I've looked around the net at the reviews of the Tiger I initial 3 in 1 and the Dragon/CyberHobby DAK Tiger, but what is the real difference between the two? I got the initial production Tiger on sale, but would like to make it into a DAK variant. Is it a bridge too far or are they close enough?

I have the intitial and the DAK one on the way to my doorstep, by looking at the two from what I have seen built here, it has to be the squared off exhaust shields and the air cleaners found in the DAK offering...and I believe it also includes tracks with the correct guidehorns.

Actually the guide horns are the same as the originial...I think the tracks are actually supposed to be 'mirrored' but not in this version (N. Africa)...if you're real picky, you'll have to get some MK tracks or FM tracks....
The North African version has of course the air cleaners, fenders and yadda yadda yadda, but the kit offers 'updated' drive sprokets, some crisper details (weld seams and such), and some stuff was redone to the turret (the pistol ports)...There's also the new sides to mount the fenders and the new rear plate and engine hatch to help with the fiefel system (real important....I made their first tiger I into an African version using parts from the Tamiya kit and it was a bit of a pain)
HTHs
RC

It is possible to make a Afrika Tiger from an Initial, with some parts from other kits. I've seen it done before. The major changes are going to include the square exhaust shields, Feifel air cleaners, and a standard Tiger stowage bin on the turret. Headlights are moved to the front of the tank (I believe this is an option included in the DML Initial Tiger). Some pics of 501 Tigers show a different shape to the rear mudguard, more rounded instead of square. These Tigers had the track mudguards installed, or at least the mounting points would be there. Check out Restayn's Tiger I on the Western Front for some good pics. I would assume air cleaners, stowage bin, and such could be sourced from the Tamiya Afrika Tiger or other early Tiger kit. Hope this helps you some.

The DAK kit has a set of engine grilles.

David