Tiger I Russia summer 44 + crew

[Pantherman]

So this is my Xmas build.

 

[Phil57]

This will be good. Another chap is building one also. Great stuff, need more tanks.

Phil

 

[Pantherman]

So this is my Xmas build.

Like a kid at Xmas I just couldn't wait another 2 weeks to start so decided to do the crew first. Figures built and grey primed. Shadowing next.
Pantherman

 

[Phil57]

Like a kid at Xmas I just couldn't wait another 2 weeks to start so decided to do the crew first. Figures built and grey primed. Shadowing next.
Pantherman

I am with you. No way I could leave it that long. I note you completely put your figures together prior to painting. I always paint the heads then attach them. Interesting.

 

[Pantherman]

I am with you. No way I could leave it that long. I note you completely put your figures together prior to painting. I always paint the heads then attach them. Interesting.

Hi Phil, I have been building figures in 5 part's. Head, body, leg's together and arm's separately. Paint them up then scrape back the joins for gluing, then filling as required, then touching in the joints. It takes a long time so thought I would do these all made and see how long it would take. If it's around the same time and they look same I will let you know. Kind of an experiment !!
Pantherman

 

[Pantherman]

Like a kid at Xmas I just couldn't wait another 2 weeks to start so decided to do the crew first. Figures built and grey primed. Shadowing next.
Pantherman

I'm not over happy with the commander, it's the tamiya kit one and not as good details as the other crew. Anyone have a recommendation for his replacement?
Pantherman

 

[Phil57]

Fair enough. I do assemble arms and body before painting. Let us know how you find painting a complete assembly. I think the commander looks ok...a bit wooden perhaps. Have you looked at Alpine figures. I can't think of a particular one off the top of my head but they have a lot to choose from.

Phil

 

[Pantherman]

I'm not over happy with the commander, it's the tamiya kit one and not as good details as the other crew. Anyone have a recommendation for his replacement?
Pantherman

I have replaced the commander with one from a hobbyboss set, much happier with the details.

 

[GaryG64]

I'm not over happy with the commander, it's the tamiya kit one and not as good details as the other crew. Anyone have a recommendation for his replacement?
Pantherman

My commander looks similar to yours, he looks like and old guy. I just kept him and gave him grey hair. He's one that came with the tank.
I'm not very good at painting figures.

 

[Pantherman]

My commander looks similar to yours, he looks like and old guy. I just kept him and gave him grey hair. He's one that came with the tank.
I'm not very good at painting figures.

Was that a Tamiya kit? I bought the hobbyboss crew as they are more detailed than the Tamiya crew with the kit. Just thought if I used the Tamiya commander it would always bug me.
Pantherman

 

[Phil57]

Pantherman, that Hobbyboss figure looks pretty good. Detail is as good as you will get from a kit figure. By 1943 I reckon there were plenty of tank commanders on both sides with grey hair and looking older than what they probably were.

Phil

 

[Pantherman]

I have replaced the commander with one from a hobbyboss set, much happier with the details.

So the crew are now filled, primed and dark/light shadowing done. Ready for their numerous top coats and details.
Pantherman

 

[Pantherman]

So the crew are now filled, primed and dark/light shadowing done. Ready for their numerous top coats and details.
Pantherman

A little more progress on the build, wheels everywhere. All primed, top coated and tyre blackened. Done a little more on the crew as well to distract myself when cleaning and sanding wheels!!
Pantherman

 

[Phil57]

Good stuff. Wheels....always the fun part of any tank although I have just completed my first snap together link and length kit. I will not elaborate just yet, but give me rubber band tracks any day.

Phil

 

[Pantherman]

A little more progress on the build, wheels everywhere. All primed, top coated and tyre blackened. Done a little more on the crew as well to distract myself when cleaning and sanding wheels!!
Pantherman

The tiger is getting up to speed now. Done some of the hull and turret. Prepped, primed and fitted the tracks. I've masked them up as they got a final top coat and don't want to overspray them when doing the hull. Got a bit of cleaning and tidying up to do before priming the hull.
Let me know if you spot anything out of place, a second pair of eyes is always worth it.
Pantherman

 

[Pantherman]

The tiger is getting up to speed now. Done some of the hull and turret. Prepped, primed and fitted the tracks. I've masked them up as they got a final top coat and don't want to overspray them when doing the hull. Got a bit of cleaning and tidying up to do before priming the hull.
Let me know if you spot anything out of place, a second pair of eyes is always worth it.
Pantherman

Finally applied the zimmet, not great but happy with it for the first time I've used it.
I have learned to make sure I get all the kit's I am going to use before I start the build as the zimmet at the rear didn't get done because I should have applied it prior to fitting the exhausts etc. Thought about trying to cut it around the part's but you really see very little for the effort. Lesson learnt.
It's all ready for priming now.
Pantherman

 

[Phil57]

That Zimmerit mate, is it the sheet type you buy and glue on or did you apply it with putty?

Phil

 

[Pantherman]

That Zimmerit mate, is it the sheet type you buy and glue on or did you apply it with putty?

Phil

Sheet type.

 

[Pantherman]

Finally applied the zimmet, not great but happy with it for the first time I've used it.
I have learned to make sure I get all the kit's I am going to use before I start the build as the zimmet at the rear didn't get done because I should have applied it prior to fitting the exhausts etc. Thought about trying to cut it around the part's but you really see very little for the effort. Lesson learnt.
It's all ready for priming now.
Pantherman

So the main build is done and now sprayed with matt varnish all ready for weathering, figures and base.
Should take about a month but will keep you all updated as I go.
Pantherman

 

[Phil57]

I am liking this model. The latest photo's show it off really well and the zimmerit actually looks better than I originally thought. Look forward to seeing the big cat finished.

Phil