Armorama :: Tunisian Tiger

Armor/AFV: Axis - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Axis forces during World War II.

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Tunisian Tiger

b2nhvi

Nevada, United States
Joined: June 17, 2016
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Posted: Saturday, June 02, 2018 - 09:15 AM UTC

I have a lead on an Academy "initial" production Tiger kit (13264) for cheap. Am planning on doing it as a sPz Abteilung 501 rig. I have yet to find a review of this kit. (Save for one of those Youtube thingies that shows what's in the box) How good, bad ,or indifferent is the kit? How's it rate to the Dragon Tunisian Tiger?

Kevlar06

Contributor's Award - This member has contributed content to Armorama in the past year.

Washington, United States
Joined: March 15, 2009
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Posted: Saturday, June 02, 2018 - 09:48 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I have a lead on an Academy "initial" production Tiger kit (13264) for cheap. Am planning on doing it as a sPz Abteilung 501 rig. I have yet to find a review of this kit. (Save for one of those Youtube thingies that shows what's in the box) How good, bad ,or indifferent is the kit? How's it rate to the Dragon Tunisian Tiger?

There are a lot better "Tiger experts" here than I am, but I do know something about the Academy, Dragon and Rye Field kits. Of the three, Academy is the worst, Rye Field and Dragon are the best, with Dragons being the best. However, you may be lucky to find the Dragon kit at a price point that makes it worthwhile. The Rye Field kit is a really nice kit with link & length tracks, and it has a lot of detail comparable to the Dragon kit. But Tiger "experten" will tell you there are a few incorrect details. I've built all three, and think for the money the Rye Field kit is probably the best, but if you can find a Dragon kit ( and are OK with the Dragon tracks) at a reasonable price, it's the most accurate.
VR, Russ

brekinapez

Georgia, United States
Joined: July 26, 2013
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Posted: Saturday, June 02, 2018 - 10:02 AM UTC

Didn't the Academy Tigers suffer from the wrong turret shape, or was that Italeri?

I personally wouldn't buy either considering the alternatives.

Byrden

Wien, Austria
Joined: July 12, 2005
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Posted: Saturday, June 02, 2018 - 10:27 AM UTC

That kit (13264) does not build a Tiger of s.Pz.Abt. 501. It builds what we call an "early" Tiger. It would be much more suitable for s.Pz.Abt. 504. It's not what we now call "initial".

David

Kevlar06

Washington, United States
Joined: March 15, 2009
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Posted: Saturday, June 02, 2018 - 12:24 PM UTC

Quoted Text

That kit (13264) does not build a Tiger of s.Pz.Abt. 501. It builds what we call an "early" Tiger. It would be much more suitable for s.Pz.Abt. 504. It's not what we now call "initial".

David

I would add to David's comments the Academy kit is a lot more "clunky" and "soft" in the details than the Dragon or Rye Feild kits are. And somebody mentioned the Italeri Tiger-- I'd say the same thing for that kit-- it's older and "soft" on the details, although I haven't built it, but I have seen the parts in the box.
VR, Russ

Jmarles

British Columbia, Canada
Joined: November 02, 2008
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Posted: Saturday, June 02, 2018 - 01:09 PM UTC

The Italeri kit is not accurate for any version of the Tiger. It mixes and matches several types and the detail is soft, clunky or missing altogether. Unless you are a kid just starting out, it's not worth mentioning as a viable kit. The Academy has similar problems and the tracks are horrible. DML or RFM are really the only viable options. The Tamiya one is OK but needs tweaks to make it a Tunisian version.

brekinapez

Georgia, United States
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Posted: Saturday, June 02, 2018 - 01:15 PM UTC

Quoted Text

The Italeri kit...not worth mentioning as a viable kit.

But World of Tanks, bruh! Gotta buy it for the game codes, doooood.

Jmarles

British Columbia, Canada
Joined: November 02, 2008
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Posted: Saturday, June 02, 2018 - 01:26 PM UTC

Quoted Text

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The Italeri kit...not worth mentioning as a viable kit.

But World of Tanks, bruh! Gotta buy it for the game codes, doooood.

b2nhvi

Nevada, United States
Joined: June 17, 2016
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Posted: Saturday, June 02, 2018 - 02:01 PM UTC

How do the Ryefield and Dragon stack up for the 501 Tigers? I know Dragon makes a "131" kit, but I hear that is a later "Early Production " Tiger, not "Initial"

TheLilPeashooter

Hong Kong S.A.R. / 繁體
Joined: March 04, 2018
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Posted: Saturday, June 02, 2018 - 02:58 PM UTC

Quoted Text

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The Italeri kit...not worth mentioning as a viable kit.

But World of Tanks, bruh! Gotta buy it for the game codes, doooood.

Does the codes work for World of Tanks Blitz?

Dinocamo

Quebec, Canada
Joined: August 26, 2017
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Posted: Saturday, June 02, 2018 - 03:10 PM UTC

AFV club Tiger is also at the detail level of RFM and Dragon, imo... Though it is kind of expensive.

brekinapez

Georgia, United States
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Posted: Saturday, June 02, 2018 - 03:24 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Does the codes work for World of Tanks Blitz?

You know, that's another of those "I dl'ed it, but never played it" apps on my phone.

I've been all about PUBG for the past year.

Mrclark7

Texas, United States
Joined: June 04, 2017
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Posted: Saturday, June 02, 2018 - 05:07 PM UTC

Quoted Text

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The Italeri kit...not worth mentioning as a viable kit.

But World of Tanks, bruh! Gotta buy it for the game codes, doooood.

LOL, if any one cares I have codes from both the Sherman and Tiger anyone is more than welcome to have. About as useful to me as the decals sheets that come with.

Byrden

Wien, Austria
Joined: July 12, 2005
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Posted: Saturday, June 02, 2018 - 10:51 PM UTC

Quoted Text

How do the Ryefield and Dragon stack up for the 501 Tigers? I know Dragon makes a "131" kit, but I hear that is a later "Early Production " Tiger, not "Initial"

Yes, that's true.

I'm biased because I did a lot of design work on it, but I think the Dragon one (6608) is the most accurate by a small margin.
Rye Field tried hard but they made a couple of slip ups... and they had no idea what colour paint to use, though of course that's not a serious problem.

Tamiya have "Africa initial" Tigers in 1/35 and 1/48 but they *really* mixed up the versions and they're difficult to fix.

David