This is going to be my next project. I'm going to put it into a simple diorama inspired by a picture from a book. The picture shows a destroyed Ferdinand with the rear hatch blown off and a russian soldier peering inside, taken during/after the Kursk offensive.

what are some good after market kits for this model and where is a good US based distributor for them. Since the hatches will be off/open I will need at lest some interior detail.

Thanks.

Get the new DML/Dragon kit. They are VERY nice.

I think it's better than the old Italeri.

As far as inerior detail, I don't believe either kit has any. Maybe try some aftermarket.

Steve

Sorry! Think I answered the wrong question.

Steve

I just received the Part photo etch set (#P35-055) for the Dragon Sd.Kfz.184 Ferdynand (Polish based company spells it that way) from George Parada, who advertises here in the Buying/Selling Forum. He's in Canada and it cost me $10+ shipping. Nice photo etch set that is made in a copper color, I have several of Part's PE sets. I haven't opened this one, but it looks to give you a good amount of PE parts without the $20 price tag of the Eduard set. I do not know if Aber makes a set for this kit, but if they did it would be in the $22-26 range and most likely be extremely comprehensive, almost bordering on the ridiculous.

I've done quite a bit of business with George through Ebay, model forums and direct e-mail and he's a respectable dealer. No connection with his business other than being a satisfied customer.

As far as I know, only DML/Dragon makes the Ferdinand; however, both DML and Italeri make the Elefant (basically a late Ferdinand with a hull MG).

Hi Chip ..Jaquar does make an interior for the old italerie kit ,but with a bit of fiddling around you can get it to fit ... As for aftermarket stuff there are the usual ones like Eduard and Aber...I also remember seeing someone who makes fenders for this kit...If you want to go all the way on this kit you can spend a fortune...I noticed Trakz has just brought out a decal sheet for Ferdies of the 653rd at Koursk, If you're like me I'm going to go the Archer way as I would rather work with dry transfers...If you go with aftermarket tracks be sure you order for the Ferdinand and not the Elephant...because they changed the tracks when they went in for the refit...Oh and by the way if you don't want to spend all that ...you don't have to as it is very nice out of the box...One thing to watch out for if you have dragons original casting of this kit as I do you have to fix the hinges on the aiming periscope roof flap...If you got a later kit they fixed the mould.. Also there is a big bolt on the back plate that is not in the right place ...no big problem there just shave it off and put it back in the right place...Have fun with your project....

Rick

Royal Model have a set for this or it's the elefant? the one thing you definitely need to correct is the hatch hinge on the top roof, somehow Dragon made it at the wrong angle. with the dragon construction, the hatch CANNOT be opened, so you have to cut them off, and reposition it. Check out your kit, then you see what I mean.

The kit tracks has to go, it has the middle chevron on the track inverted, Friul's track is correct.

HTH, god, I am turning into a rivet counter!!!!

One more thing, Aber has a new set for the Ferdinand, comes with brass big bolts, very very nice!!!!

Just a correction ...the tracks on the Ferdinand are ok it is the Elephant tracks that are backwards ...I'm pretty sure if it ...maybe ..erhh could be ...I think...lol

Rick

In addition to the Part P/E set, I can recommend the following -

Friulmodel Tracks
CMK Hot Barrel
Royal Model Update Set
Elefant Tow Cables (The kit does not have them and EVERY Ferdie was issued two)

Also, the magazine AFV MOdeler had a really good write up on building the Elefant with the interior. The Jaguar set took more than a bit of fiddling... it took a lot of work to make it accurate.

For references, I'd also recommend the Armada book...and Achtung Panzer #6.

Later,
Tim
I've built the kit with only minor updates... it is very nice