Tunisian tiger "norbert" build

[tomhugill]

I plan on driving it very carefully! She's not going to be a battler, more a show piece I can drive on occasion.

[PainlessWolf]

Good Afternoon, Tom,
She is a beauty even before paint and weathering. You've summed up the last couple of tanks I have done as well, my Friend, Show pieces that I can drive on occasion. I don't battle with anyone tho' knowing Palepainter, I will no doubt see the FRAG field in Denver at some point. That will require a different kind of build. I am really enjoying this Tiger 1 build, Sir. Thank you for the plentiful pics.
regards,
Painless

[tomhugill]

I'm very envious you have access to the frag field, it's spectacular!!


Started on the tools, using trust cocktail sticks, whittled, sanded and joined in various way!

[cannedheat]

nice work tom old chap , a bit to delicate for me to attempt nice all the same ....wot wot .....

[tomhugill]

Got a fair bit done today, infact he end it almost nigh!

Done all the tools now aside from the bolt cutters (which I have mislaid ) all have wooden handles. Where cocktail sticks were too thin ( the hammer and axe) I sanded two cocktail sticks slightly flat on one side then super glued together and shaped to my requirements.

Other work has included repositioning the jack holders and adding some bits I missed first time. I've rebuilt the hooks for the engine access hatches and altered the mesh screens to fit them. I've rebuilt the bottom end of the fire extinguisher as I had the circular bit attached to the extinguisher. In reality it's just a rest. Finally I've added the spare links on the back of the tank.













I need to finish the cleaning rods but unfortunately I bought the wrong sized brass tube so they will have to wait. Still they should look good when done!

[PainlessWolf]

Good Morning,
Tom, it says Early Tiger, all over! Did that extra cool figure come with the tank? I had never thought of using real wood for the tool handles but now, cocktail sticks, that is an excellent tip. Thank you, my friend. I can see in my mind how nicely they would color using one of the pens. ;o) A panzermanner's Tiger. Oh, and in that last pic, I see another piece of Axis armor that I am waiting to see what you do with.
regards,
Painless

[tomhugill]

This fella is the DAK commander with the tamiya tiger k sprue. He's rather nice! Means I have another spare commander that originally came with the tiger.

I can't take credit for the cocktail sticks but it works really well, they're really easy to work with too. To join them to the tools I've just pinned them with a piece of brass rod.

[tomhugill]

Managed to snatch an hour after work do make some more progress, started to added detal to the barrel cleaning rods. Using cocktail sticks for the wooden bits and 2mm brass tube for the end caps I think they're looking reasonable! I've got some 1mm threaded rod for the one end and will be able to drill holes in the other end so they will actually screw together!









I've also purchased the ak interactive DAK filter, wash and mud set so will be trying my hand at some realising weathering!

[billpe]

Looks really good. Word of warning about the AK colours, if you're going to use the AK colours for RAL7027 and RAL 8020 - the Africa Korps colours for the period the Tiger was used, they're really light so its worth experimenting first. The filter is really nice though, as is the wash colour.

[tomhugill]

Thanks for the heads up! I was going to stick to tamiya acrylics (dark yellow) for the base colour and use the ak oils over this. What did you use on yours?