Hi all, I'm new to the armor scene. I've built and bought a few kits, but I know nothing. Anyway, I was given a vintage Tamiya motorized Tiger I kit. It's already been started. I want to finish it, but I have no idea when the kit represents, or if these update sets I'm seeing on the internet will even fit. Is this a late, early, mid, initial production? I'm not terribly worried about making it 100% accurate, I'd just like to know what type of camouflages I can paint it.

Hi Jon, what's the kit number?

If it's the original motorized version, then my suggestion is to just build and finish it according to the kit instructions using the kit decals.

On top of that, do build it with the motor and then enjoy running it on the floor. I built a couple of these back in the 70's, and they were a hoot to play with. Of all of the Tamiya motorized kit's, the Tiger I was one of the best running ones. As I recall, it ran better than any other in back yard in the mud and dirt, too. (The motorized M551 Sheridan was still faster, though!)

IIRC, it comes with the decal options for Michael Wittmann's S01 with the propaganda kill markings on the gun barrel or tactical number 132(?) captured in Tunisia (with the Eighth Army capture markings) and now in the Bovington Tank Museum's holdings.

At any rate, enjoy the kit for what it is - It's a classic.

I agree with Mike, they're fun to play with. Build it and chase the pets around the house or something.

I got one of the newer Sherman kits two years ago and it went together nicely, and if you hide the antenna it's a pretty fair representation of an M4.

Thanks for the information guys, I doubt I'll use the motor parts, I think I may just put it under the knife and super detail it. I doubt the kit is at all accurate for a Tiger, but it looks like a Tiger so it must be one!

Jon, I'm not sure about the 'vintage' kits but I know the new ones are the exact same as the normal kits, just with a different lower hull; so it should be pretty accurate.

As far as I know, Tamiya have released 3 different motorised Tiger kits, in 1/16, 1/24 and 1/35 scale. Can you specify what you have.

David

Take the others' advice. Just build it. To super detail it, other than as a practice exercise, would not be a good use of your time. That kit hails from ~ 1972 or so. As a basis of "super detailing" would be torturous, IMHO.

This is the 1/35 scale kit. It looks very close to the 1/35 Tiger I have from Tamiya that isn't motorized. I'm guessing it's as Christopher said and only the lower hull is different. Everything else is the same. Even though the kit is from 1972, it's not like it can't be made into something great. Tamiya's 1/350 scale ships are old and I've built them into showpieces. The old Otaki 1/48 aircraft are amazing for their time too. Sometimes the newest and the greatest is nice, but not as fun as hacking away at a piece of crap and turning it into an award winner. For instance, I was also given a Bandai 1/48 Panther and I plan on adding some PE and a brass barrel to that too. That kit even includes interior details.

All that being said, I think I will just add the Tamiya resin interior for the early tiger (since this is supposed to be Michael Wittman's as said eariler) and a brass barrel and some PE mesh over the engine grates. Everything else will just be odd scratch details and painting/weathering.

So, is this what you got?



Because that one's not bad at all; it dates from the '90s, and it deserves a few things fixed since the quality of the remainder is fairly high. Here's a list of fixes for Tamiya's 1/35 Early Tiger.

David

I believe he is speaking of the motorized kit from the 70's... not the RC kit.










~ Jeff

OK, Jon, we really shall need a kit number here!

I bet it's the MT126 -598











~ Jeff

MT 126-598 is the model number. It appears that it is the same as the slightly later non-motorized Tamiya release except for the hull. The only thing I'm wondering (since I'm a total novice) is does anyone make turret hatches to replace the cast on one. Since I'm going to add a bit of an interior, I'd like to make it as visible as possible. The two top hatches open, so do the drivers compartment, just not the turret side.