Several years ago I purchased a Tiger II Ardennes version and wanted to do a late war updated version. I obtained the Chesapeake Models late war update and was looking for a KwK 105/L68 barrel. Thus the kit sat waiting for that magical day that I figured out how to create or purchase said barrel. I came across a Japanese company called Zitader which makes this barrel and many other scrumptious resin bits. Zitader's web site has pictures and some English though most is in Japanese. To order their bits you need to scroll to their ordering section and follow their directions sending them your order with your specifics and they will eventually reply stating the required funds and to be paid via a bank money order in Japanese Yen. It took me a bit to figure out their site and directions. Thus I am patiently waiting for the postal service to knock me up with said package. Do hope that this info packet will enable others to build their desired project.

I received a message that they obtained my money on August 14, today which is the 19 I received my package from them. A tightly wrapped package wich took some effort to open which is appreciated. A lovely aluminium barrel with a cast resin Topf Blend. You can also order a Glatt or a Getreten blende. Blende refers to the cast part of the tank that sits at the start of the barrel next to the mantle. Now I shall be off soon to finish my late tiger II conversion

You can also order there items from Rainbow 10 in japan as well. That is where I have ordered all of my items from, no probelsm and fast shipping.

Snorri23 – Trevor,

Happy to hear about your success with being able to obtain the needed items in order for you to start on your planned proposed late war Tiger II project. Wishing you much good fortune with the building and completion of your project. Hope to see your project here.

Some year’s back I too had obtained the Zitader 10.5 / L68 sectional gun barrel, but like ‘GaryGore’ I made my purchase through Rainbow 10. The Zitader metal barrel is most definitely a beauty IMHO and well worth the price. My copy came complete with the brass tube barrel cleaning rods.

Unfortunately as of today I have yet to obtain the Chesapeake Models proposed July ’45 Tiger II update set. I had made several attempts to order it directly from them but have had no success. Could you please let me know how you went about ordering your copy of the update set or where you got your copy from? And how recently did you purchase your copy? Any help from you or from anyone else reading this post would be much appreciated.

-Eddy

When I ordered mine thru CMD I faxed them the order left off my credit card number and ask them to email me when they recieved the order. I then sent a second fax with the credit card number after they confirmed it as recieved. I recieved my order in about a week after that.

This was a few years back.

GaryGore – Gary,

Thanks for the feedback I will give your method a try. I had not considered the option of using a fax to place an order with CMD. I will also post the results here.

Again, thanks!
-Eddy

I ordered my CMD update through R&J enterprises. They specialise in armour products. They have a long list of companies they deal with. As for when I made the purchase I can not say, suffice it to say a few years ago.

Snorri23 – Trevor,

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately R&J Enterprises no longer stocks or carries the CMD line, so no luck there. Really it is not a problem I’m just being lazy. If I can or can’t get the CMD update set I’m happy. I’ll just have to modify the standard series production Tiger II (Henschel) turret for fitting of the stereoscopic range finder. And I’ll be doing that on three turrets.

I have three of these builds planned, the proposed July ’45 Tiger II with the 88 / L71 main gun and one with the 10.5 / L68 main gun, the last one being the E-75. Trumpeter missed the needed modification on the turret to fit the stereoscopic rangefinder as per the Jentz & Dole Panzer Tracks and Tiger II books on there E-75 kit but the stereoscopic scope cover ears are usable.

Some years ago I had managed to obtain a copy of Zitader’s proposed July ‘45 Tiger II rear deck for this project. It is a masterfully well-detailed cast resin piece. For anyone interested you don’t have to worry if you’re unable to obtain Zitader’s rear deck section. With the exception of a simple modification to the crew compartment raised rear deck heater plate this same rear deck is available on both of Trumpeter’s E-50 & E-75 standardpanzer kits. Of course you would have to remove the entire rear deck section from either of the donor kits upper hull, as it is would not be adaptable to the lower hull on the Tiger II due to the angle of the forward glacis armor plate on the proposed standardpanzer.

I have several projects ahead of these but plan on doing a build log here for each of these vehicles in the future.

Happy modeling,
-Eddy

Yeah, Zitader dose make all the bits to make the late update, as I did state I had no problems obtaining my bits from them. Cmd is a one person op. so I guess it became unmanageable handling their products. Just curious is that German company new connections still in operation. Web site is down for some time. Do not know when I will get to the tigers and finish them, too much other stuff in the way. Look forward to seeing your efforts in building them.