WSN Tiger I ~ Das Reich S32 at Kursk

[Jnewboy]

This is the Das Reich S32 Tiger I at Kursk 1943. I started with the WSN Tiger as I like it better than Henglong's Tiger I. I like the lines a little better and it has more detail than the Henglong even though its a Mid-production Tiger and Henglongs is closer to an early production. I could bring the Henglong up to standards but its more work.

Modeling an actual tank from photos is MUCH more difficult than just doing a general generic build, freedom and artistic licence is gone...

Tiger_s32_2

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289567b228010ce33a13569f64e84e97

General builds can be and often are incorrect due to someone missing obvious things, bad weathering or no weathering, the wrong colors, incorrect details like wrong wheels or whatever - BUT - lots of details can go either way, however when we set out to build specific AFVs the smallest details are scrutinized and this Tiger is a great example!

Since I am doing this particular Tiger, I had to change the gun mantel but there were Tigers running around Kursk with the reinforced gun mantels. I had to change the loaders parascope but there were Tigers at Kursk without a loaders scope, some early Tigers had 2 lights, some had none... mine has 1 and matching the camo scheme exactly off of 3 existing pictures was also enjoyable. So the margin for error has left the building but challenges make us stronger!

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2kTrz8E][url=https://flic.kr/p/2kTrzaJ][url=https://flic.kr/p/2kTrza3][url=https://flic.kr/p/2kTw6QF][url=https://flic.kr/p/2kTrzew][url=https://flic.kr/p/2kTrzft][url=https://flic.kr/p/2kTw6W7][url=https://flic.kr/p/2kTrzf3][url=https://flic.kr/p/2kTqJEy][url=https://flic.kr/p/2kTp8mY][url=https://flic.kr/p/2kTs3Kr]https://flic.kr/p/2kTs3Kr

Kursk was quite a battle, largest ever fought! If you are interested in the armored warfare or the Battle of Kursk you should read "The Last Citadel" by David Robbins. It is excellent!


As a disclaimer the aerial recon flag is a matter of historical authenticity and I in no way support or promote Nazism, the Nazi party or Hate in any way shape or form. Kursk was one of the last times the Germans used these flags as they never again could count on the Luftwaffe being the ones overhead.

25frk9k

[EAO]

JNB,

Absolutely fabulous! I love the grime, dirt, and dust accumulated on the Tiger! The tracks have a great look to them too! The tattered aerial recognition flag is amazing. I really like the parched, dusty look of the soldier too! Another amazing job!

Cheers,
Eric.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Wow, JNewboy, did you do all that weathering with the grime you sell on eBay? Did you add anything to it? ...any special ways apart from what you suggest on eBay?

[Jimster]

I can vouch for it’s usefulness. A little dab will do ya.

[Jnewboy]

Wow, JNewboy, did you do all that weathering with the grime you sell on eBay? Did you add anything to it? ...any special ways apart from what you suggest on eBay?

If you go to the build thread there are some pictures along the way, Its in Other Builds. Basically we start with camo that is already slightly lighter than it should be, the dark yellow and the olive are both washed out by adding white to the paint. Then on goes the Magic Grime which filters and washes at the same time (scrub-on, wipe-off)

Then once that is done the tank looks great but not "dusty" so the way I do dust is to mix some dry dust pigment with actual fine dirt (use a sieve and a magnet to correct metals out of it) then sprinkle it on with the sieve and attach it with a coat of Dullcoat spray. Once the dullcoat is dry it makes the surface very porous and it will hold the dust pigments that you will then brush on with a make-up powder brush. Its not permanently affixed like it would be with pigment fixer and I like that as it gives you the flexibility to add more or brush away to give you the prefect look.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Thank you. I usually do the decals, wash and/or filter, pigment powder and even mud on Glosscote before fixing it all with Dullcote. I am trying just now a “museum” Königstiger (Saumer) with limited filter and little weathering. I put the glosscote only on the areas where Peddinghaus decals will go, and then I will use Dullcote. Your way seems good for picking up dust and mud, so If I use decals, I will gloss limited areas and the Dullcote before weathering. I can then fix it all with another Dullcote.

[Jnewboy]

Thank you. I usually do the decals, wash and/or filter, pigment powder and even mud on Glosscote before fixing it all with Dullcote. I am trying just now a “museum” Königstiger (Saumer) with limited filter and little weathering. I put the glosscote only on the areas where Peddinghaus decals will go, and then I will use Dullcote. Your way seems good for picking up dust and mud, so If I use decals, I will gloss limited areas and the Dullcote before weathering. I can then fix it all with another Dullcote.

Sounds good! my advise is to always try a method on a "throw-away" model or plastic sheet before actually using it. That has saved me many hours of trying to fix a mess I would have gotten in. For some reason sometimes multiple layers don't behave well together, sometimes you end up with a sort of white sheen on your model so I always have a tester first. Goodluck with it and if you want to try MagicGrime PM me.

[Jnewboy]

JNB,

Absolutely fabulous! I love the grime, dirt, and dust accumulated on the Tiger! The tracks have a great look to them too! The tattered aerial recognition flag is amazing. I really like the parched, dusty look of the soldier too! Another amazing job!

Cheers,
Eric.

Thanks Eric! I appreciate it! I'm not a huge figure collector but it is nice to have one or two by armor, it helps us remember just how big these beasts were!