TIGER I n.112 - 501 s.pz.abt.- Italeri 1.35

[ironwork]

Hi Fellow Modellers,

I have to thank a friend, Alessandro, who unfortunately has stopped modeling for too much work (yes, in that there is still someone in Italy ...).

He gave me this stuff, already with correct modelkasten early tracks.

I found this picture on the internet, too intriguing. From there to throw myself over was a snap. But the Italeri is a middle way between the initial version and later. Duty to do some improvements.

Due to the recognizable cap on the gun armour, this is the No. 112, still running but with the burnt bow, but I have no reference to how and why.

Edited August 20, 2014 by ironwork

[HL-10]

[ironwork]

As told, the first thing to do is to change tracks for early pattern ones. Modelkasten are easy to build and realistically workable.

Then all tool and mudguard supports are puttied up / deleted. Early style mudguards followed the lower hull line. This way they were slightly bent downwards.

Hull too needs some putty. This one is waterbased, and all excess is then removed with alcohol, with no sanding.

[Hamden]

Great start looking forward to more!

Roger

[oz!]

this looks interesting.

regards oz!.

[ironwork]

Thanks Guys !

A pair of useful books, the left one to know the various changes in tooling fitting, the right one has some interesting pictures about earliest tigers unloaded from fahr prahms in tunisia

All details are then added with plasticard / pressed tin rods / aluminium food shelves. Tow cable fitting of first tigers was reversed, with loopholes fitted on the back, so all hull hooks are different from the kit's ones.

Back mudguards were of a narrow type, without external hinged plates. Also muffler's armored caps must be omitted, and hinged covers added.

Another typical feature were the bent metal strips on lower hull to support spare track sections.

Edited August 21, 2014 by ironwork

[Matt182]

looking really good so far

[Hamden]

Coming along nicely

Roger

[ironwork]

Now the part i best like, painting and finishing.

First layer of this primer, thinned with tamiya thinner, has a dark brown finish.

Second layer of the same product, thinned with alcohool, has a dirty and faded apparel. This helps when an uneven finish is needed.

The same for tracks.

[ironwork]

A full day drying time for primer, then the base paint. Do not ask me the brand, it's a home made mix directly from raw materials.

The burnt bow and mufflers, are left unpainted. Primer color is also left to appear here and there through the paint, like on wheels.

[Ozzy]

Your tiger looks really good, I have German tiger tanks, "along with a few others".I find it really useful.

[ironwork]

Thanks Ozzy !

To add shape, lights and shadows,I find easier and faster to directly use transparent filters.

PAINT FADING 2 was airbrushed on upper spots and plate borders.

[Hamden]

This is stunning work - I can't wait to see the finished effects

Roger

[ironwork]

I must again say thanks, Roger.

Now a water-thinned overall airbrushing of ACID FILTER, to rebalance lights a bit.

Then shadows were airbrushed with another transparent filter, GREY BLUE AGEING.

You'll note that i do not use lighter and darker hues of the basic color, into a tone-over-tone manner, as usually done. I prefer to do this job directly with filters, progressively adding a chromatic "richness". Thus bypassing the usual color-modulation-then-filters. (and smelling no solvants, since these ones are waterbased)

[DByrden]

with the burnt bow, but I have no reference to how and why

It looks to me as if they painted over some damage on the tank. They certainly painted over the mantlet, where it took a hit, and a round cap was welded on.

But, the original colour of the tank was the first Tropen scheme, which is greenish; and now they are using the paint from the second Tropen scheme, RAL 8020, which is a lighter sand pink; so all of the repairs are in a lighter colour. I think the entire left side around the driver's visor is now RAL 8020.

David

[DByrden]

the left one to know the various changes in tooling fitting, the right one has some interesting pictures about earliest tigers unloaded from fahr prahms in tunisia

The first 3 Tigers (including "112" were transported on a ship. The others used Marinefährprahms. We have only about 4 photos of Tigers on these little ferries;

http://tiger1.info/event-page/142-ferry-Reggio

http://tiger1.info/event-page/142-Tunis-arrival

does that book show more?

David

Edited August 28, 2014 by DByrden

[ironwork]

Hi David,

the b&b book, shows n 112 being ferried by fahr prahm or similar barge. About the color, the mantlet was surely repaired and painted over before the bow burning, as there are some pictures depicting this tank. But i don't believe they also painted the bow with lighter color, as this burnt areas are still visible. Anyway, with that inclined light and dust build up, the exact colors are a mistery.

[ironwork]

With a bit of cut-and-reposition, the n.112 can be achieved directly from kit's decals. They are put on with some CRYTAL LOCK to avoid silvering.

I prefer to set decals after light and shadows, and then harmonize them with some brushed on filters, to achieve a the controlled contrast i want.

Edited September 1, 2014 by ironwork

[ironwork]

After a bit of stop due to vacation ( and working twice to recuperate those "lost" days...), it's time to go on with the beast.

Now let's go to the burnt part, with the specific filter/colors from "burnt out pack". I did not use the specific primer, using the appearing dark brown primer left from the previous painting.

Subsequent layers of the different filters are left to flow, over the water-wet surface, to let them freely spread and fade.

[HL-10]

Impressive paint work, especially the burnt section!

[Mike]

Whooo! That's looking rather nice Beppe

[Sgt.Squarehead]

Very striking finish and a novel technique with the highlighting and shading filters.

[Hamden]

Another master class in painting/weathering STUNNING work!

Roger

[IanC]

Some outstanding work there, but the top of the turret looks like its made from canvas - the different tones give the impression of fabric rising and falling over a frame...

I've seen that look on other models, but to me it just doesn't look right at all, and spoils the rest of the model which is superb.

Hope you don't mind me saying. Everything else is top notch!

Ian

Edited October 5, 2014 by IanC

[ironwork]

Thanks you all guys. Too kind coomments anyway...

@IanC : you're right Ian, i wanted to give to turret both a dust-faded and geometrically highlighted spot, and i liked to overdo it a bit.

Then, having on hand the "burnt" filters, i used them for a wash over mufflers. (which were previously left in their primer brown color.)