BIG Bocage Tiger

[Centurion3RTR]

Hi Paul, that zim is going to look great. The last time i did zimmerit it looked like a brick wall on the side of the turret lol, but i did use the green Milliput.

Have fun, John

[tr1ckey66]

Hi John

This is my first Zimm attempt using milliput, although I've used other putties in 1/35. I am using the Super Fine white Milliput. I think the trick to it is to roll it nice and thin and then apply the thin sheets in small sections. Even then I felt the need to press it down even flatter and thinner with my thumb before applying the texture. I know you can buy the pre-formed latex sheets of Zimmerit that you simply glue on, but I don't think they make a set for a late Tiger and, to be honest, I think the putty method will look better. I've completed the rear plate now but I'll not post pics again until the whole hull is done.

Cheers P

Bobby, thanks for the words mate I am glad to be back in the GB!

Andy - we'll (you, me and John) have quite a collection of big cats in a month or so!

[tr1ckey66]

Quick update on the RC Tiger...

The zimmerit is now complete and I'm fairly happy with the results although I think it could have done with being just a tad neater (something I'm going to have to practice a little more). Having said that I'm ok with the result.

Lots of other alts needed to be done before I could finish the zimm application though. These included:-

Altering the position of the track cable mounts.

Altering the profile of the escape hatch on the turret (Late Tigers had simplified hatches without a beveled edge to follow the contours of the turret).

Altering the escape hatch hinges to allow clearance for the turret ring (which needs to be scratched built for the deck).

Installing the turret track hangers (Schumo parts that work)

I've also tested the RC equipment and had the thing trundling round my living room (without a turret) which was fun!

I also needed to do some surgery to the speaker box to fit the batteries properly. After installing the gear reduction I found that the batteries were pushed further back and clearance was needed for the bottom of the 2 batteries.

I'm getting close to the detailing of this tank now and I intend to scratch build both fenders and exhaust shrouds from sheet brass or my old friend the tomato puree tube! I'm also adding etch fasteners for the tools and etch radiator screens and I'm going to try and detail the tools and try and make wooden handles for them, this may not work it I'll give it a go!

I'm also realising that I need to plan the painting stage carefully as this tank is so heavy it will be quite tricky to do. I may even paint the lower hull before detailing the deck as I think the etch parts may not stand up to the man handling required to get to the running gear.

Anyway, here's the pics of the Zimm (the gun is not mounted properly yet but is there just to give an idea of how this will look).

Cheers, Paul

As always any comments welcome

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[tr1ckey66]

Tiger update

The model doesn't look a great deal different but the build has moved on...

1. Soldered on the brass rod to the white metal transmission covers (this requires low melt solder and a 'tinning' of the brass) to support the spare track.

2. Fitted the commander's hatch with a spring mechanism so that the hatch works

3. Detailed the roof with the screws for the internal gun lock mechanism and for the close defence weapon.

4 Added more weld beads to the roof to finish and primed.

5. Started the first bits of etch which are the latches to the turret stowage bin.

6. Fitted 600mm idlers. These are meant to fit the Heng Long Tiger but with a bit of surgery and some careful work with a metal file can be made to fit. I would have preferred to use Wecohe 600mm idlers as they look a lot more accurate but they've stopped making them so these will have to do. To be fair the original Tamiya ones don't look accurate either.

Here's a few pics...

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[Ian M]

That is some fantastic detailing you have done there! Tell me, how did you do the screws in the top of the turret. They look very nice indeed.

All in all its coming together rather nicely Paul.

Ian M

[Guest]

Agree with Ian detail work looks the DB`s ,

Richy

[tr1ckey66]

Thanks Ian, Richy.

The screws are simply plastic rod with slots cut into the ends.

This conversion is starting to get interesting now and I think the details will make a massive difference. With some careful painting I'm hoping to finish up with the definitive Tiger1 (for me at least). I've always preferred the late Tiger 1 and this is turning into a really enjoyable conversion. It's not too difficult and it's been done many times before but I'm enjoying non-the-less. If I have the time I may build a simple diorama base to display it on but this build is really all about the vehicle and the details.

Cheers

Paul

[Guest]

Hey Paul,

Just looking at this beautiful big cat of yours. What scale is it?

Adrian

[tr1ckey66]

Hi Adrian

The scale is 1/16 - it's the Full Option RC Tiger1 from Tamiya. It's a large beast (about 50cm from muzzle brake to exhaust shroud) and it's quite heavy now with all the metal in it. Carrying it is a bit like carrying 5 encyclopedia around! Still not as big as the Armotek machines (1/6) and the absolutely massive 1/4 scale Tiger you can get from Mark 1 (oh for a lottery win!)

Cheers

Paul

[Guest]

Paul there is some fine detailing on this tank, How have you added the weld lines on there? It looks teriffic and can't want to see the finished tank! By the way thanks for all the info on Wittmann. Have a lot to look at now and will be starting a 1/35 scale Tiger soon. not as big as your 1/16 beastie that is for sure. Have you decided which tank this will be? 205 :grinball2r 007. There is certainly a lot to choose from reading Panzer's in Normandy!

Andy

[tr1ckey66]

Hi Ian, thanks for the support.

My Tiger is going to be 222 the one used for the Villers attack. I've made all the mods so far to replicate this vehicle (although I can't be sure whether this machine had a binocular or monocular gunsight). I've got the decals for it but I'm thinking of possibly airbrushing the turret numbers and balkan kreuz on instead (at this scale it's a lot easier).

The weld seams are simply lines of putty and I used a bit of scrap brass rod to add the texture, but, to be honest, you could find loads of things to use as a suitable tool.

Cheers

Paul

[tr1ckey66]

One step forward, 10 back!!!...

It's been 3 weeks since I last updated this thread and (judging by the pics) it does look as though not much progress has been made. In fact I've done quite a lot of work to the Tiger but most of it is remedial work for stuff I wasn't happy with. The turret roof for instance is entirely new. Yep, I revisited the entire thing - cutting plated, weld seams, the hinge manufacture - everything was done again. Why? you might ask. Well, there was a slight bow in the original roof which I was aware of but thought I could live with. This niggled me and had to be put right so all that work was done again. Another revisit was the position of the track hangers on the right side of the turret. These were positioned too far forward and were therefore removed repositioned and made good. The Zimm around this area needed slight repair as a consequence.

Now on to real progress...

I've installed all the electronics for the turret including the gun flash unit. This I felt was a bit too garish and so I toned done the bright orange colour of it by spraying over a few coats of Tamiya smoke. I feel it's now less noticable but the gun flash is still visible.

I've made the new track cable for the left side of the hull (Aber 1mm cable and ends from the spares box) plus the supporting brackets from brass (not quite finished yet).

The main towing cables have been put together these are Schumo items and have working mounts to go with them.

As you can see I've sprayed the completed turret. I've given it a little shading but the bulk of the work on fading, tonal variation will be done once the hull receives it's yellow paint and the whole thing gets the tricolour camo treatment.

The engine deck is next which again needs a few mods - turret ring added, tools repositioned and some alts to the rear of the deck. Once this is done it will be pretty much time to complete the paintwork and get on with finishing

Anyway, that's about it so far. Hope you like the progress.

All comments welcome

Cheers

Paul

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[tr1ckey66]

Here's a little update on the Tiger 1 progress.

I've got the engine deck to a stage where the tools can now placed. This required quite a lot of repositioning of things to turn the 'Early' deck into the 'Late' version.

I've also fabricated replacement side skirts from brass sheet.

Here's a few pics

Cheers

Paul

[Ian M]

This is really some serious building going on here. It looks fantastic. The reworked turret looks excellent to. (as did the previous version !).

Ian M

[Guest]

Hi Paul Can I ask what you used to make the Patton for the zimm.It's a shame that the last lot of pics are missing.Looks like its going to be a cracking tiger.