but nothing beats creating it yourself. I strongly recommend you give it a try. Like I stated in an earlier post before..homemade zim is very rewarding, and seperates your work from other who use pre-fab zim. If you do go the pre-fab route, I would not suggest photetched zim. It looks to unrealistic for my taste and is a pain in the butt to postion correctly, even with epoxy glue. Again thanks for the kind words Rob, and if you ever want to go over the technique, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or instant message me on MSN Messenger at [email protected].

Cheers

Rob

Rob, nice Zim as has been said before

But i am curious about one thing. On the engine deck, the forward air intakes had curved grills on them. As far as i knew all the Porsche turreted Tiger 11's had this cover.

Do you have a pic of one without?

Regards from teh Swamp
Hawkeye