Hi All!
I wanted to share my first tank model with you.

Materials:
1/35 Dragon King Tiger "Last Production"
Aftermarket cables (can't remember brand)
Voyager PE/Resin Detail Set
Voyager Schurzen set
Fruilmodel KT transport tracks

Paint:
AK Interactive Real Colors

I started this model in 2014 when I was 25 years old. Med school and surgery/anesthesia residency have persisted in getting in the way, but I have finally decided I will finish it! After spending about 14 hours on it this weekend, it is finally under a coat of red oxide primer (AKRC RAL 8013 sprayed over Tamiya superfine gray primer).

I intended to build this as a very last production tank, I added additional track hangars and rear vent covers. Such turrets were built, as at least one photo (attached) shows.


This model has numerous mistakes, and I recognize my simulation of rolled steel is somewhat overdone on the sides, but tastefully done on the front glacis.

Being my first tank, this efforts represents my experimental foray into AFV.

I am planning an RAL 6009 base coat, with 8017 and the lighter "1944" 7028 in an ambush scheme such as that pictured.

Ambush is commonly done; it is tried and true, and maybe someone watching has something more unique to suggest? I think the ambush scheme is beautiful, and would be fun to try as a first tank. let me know!










[URL=http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/thunderbolt2011/media/IMG_2622.jpg.html]

I like your txture work, and really like the weld marks around the track hangers. I'm not sure that the ambush scheme is suitable for a final production model. It's my favorite King Tiger scheme, but most of the "final" schemes we see look very imaginative, including the Octopus scheme.

Do the one you like the most. Your happiness is what building models is all about.

Good luck,

Gaz

Technically, ambush was only applied from around the middle of August to early September of 1944, give or take. Tiger II production continued until March of 1945. Henschel stopped painting them in Dunkelgelb base in September of 1944, instead adding Dunkelgelb in patches over the rotoxid primer as they did the rotbraun and olivgrun. In December it was ordered to paint tanks in dark green base with rotbraun and Dunkelgelb patches. In both cases, the paint layer was to be thin to save on paint.

I may lean towards a late-war "what if" ambush scheme with 6009 dunkelgrun as a base with heavily worn 7028 and 8017. could be a fun hairspray exercise.

I'm with Gaz, Octopus ! Welcome back to the hobby, BTW.

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll consider octopus...the Kassel KT inspired many builds, and I'm not the biggest fan of a two tone pattern...

Assuming a full battery of weathering techniques, which paintbrushes are essential to have? I am going to buy a new set for this tank and upcoming builds as well.

Many thanks all for the feedback and advice!

what about this? has a 6009 basecoat

or this "defense of Berlin" theme ... obviously colorized; the wheels have not been colorized and appear to be painted 6009 dunkelgrun, suggesting a basecoat overall of 6009

This thread on ML might help:
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/missinglynx/viewtopic.php?f=47207&t=57859&p=1534084&hilit=late+tiger+II+camo#p1534084

Regards,

Marc

thanks to those who replied! I'll be going with an octopus scheme just for fun and practice. at least we know it was used on at least one late war tank!

I appreciate that you are fairly far advanced with the project (hey, it has paint, which is further than most of mine) but personally I’m not convinced by the texture, especially the multitude of small but deep pits on the hull sides. Examples of German rolled armour plate that I’ve seen over the years just don’t exhibit that, even after sitting outside for decades.

By way of example, look at images of the Tiger B, Jagdtiger, Panthers etc at APG or Ft Knox, or at non-Zimmerit covered examples elsewhere. There are plenty of walkarounds on line if you don’t have them in your library.

I’ve seen WW2 Soviet armour plate that looked pretty rough but Waffenamt inspectors are still rejecting a surprising proportion of German output even at the end of the war and none that I’ve seen looked as rough.

For what it’s worth, I believe that the ambush scheme was still seen on vehicles at the end of the war, such as the famous SS503 example in Berlin which is often rendered as a bogus scheme with an uncamouflaged hull and sand/green turret.

I sincerely love that you criticized my work so bluntly.


agreed. I don't buy it myself. this was my first tank, and it's a bit of an experiment. I plan to apply the lessons learned to subsequent projects!

C

Here are some updates. I decided to model what another KT around Kassel would have looked like (as there were 7-13 of them in the general area). The cream colored camouflage was purposefully done in a haggard fashion in some areas to look hastily applied in the field. The tank is not yet finished ... any suggestions for finishing?
Thx
C

That looks very good. Congrats!

As nice as the camo turned out, I am equally impressed with the camera he is using. A really good photo.