Hi all,
Here are some pics of DML's Ardennes King Tiger and associated figures in progress.
I know that this is a step away from OD but I am relishing the challenge.
All comments welcome

nice KT... the figures' positions are nicely balanced in the dio. shouldn't you be adding the tank commander as well? any other vehicles planned to be on the dio?

ta...

Looks pretty good!
One small suggestion though.
The tracks shouldnt be sagging that much on the front wheel, Lift them up, but other than that its coing on pretty good!
What are the figures your using on the Tank?

Andy looks like you are doing a great job on a fast build. From what I can see I see everything looks correct. I have a question though about what your plans are with that "tweaked fender skirt" ? Will you be making a dio of this one as well? Its good to see you working on a axis vehicle from time to time. Cheers Kevin

Im somewhat confused. These guys look like their in ambush formation on a recon mission? Which pretty much means, they are ready to get ambushed. What catches my eye is the guys sitting on the tank dont look to worried about getting ambushed... lol :-) But I think it will still be an excellent diorama, I cant wait to see these guys finished!

Thanks for the comments guys,
MoJimbo, I am usually a Alieed builder so I don't have any German tank crew around spare and don't really want to buy one. (ODness coming through :-) :-) )

Max, Thanks for the heads up on the tracks. I have glued them down so it is a bit late to fix it.
The figures are from DML's Lorraine 1944 kit I will probaly sculpt some gloves on them later on.

Kevin, I will be making a dio of this. The normal cliche of tank moving down road with infantry.
But I would like to try a few new techniques (including using those branches you sent me lol)

Very good so far Mate.
One thing i may change, i think i'd move the guy from infront of the Tiger, dunno about you, but i think you'd have to be pretty game to walk infront of one, just incase you know.... secondly if you had them beside the KT i think it'd give it more of a feel that the infantry are simply patrolling with the KT, they almost look as if they are gaurding it now.
Cheers

nice start brother.i know these DML figures maybe the best of series. I believe this will be very good diorama as done. will u make it a snowy one?
best regards

Thanks Dave ,Engin and Harrison.
Harrison, (sorry I missed your post) the poses are a little deceiving. In real life they look quite relaxed. The guy carrying the Panzerfaust(?) has that slung over his shoulder and is carrying his Stg 44 with one hand.

Dave, I am glad you brought that up I was wondering if anyone would notice it.
I will move him to beside the tank.

Engin, Yes these figures are wonderful. I am not to sure on the snow maybe some patches along the side of the road.

Andy, its looking good, i agree on the idea of moving the figure which is in front of the tank, its to close.

Second thing, the bented sideskirt... i think it should be bented on inside, or bented a little less on the outside, maybe its just me but it looks to much bent on outside, i cant imagine what could bent it like that in RL

othervise a very good build for now!

Mirko

Hi Mirko Thank you for the comments,
I will have a better look tomorrow and fiddle around with the side skirt.

Andrew -

Looking like an outstanding start to a very well laid out diorama. I like the more casual "moving up" approach and pose of the figures. The KTs used in Ardennes especially were basically brought up as support (way to slow to keep pace with advance much less a recon). I'm remembering several pictures of KTs from Ardennes references showing the KTs in this very "atmosphere", moving up to the front. Of course the famous "222" series that are loaded with Fallschirmjager riders. But there were some that had a couple of motorcycles following behind and some showed US prisoners looking in awe as they were being escorted to rear. A very muddy road with maybe a hint of snow would work perfect. Super start and keep us posted.

Blade48mrd

Thanks Mike,
I have two of the figures painted already. I am planning to do a muddy road. would future be a good my to get the wet look?

One thing that sticks out at me are the tank riders. You have one on the front of the turret and one on each corner of the rear. Seems like no one wants to sit next to each other. I know being out in the field for days can make a guy smell a little ripe. It just seems they need should be more together.

Thanks Alan,
I will remedy the situation. might put the guy sitting down on the turret too.
I have a bigger problem at the moment......my AB just broke

Andy -

The more I look at this, the more I like it. Just plain super. The "moving up" theme is more relaxed, but still has that impressive feel. With this an "Ardennes" version King Tiger, are you planning on a hard edge "Ambush" scheme for the KT? Maybe a s.SS-Pz.Abt 501 for Kampfgruppe Peiper of 1st SS Panzer? Or maybe s.SS-Pz.Abt 506 of 6th SS Panzer? If you can, get either/both of Concord's publications; "The Battle of the Bulge" (Steve Zaloga) and "Panzers of the Ardennes Offensive 1944-45" (Tom Cockle). Excellent references for photos and colour drawings for Ardennes and KTs there. They are available through the usual (Great Models, Squadron, etc.). We'll make a German AFV convert of you yet. Keep the updates coming,

Blade48mrd

Mike ..a little note the 506th was not SS and Andy the tank built as you have needs zimmerit because of the tracks that you used ...these were seen on a very few Kt of the 506th to test them out before changing over to these tracks on later vehicles.(Dragon has made a very specific batch of KT's with this kit )

Rick

Shucks, do you mean to say that this







needs zimmerit on it too?

Pete

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the support Mike, I would love to have those books but once converted to NZ dollars they are darn expensive.
Not to sure on the camo. I may just do a generic one . Kevin has sent me a lot of KT colour plates that I am going to have a look through.

Hi Rick, i had no idea about zimmerit being needed. That was the reason I got this kit beacuse I thought it din't need zimmerit. There is no mention of it in the instructions. I might just leave it as is. Because I have no skill at all with zimmerit.

Hi Pete, your KT looks great your camo s even better cause its hand brushed.

Hi Peter ...I'll let you decide...I really can't make out what type of track is on it but that sure looks like a missing slab of zimmerit on the side ..I can't be sure. Looking at the spare tracks on the turret I would have to guess 18 toothed sprocket..



Hey I'm not 100% sure that all these tanks with the 18 toothed drive sprocket had zimmerit (the ones tested at BOB),but I just remember it being discussed on M-L a while back..

Rick

Andy -

I'm got a 'spare' of the Concord "Battle of the Bulge". When I ordered it a while back from "Amazon.com", it came with a bent back cover. I complained, and they sent me a another and said keep the bad one. So if you don't mind the "bent corner", I'll send it to you. Just PM me your address.

Bear - My error and you're right. This was a "Heer" unit then assigned to 6th? Thanks for keeping me straight.

Blade48mrd

Hi Rick, Thanks for taking the time comment eg about the zimmerit. I really appreciate it. If i get another KT or German vehicle for that matter I would be willing to give zimmerit a go.

I would love a copy Mike, Thank you very much.

Maybe you should add a couple figures to the tank. Generally when you see people on a tank they are packed on.

Roger

Hi Roger, I would like to add some more figures but I don't usually build German so I don't have any spare and don't jus want to buy single Resin ones......to much $$$$ :-)

Both DML and Tristar have figure-sets that can be used as tank-riders. Maybe one of those is an option? Then you'll have four for the price of one resin one.