Dragon King Tiger [Henschell turret] 1:35

[geoff m]

Somehow I seem to have bought a tank!! So far as I can remember the last tank I built was the Airfix Centurion more years ago than I care to admit. I think I was seduced by some beautiful looking parts that I could actually see.

Since this will be a completely new experience I was hoping that some one might know if there are any serious problems to look out for. Any advice gratefully received.

My plan at the moment is to build the lower hull and tracks etc as a sort of rolling chassis and then add the upper hull and then finally the turret. When each unit is finished to then bring them all together which will just leave final detailing, weathering and touching up any paint work. Will this work or will I hit serious problems?

Look forward to hearing from the experts.

Thanks very much.

[Andy K]

Join the top and bottom together first! On mine the upper hull was warped and needed a lot of liquid glue and superglue to nail it together and to do this with the road wheels in the way is just a pain. I tend to build stuff in sub-assemblies anyway i.e the wheels, hull and turret. The KT is big enough to possibly leave the tracks off till last although I have'nt got that far yet. I might still glue the tracks to the wheels and paint it all at the same time.

Also if your kit is the one with the moulded zimmerit you will have to scrape away some areas where other parts fit e.g the armoured exhaust covers, the hull MG thingy etc otherwise they will sit on top of the zimmerit which is not good. Dragon's instructions can be a bit confusing too so read them carefully before assembly. If you are REALLY nit-picky and a total accuracy freak (like me) then you will need to be careful of what parts fit a particular vehicle as Dragon give you a choice of parts but no clue as to what time-period they should be fitted. For example the rear turret hatch had the armoured covers for the springs fitted from August 1944 so if you are building an earlier vehicle from July then you don't fit them. Also there are 3 brackets for gas detectors on the turret top shown on the instructions but these were not fitted until late 1944 (october I think).That sort of stuff.

I got bored with mine after a while trying to figure out which bit belonged to which vehicle!

Hope this helps!

[T-Tango]

Somehow I seem to have bought a tank!! So far as I can remember the last tank I built was the Airfix Centurion more years ago than I care to admit. I think I was seduced by some beautiful looking parts that I could actually see.

Since this will be a completely new experience I was hoping that some one might know if there are any serious problems to look out for. Any advice gratefully received.

My plan at the moment is to build the lower hull and tracks etc as a sort of rolling chassis and then add the upper hull and then finally the turret. When each unit is finished to then bring them all together which will just leave final detailing, weathering and touching up any paint work. Will this work or will I hit serious problems?

Look forward to hearing from the experts.

Thanks very much.

Welcome to the Virgin Treadies Geoff, you've joined a small band of people venturing in to the "Dark Side" for the first time mate, theres myself and Bobsie von Buckle, just go for it, we are, you'll get loads of support from us, if you have any treadie questions the guy you want to ask, The King Treadie, The Mighty Oracle, The Font of All Knowledge, Daz Greenwood, he'll help you.

[geoff m]

Join the top and bottom together first! On mine the upper hull was warped and needed a lot of liquid glue and superglue to nail it together and to do this with the road wheels in the way is just a pain. I tend to build stuff in sub-assemblies anyway i.e the wheels, hull and turret. The KT is big enough to possibly leave the tracks off till last although I have'nt got that far yet. I might still glue the tracks to the wheels and paint it all at the same time.

D

Hope this helps!

Thanks for that. Yes it is the one with the moulded on zimmerit. I have had a look at the instructions and I see what you mean. They are not very informative. Will see how it goes though I must admit that whilst I try to be accurate I wouldnt lose any sleep if it wasnt 100%. I tend to build just for fun, not competition. Anyway its a first attempt so I will just do my best.

[geoff m]

Welcome to the Virgin Treadies Geoff, you've joined a small band of people venturing in to the "Dark Side" for the first time mate, theres myself and Bobsie von Buckle, just go for it, we are, you'll get loads of support from us, if you have any treadie questions the guy you want to ask, The King Treadie, The Mighty Oracle, The Font of All Knowledge, Daz Greenwood, he'll help you.

Thanks very much. Just go for it is exactly what I intend to do. Will try to post some pictures as I progress though all modelling is on hold till mid Jan cos my wife seems to believe my modelling room is a guest bedroom and we have people staying till then. Have been looking at Daz"s work. Bloody hell, cant compete with that and anyway he is about to turn pro! I will however be asking loads of questions as the build progresses but I do build sloooowly.

[geoff m]

Andy, after your first reply I opened some packets and tried some dry fitting. Am I glad I did!! The 2 hull parts are a very poor fit and it looks like there will be much cursing and swearing to come though nothing like there would have been without your help. Thanks again.

Geoff

[Andy K]

Glad to be of help! The way I got the hull together was 1) Glue the rear hull plate to the bottom hull and leave to set 2) Then join the top and bottom at the front (the pointy end) and when that's set THEN try and glue the upper hull to the rear plate. It might be worth fixing a thick-ish strip of plastic strip to the inside of the rear plate to support the upper deck. I did it without but I was using liquid-poly followed by superglue to speed up the drying time.

Take note that at the front you have two pieces for the towing hitches by the drive sprockets. Dragon have very kindly moulded the weld beads on them, unfortunately these will sit on top of the zimmerit which looks awful. See picture;

I mean they are fine for a non-zimmed tank but not on top of the damn stuff! I eventually carved them off.

I really must get around to finishing it one day

[Andy K]

Oh yeah...while I remember.....there's a bit that sticks on top of the front turret but you need to sand it down to make it fit properly as it's too thick;

The pic shows what it SHOULD look like after sanding. BTW Ignore the stretched sprue around the piece as I was going to improve the weld beads with a pyrogravure.

[geoff m]

Oh yeah...while I remember.....there's a bit that sticks on top of the front turret but you need to sand it down to make it fit properly as it's too thick;

The pic shows what it SHOULD look like after sanding. BTW Ignore the stretched sprue around the piece as I was going to improve the weld beads with a pyrogravure.

Thanks again Andy. I was looking forward to getting started on this but not too sure now. I think this baby may be a bit much for a first attempt. Might get the Tamiya 1/48 version [is there one?] I understand from other threads that they just fall together. Could then use it as a sort of 3D pattern.

[Andy K]

Tamiya are good in 1/48 and 1/35. The only trouble is that the 1/35 Tamiya King Tiger still retails for around £35RRP and you still have to buy the engine grills seperately, whereas with Dragon you get everything in the same box for a fiver less

Sorry if I put you off a bit but Dragon are not the easiest of builds; complicated and vague instructions and very fiddly.

[geoff m]

Tamiya are good in 1/48 and 1/35. The only trouble is that the 1/35 Tamiya King Tiger still retails for around £35RRP and you still have to buy the engine grills seperately, whereas with Dragon you get everything in the same box for a fiver less

Sorry if I put you off a bit but Dragon are not the easiest of builds; complicated and vague instructions and very fiddly.

You havnt put me off at all. I WILL build it. Might get sick of me asking stupid questions though.

[Andy K]

LOL! I never get sick of questions. As a matter of fact I'm going to get my KT off the shelf again.YAY!

[Buzby061]

If you want a lot of parts for your money Dragon are the ones to go for. I'm on the Panther A at the moment, the magic tracks are a vast improvement on the ones in the Sherman Firefly, about 3 pieces to each track. The Mk III Sherman had vinyl tracks that were fine. Italeri armour kits go together pretty well & aren't complicated. Got the Crusader & it went together a treat. Not sure about the finished result as I think the sand / yellow I used was too dark. (Buggritt!)

[geoff m]

I agree the Dragon Late Tiger is superb, and if I can i will get another.

Never doubted the quality of the kit. What I doubt is my ability to do it justice. I am sure that with the help of you fine people I will end up with something that looks like a tiger. Must say that it looks a mean beastie. In real life it must have been terrifying to face something like that in a Sherman or similar.

[T-Tango]

Hi Geoff,

As regards the 1/35 Tammy King Tiger, 'ave a look at this link.

Tammy King Tiger Linky

HTH

[Nev]

I would have hated to be in a Sherman with one of these about.

As one Sherman Commander in the Irish Guards said, "paper thin armour and a popgun". His solution? Ram the Tiger!

For my money, allied Sherman crews in NWE are amongst the bravest men of the war :salute:

Back to the model, a Dragon uber-kit would not be my recommendation for an introduction to armour, but its looking good so far.

[geoff m]

Hi Geoff,

As regards the 1/35 Tammy King Tiger, 'ave a look at this link.

Tammy King Tiger Linky

HTH

Thanks for that. Since starting this thread I have dropped many hints so will have to see what santa brings.

[geoff m]

As one Sherman Commander in the Irish Guards said, "paper thin armour and a popgun". His solution? Ram the Tiger!

For my money, allied Sherman crews in NWE are amongst the bravest men of the war :salute:

Back to the model, a Dragon uber-kit would not be my recommendation for an introduction to armour, but its looking good so far.

Yes Nev I think I agree with you but it looks as though it is my introduction so I will have to just do my best. Hopefully I will be starting it in a few days and I intend to post pictures, problems and copious requests for help as I progress.

[T-Tango]

Just wait till you get to the wheeeeeeels they'll drive you insane 30 of the bloody things on my Panzer.

[Andy K]

Why? There's no rubber tyres to paint on the King Tiger if that's what you mean? Now THAT does drive you up the wall, especially on panzer IV's.

[T-Tango]

Now THAT does drive you up the wall, especially on panzer IV's.

Exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[geoff m]

Well four months later I have actually started it. So far I have got the hull together which was a right pain cos it was twisted but by glueing the front, leaving it overnight and then twisting the top into place it seems OK. Fitted the suspension arms after sanding off the mould seam then discovered it wasnt a seam at all and was meant to be there. Dont think it will show in any event. All wheels are together and have sprayed the rims with alclad steel and then masked off the rims.

I have to say that the instructions are rubbish. Very vague and I suspect there will be a lot of headscratching to come. Will try to post some photos if I can work out how to do it.