Tiger I Late Production (Tamiya 1/35 with upgrades from the spares box)

kunjuro · 1 September 2021 08:11

Hey folks. Having been motivated by my recently finished Dragon Tiger I, I’ve begun work on this Tamiya Late Production version for the past few weeks. The Tamiya Tiger I late production was one of the first 1/35 kits I airbrushed and really tried to put some effort on. I decided to get another one and update the parts using spares I have from Dragon Tiger kits. I also got this set of Tamiya Zimmerit sheet. Not the best looking but I’ve never tried them before so I at least want to see how the experience is. I’m relying on the review from our trusty old armorama website ( Armorama :: Academy 1:35 Tiger I (Late) Review) that had a segment with feedback from David Byrden when it come to assembling the kit.

Some of the work so far:

replaced turret roof with a more accurate and better detailed one from Dragon
used a spare cupola from a Dragon King Tiger

-Nearly all of the tools replaced with dragon parts which have a proper latch moulded on. I scratch built the ones for the cutter since I didn’t have a spare from Dragon

Tow cables also replaced with better detailed ones from Dragon
used Tamiya Zimmerit Sticker/Decal. This was surprisingly time consuming to do and the adhesion around corners was pretty prone to weakening. It isn’t also very convicing and the gaps are annoying The zimmerit is also pretty shallow. Making your own is definitely superior and ironically faster - or get the much better DEF models ones.
added the electric cabling on the front headlight
Added PE grille from Passion Models
Added spacers for the adaptor tool on the rear hull
Added a cheap set of PE grilles from Passion Models
Used spare tracks for the turret with Dragon ones that have the proper holes.

What I can’t change:

The kit tracks. It’s nice that they’re individual links so you can properly form the sag but they don’t have lightening holes. I don’t have enough for the running gear so I’m forced to use them as is.

I’m planning to paint her up as Tiger #312 from Pz.Abt.505. I read that there were possible a few tigers to use that number. This was what I initially planned to build:

Unfortunately, the spare track holder in the front looks different from the glacis track holder I have from a Dragon kit. I’ll either have to scratch build one, or build this other #312 instead

I hope that both tigers are similar save for the spare tracks and log? Anyway, that’s all for now. Thanks for looking.

Thanks for looking!

Armor_Buff · 1 September 2021 13:16

Very interesting project! That’s going to be a very sweet 312 Tiger !

Looks like the project is planned and being very well executed! That’s the ideal use for the Dragon spares.

How did the Dragon turret roof fit the Tamiya turret was a lot of tweaking needed?

I agree, it’s fun to try the Tamiya Sticker Zimmerit once but found I generally prefer other methods.

Very inspiring, makes me want to tinker with a Tamiya Tiger!

kunjuro · 1 September 2021 13:33

Thanks Wade. To Tamiya’s credit, the base kit looks dimensionally fine for the most part - so much so that I fit the Dragon turret roof almost like a glove in lieu of the Tamiya part. I applied a bit of two-piece putty to close the gap at the front of the turret roof but other than that, didn’t need to modify anything. Honestly, if you have some of those new 3d german tool clasps, you could just make due with the tools already in the kit.

I also managed to prime her last night - I noticed quite a few parts of the tamiya zimmerit lifting up or having unsightly gaps. I applied vallejo putty to blend them back, but some still look out of place. No matter, will push forward with the paint soon.

Armor_Buff · 1 September 2021 14:55

James, that’s fantastic info on how well the Dragon top fit the Tamiya turret and insight about the 3D clamps for the original tools. Happy to hear that overall the Tamiya kit looks pretty good on various dimensions.

I noticed the Tamiya Zimmerit want to “edge peel” on the fenders on my Pz IV H, finally tacked it down with thin super glue. I also had to use some putty too.

Looking even better in primer:)

Will you do the main gun barrel in tri-color or black lacquer primer?

kunjuro · 11 October 2021 02:02

Hey folks, it’s been a while since I posted in the website. My family got a pretty bad case of COVID during Sept and I had no access to the stash for more than a month. When I got back, I made up my mind to finish this kit. I wasn’t able to add the distinctive log on the side of the tank as I couldn’t find a nice piece of twig that worked.

@Armor_Buff - I went with the panzer grey primer coat on the gun barrel