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Armor/AFV: Axis - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Axis forces during World War II.
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Tamiya King Tiger Kit
Blade48mrd
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Washington, United States
Joined: September 03, 2004
KitMaker: 1,185 posts
Armorama: 810 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 05:39 AM UTC
Taking a lead from "Shonen-red" in his "Accurizing the Panzer IV H by Tamiya '69", I've got a similar question regarding a kit I discovered. While "digging" through a packing box of old Christmas decorations (I know, weird place to find a tank kit), I came upon an old Tamiya "King Tiger" kit (MM-157A). It's the one with the old "slots" in the lower hull so zero interior detail. I'm wondering what would be required, AM wise, to bring this up to or at least near par with the recent Dragon or Tamiya "Ardennes" Tiger II kits? Is it worth the effort or do I have a better candidate for a "destroyed" King Tiger in a future diorama? Any tips or ideas would be welcome. Thanks,

Blade48mrd
KellyZak
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British Columbia, Canada
Joined: August 19, 2003
KitMaker: 641 posts
Armorama: 503 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 06:17 AM UTC
Hi Blade,
If you want to save a little dough, why not try to do the tank OOB? For a quick and easy build, that's what I would do...if the tracks are subpar, maybe get some Fruils, but they can be worth more than the kit is itself. It could also be a good opportunity to do some scratchbuilding as well.
But if you want to go the AM route, there's a ton of stuff out there to be had..Aber, Eduard, Jordi Rubiero (hope I spelled that right), and so on.
Monte
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Rhode Island, United States
Joined: December 08, 2002
KitMaker: 833 posts
Armorama: 601 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 07:08 AM UTC
I have to agree with Kelly, any AM products you buy for that kit are going to be worth more than the kit itself. I would take that money and go purchase one of the lastest versions. Either Tamiyia or Dragon's new King Tiger.
Personaly I would either canabalise the kit for spare parts or use it as a test bed to try different techniques. Using it for a destroyed tank in a dio is also a good idea.
Henk
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: August 07, 2004
KitMaker: 6,391 posts
Armorama: 4,258 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 07:20 AM UTC
Another dio idea Blade, would be to build it OOB, and then put it inside a building or haystack or something similar. The Germans used to camouflage their armor rather effectivly, but spending a fortune on a kit, and much effort to build it, makes it a pity to camouflage it away... enter the cheap, not quite accurate kit

Keeps us posted about your project

Cheers
Henk
Blade48mrd
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Washington, United States
Joined: September 03, 2004
KitMaker: 1,185 posts
Armorama: 810 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 10:51 AM UTC
KellyZak, Monte, Henk -

Thanks for the feedback. I'm beginning to think that for the King Tiger, I'd be best suited to go for a newer kit (I do have the Tamiya "Ardennes" on Christmas list). Thinking maybe of having this one done OOB, as suggested, maybe knocked out or abandoned on side of road with M10, M18, or M36 driving past. Now I need a US Tank Destroyer. Another for the Christmas list.

Blade48mrd
blaster76
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Texas, United States
Joined: September 15, 2002
KitMaker: 8,985 posts
Armorama: 3,034 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 11:08 AM UTC
This is one of their original kits doe back in the 70's. It has mutiple inaccuracies and the cost of PE and resin stuff to fix it would cost more than one of the excellent Dragon or Tamiya versions out now. I like the idea of putting it under a haystack or in a bombed outbuilding. You can disguise a lot of the innaccuracies and have a real nice diorama at a good price.
Henk
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: August 07, 2004
KitMaker: 6,391 posts
Armorama: 4,258 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 11:42 AM UTC

Quoted Text

). Thinking maybe of having this one done OOB, as suggested, maybe knocked out or abandoned on side of road with M10, M18, or M36 driving past. Now I need a US Tank Destroyer. Another for the Christmas list.


Hmmm, I see a M18 passing or maybe a M8... Title for diorama? " It's not the size that matters..."


Quoted Text

I like the idea of putting it under a haystack or in a bombed outbuilding. You can disguise a lot of the innaccuracies and have a real nice diorama at a good price.


I see this in the same light as adding some basic interior detail to a turret if you open the hatches. It's not complete or accurate, but when viewed through the hatch it gives just the right impression.

woodstock74
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: December 28, 2002
KitMaker: 1,189 posts
Armorama: 692 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 11:43 AM UTC

Quoted Text

This is one of their original kits doe back in the 70's. It has mutiple inaccuracies and the cost of PE and resin stuff to fix it would cost more than one of the excellent Dragon or Tamiya versions out now. I like the idea of putting it under a haystack or in a bombed outbuilding. You can disguise a lot of the innaccuracies and have a real nice diorama at a good price.


I say blow that mother up. That's what I did to my Tamiya Panther Ausf D circa 1969. Check it out in my gallery. Used it to get a grasp of the techniques and figured I'd do it destroyed.
barron
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Virginia, United States
Joined: December 01, 2001
KitMaker: 666 posts
Armorama: 598 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 01:30 PM UTC
I agree that showing this kit destroyed is the best bet. It would cost more to fix the problems with it than it would be to get one of the newer king tiger kits.
Silantra
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Putrajaya, Malaysia
Joined: March 04, 2004
KitMaker: 2,511 posts
Armorama: 913 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 02:15 PM UTC
Don't destroy the kit!!
3 years ago i got myself tamiya old panther aus D. lot of inaccuracies and others imperfections. The model became a crash test dummy for any of my 'first timer' method. At the end, i decided to take care of her. so i sand it smooth and then painted it with gloss pink and made her a pink panther. It's on display for years now. My daughter love it.!
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