Tamiya Scale Model - German Tiger I Tank- Early version (Kit# 35216)
Of all scale model kits producers of the world, Tamiya model kits are still in the forefront of innovation and subjects. This is especially so, for WWII german army subjects. I have built most of the motorised models of german tanks during my younger self; such as the Panther, Tiger I and Jadgtiger. Most were either unpainted or brush painted. The most memorable early models made in the 80s was the motorised model released of the Tiger I tank from 1970s with very bad figures by today's standards. These have now gone with the wind and ended as scraps parts.
My Collections of reasonably priced Tamiya Tiger I included, 2 x SturmTiger; 1 x Steel wheel Late version Tiger I and this Early version Tiger I (Kit number 35216). Nostalgia led me to start kit 35216, First, was the construction of the Tiger fearsome 8.8cm KwK36 L/56 turned gun barrel from Aber. The set includes turned aluminium, brass and PE parts. A small counter fishing lead weight was added to bottom of the breech block to balance the weight of the barrel. Other add-ons included some Aluminum foil as canvas covers. these shaped easily and is held in place with super glue. An alternate to using foil is to us roll up and flaten some two-part putty from tamiya and lay over the required area.
Metal barrel and foil in place
The construction of the model kit was pretty much OOB. (Out of the Box) or so i thought. One thing led to the other with the need for more details. Some torsion and frame details were made (photo 1). This was followed by turret details using evergreen plastic. (Photos 2~4).
photo 1
photo 2
photo 3
photo 4
A mix of Tamiya acrylics and Vallejo colours was used to create the three-tone pattern. Raised areas were then painted with lighter tones green, browns, white+ buff+ dark yellow to modulate colours. Detailed parts were individually painted and then chipped with sponge to show some rough use in the field. (Photo 5~7) using Vallejo colours.
Photo 5
Photo 6
Photo 7
Photo 8
This was allow to dried before two coats of clear before working with artist oils on the scale model kit. The top surfaces received dry ground colours along edges and engine areas where mud and dust can collect. (photo 8). The same treatment was done on the turret horizontal surfaces but will less intensity. The spockets, idlers and road wheels received light coat of dust colours and then excess removed by stroking outwardly with a damp round brush damped with thinner. The tracks of this kit was the tradition rubber band type that can be contacted by glue adhesive and not by melting the pins with some heated nail. Details on the tracks are quite good. The tracks were coloured first before gluing them together. A coat of red brown was used before using various brown tones mixed with small amounts of steel colour applied randomly on the tracks. Using Vallejo Model Air in Yellow and Rust. The watery paint was touched randomly on the tracks to further create a rusted characteristic on the track. Finally, enamel steel was drybrushed to highlight bare metal finishes.
Photo 9 shows a mixed of standard and late version steel wheels.
The end result was an easy and uncomplicated built with the emphasis on colour application, modulation, pin washing, weathering effects and stains to produce a satisfying experience building the legendary Tiger I heavy tank of the German Army. Thank you Tamiya!
Tiger I heavy tank -Top Left view
Tiger I heavy tank - Top Right view
Tiger I heavy tank - Side view
Tiger I heavy tank - Three-quarter view
I will leaved you with the roar of Tiger '131' from Dorset England until the next post.
The world's only operational Tiger I tank is Tiger 131, which is preserved at The Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset, England:
