Tiger No. 112 or 724 - Dragon - 1/35

[Nenad Ilijic]

Looking at a few close shots of the turret, and yes, it looks like there are no seams.

[Nenad Ilijic]

Hello everyone,

 

Finally managed to make some progress.

 

Turret completed. It was pretty much straightforward build:

 

 

I had an option yo use E.T. model brass version of storage bin, but I find the one included in this kit quite nice and accurate, so I decided to stick with it.

 

 

It's interesting that there are already shaped steel wires for head light included in this kit.

 

 

It would be a nice touch, however, they are wrongly shaped and being steel wires, its a bit PITA to bend them. So I decided to use copper wires instead.

 

 

I also had to change the headlight stands a bit. According to Tiger1.info stands on this tank (112) in particular were a bit different than the standard version included in this kit.

 

And here it is, almost done:

 

 

Added some paper soaked in paper shaper to the tow cables, to simulate the cloth:

 

 

Not so happy about it, but once painted, it will work I guess.

 

And here are some cable clamps (for the two cables on the roof). Plastic once from the kit are not bad at all, so I'll use them instead of the PE version, which is a bit meh.

 

 

And finally... tracks. First time dealing with the 3D printed indy tracks, so I was really looking forward to this. There are 210 links and bunch of pins included. Not sure now many links per side should I use? Two different numbers are around, 96 and 99. 

 

 

Details on these are AMAZING!

 

 

There are two different types of pins, for the inner and outer side:

 

 

Assembly is going like a charm. It is soooo easy. And most importantly, no cleanup at all! I think that it is possible to complete both tracks in 2h or so.

 

 

That's it for now. Building almost finished. Next, I'll test fit the tracks, do some minor changes and it will be ready for painting.

 

Cheers,

Nenad

 

 

 

 

[THEscaleSHOW]

2 hours ago, Nenad Ilijic said:

Hello everyone,

 

Finally managed to make some progress.

 

Turret completed. It was pretty much straightforward build:

 

 

I had an option yo use E.T. model brass version of storage bin, but I find the one included in this kit quite nice and accurate, so I decided to stick with it.

 

 

It's interesting that there are already shaped steel wires for head light included in this kit.

 

 

It would be a nice touch, however, they are wrongly shaped and being steel wires, its a bit PITA to bend them. So I decided to use copper wires instead.

 

 

I also had to change the headlight stands a bit. According to Tiger1.info stands on this tank (112) in particular were a bit different than the standard version included in this kit.

 

And here it is, almost done:

 

 

Added some paper soaked in paper shaper to the tow cables, to simulate the cloth:

 

 

Not so happy about it, but once painted, it will work I guess.

 

And here are some cable clamps (for the two cables on the roof). Plastic once from the kit are not bad at all, so I'll use them instead of the PE version, which is a bit meh.

 

 

And finally... tracks. First time dealing with the 3D printed indy tracks, so I was really looking forward to this. There are 210 links and bunch of pins included. Not sure now many links per side should I use? Two different numbers are around, 96 and 99. 

 

 

Details on these are AMAZING!

 

 

There are two different types of pins, for the inner and outer side:

 

 

Assembly is going like a charm. It is soooo easy. And most importantly, no cleanup at all! I think that it is possible to complete both tracks in 2h or so.

 

 

That's it for now. Building almost finished. Next, I'll test fit the tracks, do some minor changes and it will be ready for painting.

 

Cheers,

Nenad

 

 

 

 

Hi Nenad

 

Great build so far 👍

 

I noticed that you use the cover of the turret fan, but it was used only during dives and was used exclusively for sealing.

https://tiger1.info/EN/First-turret-fan.html

What RFM also did not do right is to make the flaps of the mufflers allternatively open, this was also the case in normal operation.
Here, too, the flaps were only closed during diving.

https://tiger1.info/EN/RM5001-exhausts.html

 

So if you don't want to dive and the crew in the tower gets a heat stroke, I recommend opening the flaps and removing the sealing cover 😁

MD

 

 

 

 

[echen]

Seeing your wiring for the headlights I ask myself - do I need to wire my 1/72 Tigers' headlights?

[Nenad Ilijic]

On 10/26/2022 at 11:38 AM, THEscaleSHOW said:

Hi Nenad

 

Great build so far 👍

 

I noticed that you use the cover of the turret fan, but it was used only during dives and was used exclusively for sealing.

https://tiger1.info/EN/First-turret-fan.html

What RFM also did not do right is to make the flaps of the mufflers allternatively open, this was also the case in normal operation.
Here, too, the flaps were only closed during diving.

https://tiger1.info/EN/RM5001-exhausts.html

 

So if you don't want to dive and the crew in the tower gets a heat stroke, I recommend opening the flaps and removing the sealing cover 😁

MD

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks, didn't know that!

 

Managed to fix the turret fan and to put flaps on the mufflers in the lock-opened position:

 

 

 

 

 

[Nenad Ilijic]

On 10/26/2022 at 12:23 PM, echen said:

Seeing your wiring for the headlights I ask myself - do I need to wire my 1/72 Tigers' headlights?

 

You mean because of the thickness? As I understand they were quite thick, there was some kind of metal tubing around the cables.

[Nenad Ilijic]

Tracks finished:

 

 

The only issue with them is that pins fall out very easy. I glued them with very little CA glue, but you have to be VERY careful. I managed to glue together few links that way. I am not sure about one thing. It looks like that it is only possible to mount the tracks that way that they run in the different directions. Is that ok?

 

And here it is, mounted.

 

 

And one more thing, does anybody know how the wiring for smoke dischargers should look like? Here's one close up photo, but it is not clear how the wires are connected and where do they enter the turret.

 

 

Cheers,

Nenad

[echen]

8 hours ago, Nenad Ilijic said:

You mean because of the thickness? As I understand they were quite thick, there was some kind of metal tubing around the cables.

@Nenad Ilijic It is a detail that is missing from my 1/72 Revell Tigers and I thought it looked good on this build - it is just a bit daunting that it will be so small in 1/72...........................

[edjbartos]

Nice work Nenad, it's coming together very nicely indeed. I do like the tracks, they look great...

 

Ed

[Model Mate]

This is an excellent build - superb etch work and great attention to detail!

[THEscaleSHOW]

11 hours ago, Nenad Ilijic said:

Tracks finished:

 

 

The only issue with them is that pins fall out very easy. I glued them with very little CA glue, but you have to be VERY careful. I managed to glue together few links that way. I am not sure about one thing. It looks like that it is only possible to mount the tracks that way that they run in the different directions. Is that ok?

 

And here it is, mounted.

 

 

And one more thing, does anybody know how the wiring for smoke dischargers should look like? Here's one close up photo, but it is not clear how the wires are connected and where do they enter the turret.

 

 

Cheers,

Nenad

 

Each cup had its own connection cable.
The 3 cables merged into one cable that disappeared into the turret roof next to the holder.
The cable was additionally secured to the turret roof with a cable clamp (not included in my model).
I made the holders from Aluminium foil, because the RFM parts were too angular and inaccurate and also the 2 screws were missing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://tiger1.info/EN/Smoke-grenade-brackets.html

 

 

 

[Nenad Ilijic]

21 hours ago, THEscaleSHOW said:

 

Each cup had its own connection cable.
The 3 cables merged into one cable that disappeared into the turret roof next to the holder.
The cable was additionally secured to the turret roof with a cable clamp (not included in my model).
I made the holders from Aluminium foil, because the RFM parts were too angular and inaccurate and also the 2 screws were missing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://tiger1.info/EN/Smoke-grenade-brackets.html

 

 

 

 

Thanks, this is very helpful. Looking at the close up photo, it looks like that on this particular tank, cable was entering the turret a little bit forward, not right next to the holder? Or maybe it's a different cable on this photo.

[Nenad Ilijic]

Hello everyone,

 

Added some wiring to the smoke dischargers according to diagram I got from @THEscaleSHOW. To add some details to the back of the holders, I used PE piece. However, I didn't have patience to replace plastic part, so I glued PE to the back of the holder. Will try to hide the seam between plastic and PE with some dissolved putty.

 

 

And here it is, sprayed with Mr. Finishing Surfacer 1500 and ready for painting.

 

 

Not sure about camouflage. Should I go with Tropen 1 as instruction sheet suggests or just plain RAL 8000? Was there an official camo scheme for Tropen 1, or just a directive to use 2/3 base color and 1/3 disruptor? Was it soft edge?

 

Cheers,

Nenad

 

[echen]

Looks fantastic. Don't think I'm up to a 1/72 version tho'.

[FrancisGL]

Hi Nenad,

those little added details look great, I'm lovin 'it.

Cheers and TC

Francis,👍

[Nenad Ilijic]

Hello everyone,

 

Made some progress today. Painted the model with base paint of Gunze H402, my favorite version of RAL 8000.

 

 

I forgot fire extinguisher and spare antenna case, so I had to add them after the painting.

 

Painted the tracks as well to the base color which is the combination of Tamiya brown and dark iron. I usually use Tamiya Flat Brown. But this time, I ran out of it, so I used Tamiya red brown. It turns out that yellow/brown hue that I like to see is far less visible. with this mix. However, I think that after the weathering, it won't be that noticeable.

 

 

I am not sure if disruptive paint was applied with side skirts attached, because during transport over the sea (and maybe over land?), side skirts were usually removed and stored separately on the turret roof. Tried to figure out looking at the photos, but even the disruptive paint is hardly noticeable anywhere. I decided to go with a guess, to attach them and apply disruptive paint over them, because I think that it will look better that way.

 

 

Next task, to apply disruptive paint of RAL 7008. I'll use MRP this time. If you have any suggestion how disruptive paint should look like (not sure if there's an official scheme?), that would be great.

 

Cheers,

Nenad

[Nenad Ilijic]

Painted disruptive camouflage. Also, mantlet and areas where armor patches were welded were painted in RAL 8020 (repairs were made in late 1942/early 1943, when 8020 become available to the units).

 

 

Camouflage was freehanded and I used MRP RAL 7008. I sprayed chipping fluid before brush painting RAL 8020, and then I did some chipping to make the edges irregular. It was a bit tricky with the mantlet. Had to mask it with VMS masking fluid and the tape.

 

 

 

And here's the result:

 

 

And the model after camouflage painting is completed. Also, I mounted the tracks.

 

 

I did some chipping as well. Combination of drybrushing and sponge chipping with a mix of Tamiya Dark Iron and Tamiya Red Brown. Also, in some places (handles etc.) added Mr. Metal Color Dark Iron, which is buffable.

 

 

Those Feifel filter lines were really PITA to assemble. Maybe there is an easier way to do that, but I struggled a lot to place them in the correct position. Had to fill few cracks with dissolved putty.

 

 

And here's the jack:

 

 

And here it is how it turned out. Sorry for the blurry images, I changed my phone and I am still struggling to take macro photos.

 

 

Chipping is maybe a bit too intensive, but I did that intentionally, because once I add some dust and dirt, it will be toned down a lot.

 

 

 

 

Next step, detail painting and attaching equipment. But that I'll do in the next session, hopefully over the weekend.

 

Cheers,

Nenad

[LeeM]

Great work on the wee bits and looking good in its paint.

[vytautas]

Hi Nenad,

Splendid job so far, great result, looks great.

 

Vytautas

P.S. In fact, what you're doing is terrible.

Now I will explain why:
Seeing your tank, I WANT TO OPEN A NEW BOX of Border Tiger and start gluing a new model, putting aside all started and unfinished things (by the way, all my models are unfinished). This means that you with your tank are a big threat to me 😀

Edited November 12, 2022 by vytautas

[Ozzy]

Brilliant thread, I’ll be following with internet as I’ve just picked the RFM first release Tiger one initial production without interior. I will be getting some extra goodies to enhance my build.

[Nenad Ilijic]

Hello everyone,

 

Some progress I made over the weekend.

 

Attached all the equipment and did some detail painting and additional chipping.

 

 

 

Those sideskirts were SO frustrating. They fell off ten times while I was attaching equipment. No wonder why they were loosing them all the time

 

I also applied decals. Cartograph decals are fantastic as always. Perfectly thin.

 

 

 

 

 

Attaching side track cable was a bit problematic. I wanted to entangle it like it was on real thing, but didn't manage to do that to look convincing. Beyond my skill level...

 

And here's the top view where equipment layout is clearly visible.

 

 

Does anybody knows what does this symbol mean?

 

 

It was painted of the right side of the tank.

 

 

Next, I'll apply some wash and pigments, but that will have to wait for the next weekend. Finally, the end is near  I am enjoying this build, but it took way tooo long.

 

Cheers,

Nenad

[Maddoxx77]

What a great build so far! Your attention to detail is so good. 

[Nenad Ilijic]

I applied brownish panel liner here and there (I try to minimize this, because it tends to look unrealistic if I go too far) and then,  I sprayed the model with MIG's deluted pigments. This one:

 

 

Always struggling to spray this stuff. Even bought a cheap airbrush to do this (0.3, 0.5 and 0.8), because it is abrasive and may damage the airbrush. However, it seams that 0.3 is to small, and airbrush is constantly clogged, while 0.5 is too much and I can't produce a layer thin enough. Do you have any experience spraying pigments? I really like the result of this technique, but I hate doing it 

 

After pigments are sprayed, I left it to dry for ~3h and rubbed it off from the surfaces exposed to wear. And then, left it to dry completely for 24h. Here's the result.

 

 

 

Then, I rubbed dry pigments to some areas where dirt and dust would usually amass. Tunisia is not only desert, but a variety of terrain types, and this tanks was on all of them. So I used a combination of three pigments:

 

 

Did some work on tracks as well.

 

 

And attached the bucket at the rear. Bucket are PE set from Plus Model. Wire is copper wire. They are both painted with Mr. Metal Color Dark Iron, which is buffable. It was then chipped with a sponge and some rust pigment was applied.

 

 

And here is the finished tank:

 

 

You can find the RFI thread here.

 

Thank for following, and thanks for all the help.

 

Cheers,

Nenad

[Hamden]

 

A stunning Tiger, great workmanship with superb paintwork and attention to detail!

What's next?

 

    Stay safe           Roger

[edjbartos]

That looks great Nenad, very nicely done indeed, well done...

 

Ed