This is my rendition of the Tiger I belonging to Schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502 also known as “Tactical 100”.

This project actually started out with the pre-built 1/35th scale Cyber Hobby offering of this particular AFV. I was very disappointed in the finish work on the tank so I decided to use it for weathering practice. For anyone interested in the effectiveness of a filter, this might be a good Bench Mark. The paint was a very pale blue-green-grey color. The weathering was a joke, looked like someone had started to paint the tank white and never finished, I guess it was supposed to be heavy dust.

I like to set certain parameters to work within on a practice project so I decided to limit myself to only using certain things to accomplish the make-over with. For a color filter I used MIGs P240 Blue for Panzer grey, two coats only. You can see the results, made a big positive difference in the grey, very happy with the result.

For all other weathering I‘m using my Winsor & Newton oils straight from the tube, diluting as required here and there for the various weathering types and conditions. Using a wide range of brush sizes as well. No airbrush, no toning, no washes, no pastel chalk and no pencils. MIG pigment has been used for some of the ‘dry’ stains, the rusted mufflers and will be used in conjunction with his Acrylic Resin product P032 to add mud to the wheels and lower portions of the hull.

Ultimately this project will also have its display base modified to resemble a muddy road with traces of snow starting to show up along the edges.

Thanks for looking, comments always welcome.
Rick Turner

Don't know much about Tigers, but your weathering is turning out nicely.

Nice so far. I like the horseshoe.

Thanks very much gents. I’m hoping to have time this weekend to start the mud on the lower portions of the hull, sprockets and road wheels. I plan on doing the hull deck last. I’ve never tried doing a “pin wash” (I think its called), the original white dust that was added is a little heavy in some of the recessed areas, need to darken those areas just a tad.

Also, should a Tiger this early have grill guards on the engine deck? I thought I saw a photo somewhere, maybe of this tank, from left rear side that showed the edge of one of the guards. Maybe not, not sure on that one.

Working on a set of Fruils too. These display pieces came with vinyl tracks, unfortunately they were glued on crooked and I couldn’t get them to straighten out well enough. Never done muddied tracks before either, anyone have any suggestions on that task?

Thanks again.
Rick

very nice tiger. I love that light grey color!

koen

Thanks Koen, first time for me using a filter to correct paint so very happy with the way the grey came around.

Found an answer on the screens too -

http://tiger1.info/EN/InitMeshScreens.html

Rick

nice work dude the weathering is great

Hi

That is a great looking Tiger. The weathering on it is outstanding, for one colour you have really brought it to life.


Well done
Ryally

Thanks gents.

Progress! Turret is complete, pin wash in certain areas really helped punch up the details. Additional detailing and weather was added to the hatch interiors. The basic turret interior was detailed and a wash was used more as a shortcut for that area. Details in the commander’s hatch were painted and weathered through the hatch since they were already installed. Kind of like trying to paint a ship in a bottle but everything turned out O.K. Didn’t want to spend too much time on the rudimentary interior but didn’t want it looking all bright and shiny when the hatches are open either.

Both hatches had been installed incorrectly, had to repaired both. The thing that messed up the commander’s hatch was the fact that the “factory” added a dab of glue to the hinge point in the center of the hatch. Couldn’t move along the slider, wouldn’t open and stay open correctly. Luckily the dab of glue was very small and an application of turpentine was able to free it up. Minor detail but I also drilled out the co-ax MG flash hider, good ‘ole Xacto #11.

Completed application of the acrylic resin mud to the lower portions of the hull. I did the bottom of the hull and bottom of the outer hull sponsons as well as the inside walls behind the roadwheels, the suspension and underside of the mud guards. Did all of the downward facing surfaces like a spackled ceiling so as to look like a bunch of drips were going on at one time, plus that mud is a little fresher.

MIG acrylic resin for pigments with P033 Dark Mud and DAP plaster of Paris were used for the base mud. A little P028 Europe Dust is tossed in but not completely mixed in right before application. Three different (cheap) brushes are used, a small round, a medium round and a ¼” wide flat to work in and around everything. The flat brush comes in handy for applying mud (in this case) to the bottom of the outer hull sponsons while the roadwheels are in place. I worked with one side of the brush only keeping the side facing the wheels clean at all times. Once dry I randomly dusted the base mud with MIG P028 Europe Dust and P232 Dry Mud to punch it up a bit plus now it looks like I have a range of dry to still slightly wet mud over all lower portions of the vehicle.

Mud on the road wheels is basically hand painted in oils, MIG Dry and Dark Mud mixed in for texture. Pin wash used to bring out the hub details and add a little oil mess to the muddy surfaces. Wear to rubber tires was done with 400 wet or dry sandpaper with a dash of pigment tossed in here and there for color. Didn’t want the tires to be just one dull color. Right side is about done, need to finish up the left side roadwheels and whatnot next.

Tail end is done, added the exhaust extensions that seem to be particular to early 502 Tigers. Scratch built from thin walled 9/16” (about) aluminum tubing. Have no idea what the screens are from other than the spare parts box. A set of Aber Tiger I screens have been trimmed out for the grills and are ready for paint.

Front end is done with the exception of the spare tracks, still want to darken them up just a little more. Plus the end links need to be drilled, minor detail, easy to fix.

Still much to do, even though this project started out as practice on a pre-built kit I’ve had great fun so far and look forward to work on the base and ultimately completion.

Thanks for checking it out, comments are always most welcome.

Rick

More progress over the past week. Hull weathering is complete with the exception of the hull deck, I’ll work the engine deck area next. Fruils are assembled and test fit. I’ll remove, glue, blacken and weather the tracks while I work on the hull deck. I like to have a few things going at the same time for a little variety in the tasks at hand.

Thanks for looking.













Rick

I truely love the weathering job you've done on this build. This gives me better understanding of other modellers methods. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Charles. I too enjoy reading about how other model builders tackle the same problems. Just like my work I like to fold those ideas into my own methods which has really help me in many areas. In the short time I’ve been on this site I’ve found several interesting ideas and techniques to try on future builds.

I also always try something new on each project. Try something new, take a few chances maybe, but always keep moving forward in developing ones skills. If you feel like your stuck on a plateau and not making progress, try something different.

And every once in a while try something just for fun and for practice like this project.

Rick

Looks great thus far. Do you have anymore weathering to do to the upper hull? In the on picture from above it looks as though the turret is really weathered while the upper hull/back deck is pretty unweathered. Maybe some fuel stains etc. Maybe you hadn't gotten to that part yet when the pic was taken. Anyway, looks great so far. Keep at it. "Q"

ps...duh, just noticed that the screen weren't painted so I can assume there is more to be done. I guess I should eat breakfast and wake up before I jump on the PC..

Thanks Red 4, yup, weathering to the hull deck is all that remains. Over the past view days I completed and installed the Fruils but decided to also work the display base over in-lieu of the hull deck. I had my mind in ‘mud mode’ and wanted to finish off work with the acrylic resin first. Should have some new progress photos in a couple days.

I think your idea about extra oil and fuel stains on the engine deck will fit right in with this version of Tactical 100. I figured most of the wear and tear at this point of its short operational history to be more from the elements and from mechanics and technicians constantly trashing on the vehicle to keep it running.

Rick