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My GB Tiger entry is Dragon kit 6253 This original 2005 boxing Dragon kit is one I’ve had in the stash for a number of years now so I am really looking forward to only my second ever Tiger I build! There have been a few re-releases since, but this is the original with a host of addition multimedia parts. It’s not all doom and gloom if photo-etch is a turn off as there are styrene alternatives. So, let’s pop open the box and inspect what is reputed to be one of the very best of what this manufacturer produced back in the day. It’s a comprehensive 3 in 1 package in which you can build three different Ausf E variants. A late, a late command vehicle and the final version. There are five frets of photo-etch including track guards, exhaust surrounds, engine grills, command tank aerial and multipart tool clamps to name just a few. There is an additional turned metal barrel and muzzle brake and five different ammunition shell types, metal tow hooks and tow cables and yes, there is a metal bucket. There are individual magic track links and the option to build working torsion suspension. There are plenty of options depicting the differences between late and final versions including two turret roof types and final type patterned steel wheels. The box is packed with almost every conceivable extra and was considered back when released, everything you could possibly need. Well, almost everything. Unlike later releases with far less parts and rubber band tracks this kit does NOT have any Zimmerit. Although the inclusion of Zimmerit anti magnetic paste ended in Sept 1944, production of the Tiger I ended in August, so all late and final builds would have received factory Zimmerit. Why this kit didn’t come with any moulded on I couldn’t say. I know Dragon did release kits with it on, but I’m not qualified to say how successful it was. It’s not a massive issue as aftermarket manufacturers released their own not long after the kits release. I’ve gone for a safe pair of hands with the ATAK specific set. This includes two pattern types for the turret and two resin mantlets and turret escape hatches. I’ve also got a set of Friul metal tracks to add some heft to the build. Knowing very little about the production history of these big cats I’ve turned to David Byrden who helped the manufacturer with technical assistance for this particular kit. Along with a comprehensive history and insight into Tiger I production his excellent website https://tiger1.info/vehicle.html also lists the majority of Tiger I 1/35 scale kits and lists any issues that each might have. For this kit there are no major problems, just a few pointers to solve instruction discrepancies, and some small additions and modifications. With the choice of three, the first logical step is to choose a variant. I’ve always been fascinated with the Normandy campaign, so I will be choosing a vehicle from one of the heavy tank battalions below. The Tigers that were operating in Normandy fought exclusively, as far as I know, in the British and Canadian sectors around Caen where the German armour was concentrated. Three German schwere Panzer Abteilung fought in Normandy and a few Tigers may (or may not) have been present in the Panzer Lehr Division. Not all of them where of the late type and many had been re-built so a litte further research to find a suitable candidate will be required s.SS-Pz.Abt. 101 had 45 Tiger I and reached Normandy on June 12, travelling from Beauvais near Paris. Michael Wittmann and the 1st and 2nd Companies famously fought in the well-known battle of Villers-Bocage on June 13. s.Pz.Abt. 503 was transferred to Normandy with 33 Tiger I and 12 Tiger II in early July. s.SS-Pz.Abt. 102 was transferred to Normandy with 45 Tiger I in early July. They were engaged in the bitter fighting for Hill 112. Tiger 232 of SS.Pz.Abt 101. Larger pattern zimmerit on the turret, monocular gunsight and a centrally mounted loaders hatch handle. An MG AA mount is also fixed to the cupola Beat up Tiger 111. Concave type sprocket, large idler wheel and offset muzzle brake Tiger 211 of SS.Pz.Abt 102 commanded by Martin Schroif, The second highest scoring Tiger commander with 161 credited victories Tiger 222 of Schwere SS Panzer Abteilung 101 Towing Tiger 231 towards Caen on Route Nationale 175 out of Villers-Bocage. The next step was to decipher the infamously busy Dragon instructions. Credit to them they do break down the various differences for each of the three variants at each critical stage, but I still double checked that these were correctly picked out and made notes from the David Byrden website. CONSTRUCTION The first steps build up the running gear. The lower hull tub is a one-piece affair to which you first add the front tow hook extensions and individual torsion bars and inner wheels. After each torsion bar has been cleaned up, they fit snugly unglued through the hull, and the workable design means fixing the bar ends as instructed in the grooved slots to the small fixings added on the opposite wall. This system allows the suspension to compress and rebound as per the real thing and it works fairly* well. Although the instructions are not overly clear the track pin return plate is to be positioned slightly differently if the smaller idler is used. It fixes angled down at the rear to operate effectively on the smaller idlers. David Byrden points out that the smaller idler wheel was introduced about a month before the thicker roof so its very unlikely that a larger idler would have been present on any vehicle represented by this kit. I would recommend leaving the idler axle unfixed until the tracks are added to get the perfect fitment. There are two sets of both inner and outer wheels with one set representing those fitted to the final version. There is also a choice of two sprockets. As far as I can tell there is zero difference to the outer face other than the spokes on one are concave and the other convex. All wheels dry fitted *as seen in the images below, full compression isn't that effective. The second image shows the whole structure lifting at the rear so you would have to add extra weights into the hull for it to work more effectively. However, individual wheels do articulate seperately over uneven ground. Two lower hull rear plates are included, with one representing the different fixings used on the command variant. Before adding any additional components the ATAK Zimmerit will first have to be added and any location holes it covers, opened up. Any damage is also best added at this stage. There is the option of one plastic or two types of metal tow shackles and pins. I understand the squarer shaped ones were fitted to the final tanks. David Byrden points out two small updates required in step 5. Firstly, the exhaust muffler top guard is supported on pins (parts C3) and these are orientated incorrectly. These are easily repositioned using the guide on his website. Secondly the adapter plate that is positioned between the exhaust sits on two small posts moulded to the rear lower hull plate. These are 1mm too long so reducing their size allows the plate to sit as intended. The exhaust shields are offered in both plastic and pre-formed photo-etch. Whatever medium you choose the shields were actually mounted to small square spacers. This is not a detail added to the rear plate. Again, these are easy enough to scratch build out of plastic card. The jack brackets are offered in both plastic and photo-etch. Late gun tank rear hull plate fitted I have read that Dragon deliberately moulded the hull with a slight warp in the hull tub as a design intended to allow for a snug fit with the hull roof and side plates. The rear plate is big enough and strong enough to force the hull sides into the proper alignment, but at the front it requires a little help to overcome the warp. Using the roof plate moulding as a template, positioning a length of sprue or wood or brass etc, cut down to the necessary size, will brace the lower hull to allow the perfect fitment of the roof plate moulding. Images below taken from David Byrden's webpage to illustrate Roof moulding and turret shell dry fitted to the lower hull showing how much the lower hull bows in at the front without any bracing

Evening all........about time I kicked off the GB blog. Here's where she began as a standard blog build......but ended up languishing in a draw.........so have taken the chance to have a deadline and get it done........ Managed to get some of the final units put together.....engine, transmission, side walls and floor.....and then started to tedious painting in stages during the build............this is where I've had to leave off until Thursday. The paint I'm using is a Hataka modulation set for German "Red Primer" AFV Panel Lighting. I have to say, very impressed with the paint itself....it airbrush's with no issue's and dry's to a beautiful finish. The set is supposed to start with a A100 Jet Black (RAL 9005)....but decided to skip it and went straight on with the A174 Brown Primer Shadow. Looking back and final finish, I wish I had used the Jet Black.......live and learn. It's the first "Red Primer" colour lay down I've done....so making notes. There's two choices in interior paint job after the Primer is down. The MIG Interior painting illustration has everything Dunkel Gelb....sponsons, and everything above 12 to 16" from the floor. Another is taken from an actual analysis of a Berge in Germany, and it has a smattering in the forward driver and radio crew positions.........have to see how masking can be done as I fancy the MIG one, to show up the chipping better. Anyway.....off to read some of the other blogs in the GB.....nite all.....

Morning all, and Happy New year.....a recent completed Bergepanther for the Panther GB. Here's the rest of the pics. Tools and other stowage to follow once they turn up....delayed due to lockdown ...Once here, I'll add and update the pics. Here's the build blog for those interested.... All the best Simon.

Afternoon all. The time has arrived and the need to kick off the big build for 2020. All my remaining un-finished projects will be used to break up the long timeline on this new one. The beautifully moulded and detailed Takom Bergepanther Ausf A. by DEMAG This will also be the main star of my first diorama too. Not sure what the scene will be yet, so for now I'm going to start the build of the Panther. With it being a full interior one, the diorama may be a basic one to have a base to put affix it too with maybe another small vehicle and some figures. I might try and attempt also to build the actual wooden upper structure in wood to aid weathering and worn wood look in places. Have to see, and if feasible when I get that far. As if I don't have enough to do, I also have the Voyager PE set and a must for an Ausf A.......the ATAK Zimmerite........... I'll do my best to take pix as I go along, but it'll be a long slog ahead. Cheers......

Tanmodel is working on 1/72nd and 1/32nd Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) / Agusta-Westland T-129 ATAK helicopter kits - ref.? First the 1/72nd kit to be followed by the 1/32nd one. The TAI/Agusta-Westland T-129 is a twin-engine, tandem seat, multi-role, all-weather attack helicopter based on the Agusta A-129 Mangusta platform. Sources: https://www.facebook.com/tanmodel/photos/a.293378480850420.1073741830.288722731315995/621519128036352/?type=3&theater https://www.facebook.com/tanmodel/posts/621247291396869 V.P.