COMPLETED! Tiger I Ausf E c/w Zim (15.12.12)

[spud]

Very cool Ben, thanks make her look really mean

[TRM]

Hi Ben!!

This is coming along very well!!! Great it fact!! The tracks are just awesome!!!

As for the chipping fluid....one question...did you seal the base coat before applying the Chipping fluid? I had to ask as I just used some last night and a tiny bit of water was all I needed. If there is no clear coat beneath the CF, the paint will bind to the paint above.

[Deleted]

Looking good Ben .

[wbill76]

Making good progress on this one Ben, keep at it!

[Hinksy]

Cheers fellas!

I've watched Mig's AK video on You-Tube and found the bit where he uses the AK chipping solutions and I can see where I went wrong now. I'll re-paint that hatch at the weekend and do it properly.

If you fancy trying some AK stuff this is the next best thing to the DVD!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJH6LqczUK0

Ben

[Hinksy]

Hi guys,

First off, I feel that an apology is owed on my part for the massive lack of activity coming from this tiny corner of England!

We are so busy at work with the run up to Christmas really punishing us, that I have been working 7 day weeks for the last month! Apart from making them Friuls up which seemed to take forever I really needed a good weekend to get things sorted. Luckily, after kicking up a bit of a stink at work I've been allowed to take this weekend AND next weekend off work and use them for myself. All I have off this year is Christmas and Boxing Day and New Years Day - I'm working 2pm-10pm on New Years Eve Goddarnitt!

Saturday Update: I know the last time that you saw my build it was painted with filters, Gloss Varnish applied, decals all applied and Friuls were on for a test-fit. Basically she was looking like a really nice painted plastic model and was in desperate need of some good weathering to make her look like a real 60 ton tank!

Remember - I want this to represent a fairly new tank with minimal 'physical' damage. I'm concentrating on grime effects and dirt, not chipping and denting.

Today I removed the friuls and applied a light Raw Umber Wash made with W&N Oils and AK Odourless Turpenoid. I then did a bit of dry brushing and light chipping. I broke out my AK Streaking Grimes (Rust Streaking Grimes and Winter Streaking Grimes - my favourites) These were built up on the glossy surface - mainly on the front and rear mudguards, side trackguards, sloping turret roof and the smooth surface of the rear turret bin. When dried these were streaked and I stopped when I had the look just right. I then thinned some Mig Grease/Oil mix and dotted that around the engine deck and stippled some AK Dry Mud effect around the lower sections of the hull. I've re-painted the hatch door interior and have just painted over the interior with Klear so I'll be putting the DY on that tomorrow and chipping it again.

I made up some spare Panzer III late version links and fitted them as if the crew had fitted them as additional armour around the driver's vision slot and bow MG. I rusted these up nicely as I want them to look like they have been pinched from an old knocked out Panzer. At present they have only been treated with Mig Dark Rust Pigment so more to come on them later.

Finally, using Mig Dark Wash, I have applied small pinwashes around panel lines and hatches etc - POP!

So, the tank WILL be completed tomorrow! I want to leave it overnight now to properly dry and after a short lie-in tomorrow morning I'm going to give her a final layer of Vallejo Matt Coat to tone it all down and take the Glossy shine off the build. When this has dried I will be applying some mixed, loose pigment with a brush - especially black soot around the Exhausts. I'll then do a bit of highlighting with a Graphite Stick.

Finally, all attention will turn to my Friuls. I'll start by flowing my Mig Russian Earth pigment wash mix around the links as this looks great when dry as it dries like dark, dry mud. When this has set I'll take a fine file to the tracks to expose bare metal on the guide horns and bare metal on the raised areas of the track that would be making contact with the ground.

When the Friuls are on the tank will be complete but NOT the build - there's still the base to come! It will be small and simple but will finish this build off perfectly as it will be going to shows with me! I don't want to start a new kit until next year so this should work perfectly timewise!

I'll provide more information on my base tomorrow. I'm looking forward to the base as I've got a couple of great ideas for it! The base isn't much bigger than the Tiger but will be a nice touch.

Seeing as my tank will be complete tomorrow I want to show it in all it's glory so I've only taken one photo to wet your appetites! Proper full photos tomorrow!

Here she is - nice and grimy, nearly there:



Oh, btw - did I mention that I asked for Dragons Late Panther G for Christmas? Well, it arrived the other day and obviously I had to, erm, make sure everything was intact! It's a lovely looking kit!



Sorry to go on a bit but I wanted to bring you all up-to-date as I haven't been doing much this month - we are now back on track!

Take care folks,

Ben

[deafpanzer]

Your Tiger looks just great! Have to say its one of your best work so far... can't wait to see it dirty next time after you apply pigments. Remember all Tigers came out of factory without chipping so this fits the picture.

Lucky ya! I just realized I don't have Panther G in stash... just A. I will be anxious to watch your Panther to see how it comes out so I can decide before I buy one.

[Hinksy]

Hi Andy!

I've just spent the last couple of hours on her. I've given her a light air brushing of Vallejo Matt Varnish so the pigment has some tooth. I've 'sooted up' the exhaust stacks and have applied some loose mud pigment and have also also scattered some loose stuff around on the upper hull which I've dripped pigment fixer onto. Finally I've added some light oil-runs around the rear deck and have allowed some to run over the edges.

I painted the round hatch interior last night and put some Klear (Future) on it this morning. I painted some AK chipping fluid onto the white and have just painted some DY on top of that so in another hour I'll try again at chipping it. It should work this time as I've used the clear.

In a few minutes I'm going to sort the Friuls out and fit them and she'll be done in as far as my completed GB entry. To fill the gap between now and Christmas I'll be starting the base - I want it on a base as I'll be taking it to shows next year and if I'm lucky she'll win me a prize or two aswell (chance would be a fine thing with the quality of builds I'm seeing at the minute)! When it's on the base I'm going to add the spent shell casings.

Like you say, I think it's another personal best - the grimy look really suits it and I like the fact the cammo has remained very visible as in the past I've over weathered and have lost the cammo.

Update later!

Ben

[Hinksy]

Hi guys,

Well, after a few frantic hours this afternoon I'm pleased to be able to say that the TIGER I IS COMPLETE!

I started the day by adding a light airbrushing of Vallejo Matt Varnish and I then added the pigments - both loose and fixed using thinners. The exhausts have been treated with black soot and the engine deck has been treated with thinned Mig Grease/Oil mixture and Black Soot.

The Friuls, apart from being blackened using AK's Burnishing Fluid have been coloured by flooding them with a mix of Mig Russian Earth Pigment and Thinner which dries to a nice dry mud appearance - I finished them off prior to fitting by filing the guide horns and raised areas on the treads.

Before I post photos for you guys to look over I'd like to mention that I'm going to be taking this build to a lot of shows next year so I'm going to be making up a simple rocky base. The spent shells will be added when she is on the base. I'll be starting the base next weekend onwards and will be working on it as and when but I'd like to have the base ready by Christmas. I'll still be posting updates but the build is complete. I might add a couple of spare helmets on the turret links etc but this is my finished build - it's my entry into Tigerman's 'Steel Cats' GB that he is running over on FSM:

1/35 Tiger I Ausf E in Anzio, Italy 1944 (c/w Friuls and RB Barrel):

























Thanks for looking guys - I'd love to hear any comments and suggestions for the base that I'll be building.

I'll be starting a new build after Christmas but am undecided between that Elefant, Pz. IV G, my Christmas Panther or my Flakpanzer I A (all 1/35 Dragon kits)! Not forgetting that Bronco Comet too!

I'm feeling a bit of love for that Elefant at the minute but that Panther looks great too!

Cheers guys,

Ben

[Hinksy]

Hi fellas,

Righto - I feel I've been a bit hasty in claming my build as 'complete' because it isn't. It will be complete when it's on the base and I'm happy with it!

I've also just noticed that I forgot to show wear on the drive-sprocket teeth so I'll be sorting that asap too!

So, the Tiger I isn't finished but will be completed over the next few weekends.

I also want to sort my good camera out and take some decent photos so I'm going to need to sort out some extra lighting and buy some proper background paper - taking final photos on the kitchen worktop beneath the undercupboard flourescent lighting was lazy - apologies

I'm also going to start the Christmas Panther next so I'll be entering that into this GB too.

Any tips on setting up an easy layout for photos would help me. I was going to set up a white blanket where I took these last batch of photos as the lighting is good but with a couple of white light desk lamps giving lighting from the front.

Take care guys,

Ben

[wouter]

think you did a good Ben, nice Tiggy you build yourself there!!! Even if she's not completely finished ;D

Cheers

[deafpanzer]

Agreed! Dig the streaks on the top of the turret! Again you can see the difference when you take your time to build this one.

Still undecided? Elefant or Panther? Just flip your coin and let fate decide...

[wouter]

Andy what about yours? I'm waiting for an update for ages ;D

And I'd say, go for the Elefant! ^^

Cheers

[Hinksy]

That's my conundrum - Elefant or Panther?

The Panther looks like a superb build. I do mean, superb!

The Elefant again looks like a cracker, only let down by the inclusion of old and dated Ferdy sprues and a low quality instruction sheet. The plastic barrel is a HORROR! It's a two piece jobbie that looks about 20 years old BUT of course Dragon have sorted this by including a newly tooled Muzzle Brake and replacement Aluminium gun barrel.

I'm undecided but am looking into the Elefant as the next build - it looks fun and will add a bit of variety to the cabinet!

Cheers guys,

Ben

[deafpanzer]

Elefant is probably much quicker build than Panther if you are looking that way... Just add wheels to the box.

Wouter- You didn't see my Tiger update? 8-(

[wouter]

Dec 4, 2012 9:27:30 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

Elefant is probably much quicker build than Panther if you are looking that way... Just add wheels to the box.

Wouter- You didn't see my Tiger update? 8-(

yes I did bud, but at the time I posted this one you hadn't updated yet ;D

Cheers

[Hinksy]

Hi guys,

I've been tinkering with the Tiger this afternoon and she's pretty much complete now. I wanted to add some pigment to theinsides of the Friuls as they looked far too clean and untouched so they had a light dusting. I've re-painted the extinguisher on the rear deck as my buddy on FSM, Malone Duke, kindly showed me a mixture of different coloured German WWII extinguishers (see baootom photos) and I thought that the green looked good and as it would contrast nicely against the area which it sits on which is painted DY the decision was made for me!

One main thing that I'd changed was the escape hatch - I'd wadn't to show it posed open but when I fitted it the hinge wouldn't let me drop it right open so I left it sitting at about 45 degrees as I had thought that was correct but after being shown photos it was obvious that it was very wrong, it looked like it was floating and I'd started to regret doing it - as one of my best builds I don't want to look at it and think "dammit, I wish I had never done that". Apart from 'floating' it would obviously have been VERY heavy, the turret wouldn't have turned with it open and quite simply a Tiger shown as being in 'in action' wouldn't have had this open! So, I removed the turret and as gently as possible tried to loosen it but I'd used a dab of CA to hold it in that position so I had to snap the hatch at the hinge area and refit it, add some Milliput to fill the gap and tidy it up - it looks much better now and I'm much happier with it.

Finally I took 4 x RB Brass Tiger I 88mm shell cases and painted them with Gunze Metal Colour Copper which buffs up to a nice shine. I'll add a bit of black soot pigment to the the very ends of each shell case.

I know I've looked into a making a base using scenic effects but it's not suitable for this one. I want this Tiger in my cabinet alongside my other Tiger I that I built at the beginning of the year (Dragon Initial Tiger I) so using that small base I'm going to stain the wood and simply place the Tiger on it. I'll use that larger base for the Elefant as I really want to do one but this time I'm that pleased with my build I don't want to detract from it by putting it on a poor quality base.

I've arranged to go to my Dad's best friend and my Godfathers house next Saturday. He's a superb photographer and does indoor and outdoor work - mainly nature but he has an entire indoor camera set-up. He want's me to take my Tiger so he can take some really good photos with various single colour backgrounds. He is also going to play around with the build photos on photoshop and make up some other images with real life backgrounds etc. He's going to sort me out with a decent photo lightbox and show me what my own camera can really do!

*Those photos taken next Saturday will be posted next weekend as my completed build photos

Just about done not sure what I'll do with the shells but I think 2 or 3 will be 'littered' around on the rear deck as empties chucked from the turret:





Note: Hatch now closed and extinguisher re-painted with green! Much better imo:



Ready for final photos I think?



Mr Duke's German Panzer Extinguisher photo:



I hope you like her fellas. If you can think of anything that need doing or re-painting etc please let me know! I'd like to have her ready to go for the final photos next Saturday.

I've loved this build - still undecided on what to build next though? Elefant or Panther? What would YOU like to see?

Have a good week chaps,

Ben

[Hinksy]

Good evening guys,

I would like to confirm that THE ANZIO TIGER I IS COMPLETE - DEFINATELY! 100%!

I went up town this morning and had a Brass nameplate made for the base. I'm so pleased with this build I'm over the moon

I have added some spent shell cases onto the rear deck and shut the escape hatch up - the shells aren't fixed in place btw.

My Godfather Dave took these final photos for me - MY GOD he is good! His set-up is incredible!

Final completion photos:













On the base (below) - the reflection caused the wheels to reflect off the Brass nameplate so Dave took a photo of the base on it's own and photoshopped the nameplate onto the photo below:



Rear view: Please excuse the pigment on the back. I have tidied them up now!



Please let me know what you think guys - I really hope you like her!

Take care guys,

Ben

[Deleted]

Gawd Ben !!!! I thought you were showing pics of different build with those last pics ? Man they sure as heck show your model off better . Building a fine model is one thing but taking better pics has to be your next goal man .
Looks so much better now !!!!!

[robbo]

Well done Ben, you've turned out a great model

[Hinksy]

Thanks guys,

His camera alone cost over £2,000!

He's offered to do all future 'completed build' photos for me - he made it look so easy!

I'm going to start using my new camera now - he has shown me where I was going wrong and has let me have a BIG piece of blue backing paper.

Thanks for the generous comments lads

Ben

[bbrowniii]

Nov 25, 2012 8:40:26 GMT -5 wing_nut said:

I know the color of that hatch interior has recently been debated and admittedly i did not read all of it. A comment was made about the hatch not being open in a combat situation. None of the hatches would likely be open. But in down time or on the road I could see that open for some fresh air. I would think that would be the time you would not want the big white dot visible to a sharp pilot's eye.

Fact is you guys likely have forgotten more than I know. But does not change the fact Ben, that is an outstanding piece of work.

I would think the big cloud of dust trailing behind you would be a bigger issue than a 20" circumference white-ish spot that would be virtually impossible to see by a pilot flying at 300 mph at 5000 feet.... that is one reason I've never totally bought into the debate and will still, from time to time, paint the interior of my hatches white.

[bbrowniii]

Ben
You really outdid yourself on this one. Nice build. Very sharp - I really like the degree of wear and tear vs. weathering. Really effective.

[AndyArgent.]

Great job Ben,it looks killer diller mate. Nice weathering has really bought this to life. Feel very proud.

[danb.]

Nice job Ben shes a stunner cant fault a thing....

Dan B

[Deleted]

Ok Ben . Your build sure looks great !

[afvfan]

Very nice build Ben. Not to be too picky, but, if you're going to take it to shows there are 2 things I'd like to mention. Both are minor, but both will cost you points. First, it's hard to tell from the angles so this one may be done already, but it looks like you might want to put a drop of black inside the hull MG barrel. Second, and I've been caught on this, too, is what's holding the spare Mk III track links to the front of the tank? You can't say they're magnetized because of the zim.

Other than those 2 points, like I said, that's a very good looking tiger you got there.

[Hinksy]

Hi guys,

I'm really glad you like the Tiger lads - I'm really pleased with her! It's amazing what some quality photos can do!

AFV Modeller - The build isn't going to be entered into comps (well, it's not planned to at least but who knows). It WILL be on our club table at the handful of shows we go to each year.

As for the track links - well, erm, errrr, ok - I'll have to let that one go - I had meant to show some detail where the links had been bolted on but tbh it had been fogotten about . I'm happy to leave it 'as is' for the time being and to just call it 'artistic license but should a potential competition arise it will be something I'll attend to. Thanks for pointing it out

I'll look at the MG barrel - cheers. That's easily sorted.

Ben

[afvfan]

I read too many links today. Seems I got your build confused with another I was reading on (show wise). If I had realized that, I wouldn't have gotten so nit-picky as the tank is nicely done.

[deafpanzer]

I have to say you hit home run this time. I see a huge difference in quality of modeling this time when you took your time to build this to every detail. Its definitely one of my favorites from Ben's factory for sure. Dig the spare tracks mounted on the turret... too bad my Tiggy doesn't have that. Maybe in the future...

Great job my friend! Can't wait to see you start that Panther...