Heres a pic of my in progress DML Tiger I late. I haven't started to weather it or decal it, but I want to get the tracks ready first.



Feel free to provide feedback

Cheers

Branden

Nice job! The zim looks good and I really like the exhaust, it is just right and not overdone. A few scrapes and bangs in the weathering and it should be perfect!

Branden:

Nice tiger. The Camo scheme looks great. What did u use for the Zimmerit? How are you finding the new magic tracks? The blackened exhaust is a nice touch.

Cant wait to see it done and hunting some poor allied vehicle

Nice in progress shots. I like it so far. A couple of little things I see, the tops of the 'hubs' on the ends of the axles is still gray. Also I can see some dark yellow on the inside of the exhaust covers. Easily fixed with a brush touch up.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the comments.

The zimm is atak, which I had never used (I am still brand new to armor modeling) but I am pleased with.

Brian, the magic tracks gave me a headache for about two hours until I finally figured out how to get them to lay flat, mine were very twisted when assembled. Now I have to try the other side.

Scott, the wheels are not done yet so I will make sure to get the grey. For the exhaust covers, should the inside not be dark yellow?

Cheers

Branden

Branden, the inside of that open hatch should be dark yellow.

David

The DML late is a great kit isn't it? I don't want to nit pick, but I agree with the issues pointed out above and...

The turret mounted track blocks are incorrect. The live pins are missing, you can use styrene rod to replicate them, and they would never lock down in the position you have them in. There is also naked gray plastic visible behind them. Maybe its the lighting, but the tow cable and track block color doesn't look quite right to me.

I never offer criticism without a suggestion, so here is how your track block attachment should look:



More importantly, you have used the command version rear hull plate, with the diagonal antenna tube. This version should have no coax machine gun port in the mantlet (the space was filled by a radio) and should have the proper antenna ports in the hull:

The "star" mount requires you to drill the hull and mount the antenna "bucket" flush like this, and mount the "fold down" hardware next to the gun cleaning rods:



On the left side, you must drill and install the antenna mount:



I see you have the proper turret roof mount, so you are OK there. Remember, if you are depicting PzAbltng 101 in Normandy, only three vehicles had this configuration, call numbers 007,008, and 009. Something to think about when you apply markings.

Good luck in finishing your Tiger.

Regards,

Steve

Crockett,

Thanks for your comments, I used your build as my sole reference because I don't have any Tiger references at home. As for the spare tracks can you expand on how they are mounted wrong? I did it exactly as the instructions said and I can't see a difference between your and mine, but if mine are wrong, please explain how I can fix them.

I will be building 009, but as I don't have references, I don't believe the camo is correct. I filled the coax hole in the mantle, added the star antenna bucket and have all of the antenna mounts. I will post more pics when I get a chance.

Cheers

Branden

Nice tiger Branden! I think it looks nice and I really like that exhausts. Nice weathered effect there.
Where did you order your Atak zim? I was waiting for greatmodels to get it in but I feel like stating it now. Was the Atak set easy to work with?
More pics please.

Het Branden,

I don't think anybody knows for sure as to what camo pattern is correct. I wouldn't sweat that too much. Your camo looks good, it just needs final weathering and touch up, which I'm sure you will get around to. I meticulously copied the pattern on the instruction sheet, which I think is fairly accurate, as the pattern avoids the tool areas. This indicates it was sprayed in the field and the tools were left in place.

Look closely at my track blocks, you will see a pin through the block (these are fruilmodel, with a straight pin installed). The blocks should have the track pin, as they locked into the folding traps on the turret side using the pin as an anchor. Without the track pin, the block would simply fall out of the keeper. The track pin should be centered directly underneath the hinged flapper, thereby spacing the blocks properly.

Regards,

Steve

Heres another pic. I was able to get the decals done, and also start on the weathering. I worked on the color of the spare tracks and tow cables as Crockett suggested, but was unable to fix the positioning of the spare tracks. Oh well, live and learn.



Cheers

Branden

So far it looks good.
I'm not an expert at German stuff, but here's an excellent link for references for your next build.

http://tiger1.info/

I'll be using it if and when I get around to building my Tiger kit.

Looks like you are off to a good start, Branden. Best way to improve your armor modelling skills is to observe the talent of other armor modellers. Armorama is a great place for that.

You did a nice job on the camo scheme, and I really like what you did with the Atak Zimmerit. Well done.

Are you planning any crew figures ?

Cheers !!

Alpen

Crockett:

I hate to say this, but the tracks link holders didn't work as you described. No pin was necessary, and the upper flap did not grasp the track the way you modelled it.

See the end of this page:
http://tiger1.info/EN/TrackLinkHolders.html

David

I got around to some drybrushing, i am finally having fun with this build after a month or so of frustration waiting for parts and building without references.

here some pics





Cheers

Branden

Alpen,

I will be putting crew in, but since I haven't ever painted figures, I want an inexpensive crew.

Anyone know of an inexpensive crew that will work with this model?

Cheers

Branden

Wow,

That is really looking cool Branden!, that Tiger is really starting to roar! Congratulations!

Steve

Dave

If you look at your document, you will see at the very bottom the configuration that I have modeled. Experienced Tiger crews would lock the blocks in upside down to prevent them from falling out of the keepers, a lesson learned in Russia during artllery bombardment..

Steve

An exerpt from the reference you site:

"I have seen a single photograph of a crew who stored their track links the wrong way around, as the above diagram shows. This is possible because the hook on the top of the turret can typically droop a couple of centimeters below the level position, enough to reach the top of the link. Also, a track pin could be put in the link to help this hook grasp it."

Steve



:-)

Crockett,

Do you know if 009 had binocular mantlet holes? I know you found that 008 did, I was just wondering if you had any conclusive pics of 009.

Cheers

Branden

Branden,

Nothing conclusive in "Tigers In Combat 2", there is a good shot of 009 on page 230, but you can't see the mantlet face. However, there are three shots of 3rd company PzAbtlng 101, as well as a frontal of 008, and they ALL have binocular sights. I think you would be OK going with the binocular mantlet, but, right now, without a definitive reference, either or my man!

Steve

Well, but, if they were upside down, the guide horns would be at the top, no?

>> "a lesson learned in Russia during artllery bombardment"

Can you say where you got this information? Thanks!

David

That Tiger of yours is looking great Branden.I must say you really did a nice job on the paint.


Regards

Mark

Branden, nice start. Looks real good for one of your first. I look forward to seeing this finished. Cheers Kevin

Here are some pics with the tracks on. I was hoping that someone would have a fix for the track sag. It looks funny to me because it is not sitting on the road wheels. Is that the way it is supposed to be or do I need to fix it?

I was also wondering if the numbers on the storage bin look to bright. I was able to blend the decals on the zim alright because of the relief it offered for washes and drybrushing. But the storage bin is so smooth that those techiques didn't really blend the decals so well. Anyone have any suggestions to fix this.





Thanks a lot

Branden

Hey Brian,

Looking good!, I think I would simply try to glue those tracks to the roadwheels. A nice mist coat over the storage box decals would blend the call #'s in a little bit, but, I think they look just fine as is, IMHO.

Steve