Hi Everyone,



I have decided to start the most ambitious build log that I have ever attempted a Late production Tiger 1 build with a complete interior and engine bay. The model will repsesent a Tiger in the Normandy Campaign in June/July 1944 and will probably represent a vehicle from the 1st SS Panzer Corps.

This will be very challenging and frustrating but maybe in 12 months I will have a very accurate 1/35th Tiger 1.

The Kit will be based around Dragon's excellent Late production Tiger 1 with Zimmerit (Ref 6383)



The interior will be based on the Verlinden Tiger 1 Interior set although this will require significant modification and upgrade:



and I will be cannabalising parts from Academy's Mid Production Tiger 1 which has a great interior.



I will be using Friulmodel Tiger middle-late Tracks (ref ATL-06)



as well as the most comprehensive set of Aber upgrades that I could purchase:



AB35 L-78 - 88mm KwK L/56 Gun barrel
AB35 A10 - Front and rear fenders for Tiger 1
AB35 A12 - Side Fenders for Tiger 1
AB35 A102 - Turret stowage bin for Tiger 1
AB35 A79 - German Tank Radio set FU2 & FU5

I will be supported by the information that I can get from studying the parts of my 1/16th Trumpter King Tiger, because as we know they had quite a few common components.

I would also like as many interior images as I can get, please feel free ro include them within this build log.

It might take a few days for this build to get going as I am still finishing of my Sd.Kfz 222 but decided to post this while the paint dries ! Anyway wish me luck

Thanks

Steven

I really enjoyed that kit when I did it a few years ago,with all of your extras,this should be impressive.

I'll be following this one Steven. I have both 6383 and 6253 in my stash so I'm interested to see how the academy parts will fit. Although 6383 is a nice kit, I assume you are aware that there are a few issues with the zimmerit, mainly the turret which is a rare pattern and some areas where it needs to be removed?

Hows the quality of the Verlinden interior? good enough for a through the hatches model?

How are you planning to display the interior? through the hatches or with the hull and turret roofs removed?

Hi Matt, and thanks for the comment Tojo.

I was broadly aware of the zimmerit problems with the turret and I will modify it as required. to be honest I am more worried about getting the interior right.

The Verlinden kit looks ok, and I am confident that with modification and Academy's assistance it will be good enough.

I will not glue the hull and turret roof, so I can have a look at the detail once it is completed.

I have started work on the lower hull, there were many nasty holes in the hull which needed patching up, which was a real pain because of the arrangement of the Tigers Suspension.



Once I sanded down the filler I sprayed the hull lightly with Tamyia Surface Primer to isolate the filler and to check if my fix was any good



S

Hi all,

Another update on the Tiger 1, I decided to try a test fit of the Verlinden Engine bay and rear firewall. I added the Academy front bulkhead support as it is much better detailed than the Verlinden kit.







I am pleased to say that there are no real fit problems at this stage and the verlinden kit is actually quite detailed. I dont know why I am so surprised? The cooling fans and the radiators look good. I added a Dragon part which was slightly better detailed to the kit.

Here is a the first look at the completed Maybach HL 230 P45. This is the later version of the engine that powered the earlier versions of the Tiger.





Thanks for looking

S

Nice work so far!

How do you plan on showing off the interior? Just open hatches or removeable roofs?

Here are some interior pics that might help out, not sure on if these are from an early/mid/late? I'm sure though that the Tiger guru's will sort it out





























cheers

Steven,
I'll be following along as well as I find the Tiger a very interesting tank.
Those interior pics are good, but am surprised that the interior parts are painted green?
Dan

Looking forward to seeing more of your build. I wanted to do the the Academy Tiger I Early but it keeps getting pushed back for other kits!

Hello Steven,

I am SOOOO looking forward to this one man. Tiger I is my all time Favorite and to see you put your masterful hands on one, well....Thats a real treat! My note pad and pencil are at the ready my friend. Good luck man. This is gonna be GOOD!!!

Gary

I have some dimensions for the ammunition bin beside the driver. Is Verlinden's part too wide?

David

Hi David,

Looking at those Images I would say absolutely, the Verlinden part is too wide. I will need to sand it down.

Thanks for the images Richard and we will need lots more of them. I believe that the images are from the Tiger at Saumur, it a shame that it is in this condition though especially since they have the worlds only running King Tiger.

The tank has been repainted post war but atleast they did not strip out the interior.

Thanks

S

Hi Steven,

I didn't see any references to the 'up until now' most amazing, comprehensive build log of Dragon Tiger I kits that I know of: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/131182&ord=&page=1

This reference is not to take away one bit from the log you're doing now, particularly as your build includes an interior, which Phil's did not. I just thought, in the event you were not aware of this other thread, that you may want to refer to it, and take advantage of the info gathered and presented in that log. With a number of Tiger Is in my collection yet to be built, I know I'll be watching your build. I built a 6383 (only my second model, ever, at least as an adult) and thought it was a great tank...cant imagine a better starting point for your project. Good luck!

That's gonna be another Steven's Masterpiece...

An amazing kit with a huge set of extras... another great one Steven

Following!

A.J. Press did put out a series on the Tiger I. Filled with line drawings, interior and exterior shots. I believe that I have the series. If specific pics or clarifications are needed let me know. Good looking start of a kit. Looking forward to the on going show.

Thanks everyone, I will do my best on the build !

Trevor, any information on the arrangement of the struts on the floor of the hull would be an advantage. They are not included in the Academy or Verlinden kit.

Interstingly the new Verlinden kit, the semi completed Tiger 1 - representing a hull under construction has these struts and braces, if you have this kit please post as I will be making them over the weekend !!!!!

Unfortunately I could not find the details you were asking for. Interior shots of the hull floor struts. I shall follow your build. I still need to finish mine tiger build, been stalled for some time.

The page on hull stiffeners on the tiger1.info site may be useful to you.

The Bovington Tank Museum, on page 12 of the journal documenting the restoration of their Tiger, has a photograph of the open hull just after they got all the torsion bars back in:

Hi All,

This is a progress update on the Tiger 1 build log.

I have been quite ill most of the week so progress has been slow. I am also encountering significant problems with creating the floor struts (thanks for the references Sean) their completity and fragile nature means that one minor error in the construction process means that you have to start over again.

Its frustrating but I believe that I have now broken the back of the problem.

Inevitable comparisons will be drawn between this build and the build of Lee Lloyd featured in AFV Moddler issue 15. This is available as a PDF on the AFV moddler website for £1.20. Lee's build was based around the Academy kit and he completed it in 2005, long before the Verlinden kit came out. There is no doubt that he did a great job in the build there are several errors there which I hope to overcome. Also the build ended at the construction of an unpainted lower hull. My Tiger will be fully completed and painted and I hope just as good if not better. Maybe my experience at small scale armour will be a slight advantage on the mammoth Tiger.

As Curt mentioned above there is also the awsome Tiger one build featured on this site, I hope to complement that build as the skills on display during that build log were fantastic.

I would also like to thank Neal and Mason Logdahl for the Tiger and Panther reference manuals and Frank - Plasticbattle for his assistance and guidance on the Tiger 1 build.

Thanks for looking

Steven

Steven, it's Mason's and my pleasure to help...just passing on the goodness that has been shared to us here in Armorama. Your builds are what sets the standard for both Mason and myself....keep up the superb work!

Hi All,

I have been busy on the Tiger 1 hull and what you see represents about a weeks work. Firstly I had to make the hull ready for modification by removing the prominent plastic ridges at the front of the hull.



This I did and added the front of the hull.

Then I began work on the hull floor stiffners, this was tough. I made them out of 0.4mm plastic card, I tried brass sheet but the construction made the structure too fragile.

I glued the plastic to the hull and then used miliput to hide any gaps. I lightly sprayed the plastic in primer and then sanded back any imperfections.

There is alot more work to do.





With additional struts



Next I have to work on the left side of the hull

S

Hi Everyone,

Apologies for the long period of time since the last update, but I have been very busy on the Tiger and I hope that the following images will evidence this.

Before I start I would like to show you a image of the tank that I will represent during this build, a Tiger commanded by SS Hauptscharfurher Will Fey of the 102nd SS Panzer Abteilung, which fought in Normandy in June 1944. The 102nd was part of II SS Panzer corps and took part in the battles with the British 21st Army Group around Hill 112 west of Caen. The heavy tank batallion was practically destroyed in the Falaise pocket in August 1944.



I have been working hard to get the hull floor completed before I move on to other sections of the build. the floor has been very difficult to construct and is still not 100% completed.

I have also added the drain in the front of the hull floor, which I made out of plastic sheet and brass. It took literally 15 minutes and looks quite acceptable.

http://tiger1.info/EN/Front-drain.html







Without the torsion bars





Thanks for looking

oh completed SdKfz 222 images will be posted tomorrow !

Great build, keep us posted.

Anthony

Hello Steven,

Im even more excited now as thats one of my favorite Tiger camo schemes. I tried to aquire the Dragon kit of that tank the other day but couldnt make a deal or trade. Ill satisfy my Tiger urge vacariously through you..... With your permission of course! Looking nice man.

Gary

Hi Steve,

Looking fantastic I must say & just subscribed & will follow with much eagerness as I have the old Academy Early Tiger with interior so will be note taking for sure!!

Cheers Mike