Tamiya 1/35 Initial Tiger I WIP - Final Update

[moparmadness]

Next on the bench is a simple Tiger I. The only aftermarket will be an Aber barrel. I’ll use this as a mule to further refine armor building/weathering techniques. This fella seems like it will be a relaxing build. I bought off eBay from a smoker, so the kit has a slight odor. Here goes!

[tcoat]

Oh I will love this one! Simple build with finish as the focus is right up my alley.

[deafpanzer]

Heck yeah!!! Now you are talking...

[chromdome35]

Looks like a fun build, good use of it as a paint mule. Isn't this one of the older Tamiya Tigers?

[stikpusher]

Nov 13, 2023 9:48:11 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

Looks like a fun build, good use of it as a paint mule. Isn't this one of the older Tamiya Tigers?

No, this should be a retool after their late and mid production Tigers of the 90's. Not the same as it's older 70's vintage early production kit.

[Joe Rix]

Looking forward to watching what fun things you do with this Chad.

[Medicman71]

Very cool. Can't wait to see your build.

[moparmadness]

Thanks guys!

Quick question, does anybody know what this is?

[chromdome35]

If I was a smartass, I'd say it's a plastic part of the kit you're building.

[tcoat]

Nov 13, 2023 19:49:04 GMT -5 moparmadness said:

Thanks guys!

Quick question, does anybody know what this is?

Adapter for the hand cranked starter.


tiger1.info/EN/Starter-adapter.html


www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROnb5ouBjNc

[moparmadness]

Nov 13, 2023 20:15:45 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Nov 13, 2023 19:49:04 GMT -5 moparmadness said:

Thanks guys!

Quick question, does anybody know what this is?

Adapter for the hand cranked starter.


tiger1.info/EN/Starter-adapter.html


www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROnb5ouBjNc

Man that is a great resource! Thank you very much! Like you said, basically it’s an adapter to ensure proper alignment for the hand crank. They sure thought of everything.

[moparmadness]

Nov 13, 2023 20:10:42 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

If I was a smartass, I'd say it's a plastic part of the kit you're building.

I mean, someone had to say it! 😄

[reserve]

Definitley not the old kit. I did one a few years back and it's light years better than the seventies vintage offering...you'll find this to be a very pleasant model to build

[moparmadness]

Got wheels?!

[Tobi]

They say the Tamiya Tigers have one major flaw in them. That is the horse shoe shape of the turret is symmetrical and the gun is put at an offset from the center line, whereas the real turret has more space on the left for the gunner, rendering the shape asymmetric when looked upon from above, but the gun is in the center. Is that so as described before? If I remember correctly David Byrden stated on the other hand only the Tamiya Initial Tiger has the correct wheel details (around the hubs I believe), so Dragon or the others are not the solution here either and one would need to do a kit bash if one is obsessed with correct details. My 2 smart ass cents here.

[tcoat]

Nov 18, 2023 1:08:33 GMT -5 Tobi said:

They say the Tamiya Tigers have one major flaw in them. That is the horse shoe shape of the turret is symmetrical and the gun is put at an offset from the center line, whereas the real turret has more space on the left for the gunner, rendering the shape asymmetric when looked upon from above, but the gun is in the center. Is that so as described before? If I remember correctly David Byrden stated on the other hand only the Tamiya Initial Tiger has the correct wheel details (around the hubs I believe), so Dragon or the others are not the solution here either and one would need to do a kit bash if one is obsessed with correct details. My 2 smart ass cents here.

Just don't let anybody from Armorama look at it from above!

[Tobi]

Nov 18, 2023 1:30:23 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Nov 18, 2023 1:08:33 GMT -5 Tobi said:

They say the Tamiya Tigers have one major flaw in them. That is the horse shoe shape of the turret is symmetrical and the gun is put at an offset from the center line, whereas the real turret has more space on the left for the gunner, rendering the shape asymmetric when looked upon from above, but the gun is in the center. Is that so as described before? If I remember correctly David Byrden stated on the other hand only the Tamiya Initial Tiger has the correct wheel details (around the hubs I believe), so Dragon or the others are not the solution here either and one would need to do a kit bash if one is obsessed with correct details. My 2 smart ass cents here.

Just don't let anybody from Armorama look at it from above!

Will they faint if I do?

[Leon]

I'll be watching! Love a good Tiger build.

[kyledehart5]

I also enjoy the Tiger. So I will watch along as well

[moparmadness]

Nov 18, 2023 1:08:33 GMT -5 Tobi said:

They say the Tamiya Tigers have one major flaw in them. That is the horse shoe shape of the turret is symmetrical and the gun is put at an offset from the center line, whereas the real turret has more space on the left for the gunner, rendering the shape asymmetric when looked upon from above, but the gun is in the center. Is that so as described before? If I remember correctly David Byrden stated on the other hand only the Tamiya Initial Tiger has the correct wheel details (around the hubs I believe), so Dragon or the others are not the solution here either and one would need to do a kit bash if one is obsessed with correct details. My 2 smart ass cents here.

Holy mackerel. That’s some serious attention to detail! This one is just a quick build OTB to keep the mojo going. I fear if I start migrating towards making things “correct”, the hobby will become less of a hobby and more of an obligation. 😄

[moparmadness]

Nov 18, 2023 4:32:46 GMT -5 Leon said:

I'll be watching! Love a good Tiger build.

Welcome Leon. Paint is coming up next.

[moparmadness]

Nov 18, 2023 7:29:05 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

I also enjoy the Tiger. So I will watch along as well

Welcome Kyle. She’s hitting the paint booth next. My favorite part of the build.

[tcoat]

Nov 18, 2023 9:23:13 GMT -5 moparmadness said:

Nov 18, 2023 1:08:33 GMT -5 Tobi said:

They say the Tamiya Tigers have one major flaw in them. That is the horse shoe shape of the turret is symmetrical and the gun is put at an offset from the center line, whereas the real turret has more space on the left for the gunner, rendering the shape asymmetric when looked upon from above, but the gun is in the center. Is that so as described before? If I remember correctly David Byrden stated on the other hand only the Tamiya Initial Tiger has the correct wheel details (around the hubs I believe), so Dragon or the others are not the solution here either and one would need to do a kit bash if one is obsessed with correct details. My 2 smart ass cents here.

Holy mackerel. That’s some serious attention to detail! This one is just a quick build OTB to keep the mojo going. I fear if I start migrating towards making things “correct”, the hobby will become less of a hobby and more of an obligation. 😄

[Tobi]

Nov 18, 2023 9:23:13 GMT -5 moparmadness said:

Nov 18, 2023 1:08:33 GMT -5 Tobi said:

They say the Tamiya Tigers have one major flaw in them. That is the horse shoe shape of the turret is symmetrical and the gun is put at an offset from the center line, whereas the real turret has more space on the left for the gunner, rendering the shape asymmetric when looked upon from above, but the gun is in the center. Is that so as described before? If I remember correctly David Byrden stated on the other hand only the Tamiya Initial Tiger has the correct wheel details (around the hubs I believe), so Dragon or the others are not the solution here either and one would need to do a kit bash if one is obsessed with correct details. My 2 smart ass cents here.

Holy mackerel. That’s some serious attention to detail! This one is just a quick build OTB to keep the mojo going. I fear if I start migrating towards making things “correct”, the hobby will become less of a hobby and more of an obligation. 😄

The way I see it. You could build the most detailed model with myriads of PE and attention to correcting errors, but if the paint job and finish are only mediocre, nothing was won.
I was just curious if it's true what I have read about the turret.

[tcoat]

Nov 18, 2023 10:49:45 GMT -5 Tobi said:

Nov 18, 2023 9:23:13 GMT -5 moparmadness said:

Holy mackerel. That’s some serious attention to detail! This one is just a quick build OTB to keep the mojo going. I fear if I start migrating towards making things “correct”, the hobby will become less of a hobby and more of an obligation. 😄

The way I see it. You could build the most detailed model with myriads of PE and attention to correcting errors, but if the paint job and finish are only mediocre, nothing was won.
I was just curious if it's true what I have read about the turret.

Some say it is off and others say this release is right and others are wrong. Supposedly all the retooled kits of all production versions have been corrected so if you have a newer release (same box art) it is correct.

[moparmadness]

Nov 18, 2023 10:49:45 GMT -5 Tobi said:

Nov 18, 2023 9:23:13 GMT -5 moparmadness said:

Holy mackerel. That’s some serious attention to detail! This one is just a quick build OTB to keep the mojo going. I fear if I start migrating towards making things “correct”, the hobby will become less of a hobby and more of an obligation. 😄

The way I see it. You could build the most detailed model with myriads of PE and attention to correcting errors, but if the paint job and finish are only mediocre, nothing was won.
I was just curious if it's true what I have read about the turret.

Quite true. At first glance, the gun looks like it’s pretty much centered on the turret.

[Steve Zuleski]

Another kitty, excellent!

[reserve]

Just took a look at mine, and yes this kit does have the asymmetric turret. You'd think I'd remember that without having to look. Gotta say I like your attitude not allowing the rivet counters to spoil your enjoyment of the hobby; I don't know what they get out of their behavior

[moparmadness]

So, wheels weren’t as bad as I thought they’d be. The outer wheels got a homemade mask while the inners were roughly airbrushed along the rubber rim with no regard to accuracy. The hull and turret have been given a pin wash. Decals, filters, and washes come next.





NEAR DISASTER. I first applied a base coat of Tamiya TS-13 gloss lacquer to start decals and pin washes. I let it cure for a few days. When I applied the enamel pin wash, the clear coat softened to the point I couldn’t manipulate the wash like I wanted. Tried the same thing with oil paints and the results were the same. Frustration bubbled up. So I sprayed everything with Mr Top Coat Flat, to start over, then sprayed an acrylic gloss of Tamiya X-22. We’re back in business.

[406 Silverado]

Good save on the road wheels Chad (moparmadness). I've dealt with paints that react with each other in the past and on autos it's REALLY no fun. Looks like you found a way around the "beast" on these road wheels. Way to go!!

As far as the rivet counters go, there's always someone out there trying to be the "most intelligent one" in the bunch for catching minute stuff like that with the off-center turret. We've got a guy like that in our fleet shop. Dude drives everyone bananas.