Tiger 412 - s.pz.abt 506 - Ardennes Offensive

[Matdragon]

rik, your attention to detail is completely beyond me.

excellent work mate, cant wait to see this finished!

im sure it will be a master class worthy model!!

cheers,

Matt

[grim_marmazet]

Thanks for the comment Matt. I hope it'll be good enough for the masterclass when its done.

I got one more bit done before I start work today. The upper deck has the most complex parts on it. Today I did the hold down for the engine air vent cover.

I used the Aber hold down with a 0.8mm butterfly bolt on it, and replaced the actual bolts on the plate with 0.8mm steel ones, the molded on wones look a little small. The clamp for it is fully functional as well.



More tomorrow guys.
Cheers,
Rik

[littletankman]

Hi Rik , Keep it coming mate it just keeps getting better

Andy

[grim_marmazet]

Hi guys, sorry about the lack of replies for a while, it was very hectic over Christmas for me. I hope you all had a great xmas and new years.

I've managed to get a few bits done over the holidays. I've added a lot of weight to the Tiger to get a more realistic movement. It now weighs just over 14lbs! I used a lot of stick-on wheel balancing weights. I may add some Graupner 480's with 10 teeth pinions for more torque, and a more realistic speed.

I just got my airbrush as well, and i'm looking forward to painting this steel beast and finally getting it finished.

The primary focus at the moment has been the pioneer tools. I'm glad to report they are all mounted!

First is an overview of the mounted tools.


The bit i'm proudest of is the jack base block. Its made from a piece of balsa which I cut to shape and stained with 'Antique Pine' wood dye. I added dents and damage with the end of the jack, and a combination of a screwdriver and tooth pick. The metal straps were from the Aber kit painted with Mr. Metal Colour 'Iron' buffable paint, and held in place with brass rivets.


Next is the crowbar. Fairly simple, the most complex bit was the clamp.


The hammer took some time, those Aber clamps are very fiddly, but look great and are completely functional. It means I can take all the tools off before painting. The hammer head was also painted in Mr. Metal Colour 'Iron' as well, and sanded on the edges to give a worn used look.


The axe was a fairly simple to mount piece, the holder for the head took no more the 5 minutes to fold and solder, then a clamp to hold the handle in places. The shovel was a bit more complex. The head is from the Aber basic set, and was bent round a paint pot to get a slight curve in it. The handle was carved from a cocktail stick and stained with 'Antique Pine'. The round bit on the end is not as perfect as i'd have liked, but I didn't want to redo it. The head was glued on and some brass rivet heads were added as a final touch. Both the axe and shovel heads were painted in Mr. Metal Colour as well, and sanded to show wear.


That's all the tools on the outside, but i've added some on the inside! Inside the turret I added a small box for the two small screwdrivers that came with the Tamiya kit, and the allen key for the wheel grub screws. Just a small bit, but makes it handy to have with the tank, and easy to access by taking off the turret top.


I'm on the home stretch now. Not much to add, just the tow cable holders and the cables. I'm toying with the idea of adding extra track links on the glacis. I do like the look, and the one picture I can find of an Ardennes Tiger it had them, but i'm still undecided.
After the last few PE bits are added I need to add battle damage. I'm quite looking forward to that! Then time to prime and use the airbrush for the first time. I've never airbrushed a model before, so this will be a learning experience. The final bits will go on after that; extra track links, cables and stowage mostly.

Hope your enjoying my build guys, and that it'll come in helpful for someone else in the same boat.

Cheers,
Rik

[Saxondog]

Every time I go to this build it's like a mini series of let's build a Tiger VI.and you get lost in the detail as soon as you realize how small it really is,but how functional.Just overwhelms the senses.And their has to be a special class for this build.The complete guide to the Tamiya Tiger VI in 1/16 scale,to much detail for a few pictures,maybe set up in a series slide show by section. Cheers Blake

[littletankman]

Hi Rik , Excelent job you have done on those tools . Once you get this finished , take some photos out side and it will look like the real thing . Absolutly spot on work mate . I wont ask how long it took to make and fit all those tool clamps .

All the best Andy

[grim_marmazet]

Every time I go to this build it's like a mini series of let's build a Tiger VI.and you get lost in the detail as soon as you realize how small it really is,but how functional.Just overwhelms the senses.And their has to be a special class for this build.The complete guide to the Tamiya Tiger VI in 1/16 scale,to much detail for a few pictures,maybe set up in a series slide show by section. Cheers Blake

Thanks Blake. It's been a labour of love! lol There's plenty of bits I feel could be better, but as its the first model i've built since I was about 13 i'll let those bits slide. Its been very much a learning experience, and the KT I plan to do next will benefit from all i've learnt.

Oh, on the picture front, I checked the folder I store the pictures for this build in, and its upto 281 photo's so far! lol I'll post a ver comprehensive photo review in the show off section when she's finished.

Hi Rik , Excelent job you have done on those tools . Once you get this finished , take some photos out side and it will look like the real thing . Absolutly spot on work mate . I wont ask how long it took to make and fit all those tool clamps .

All the best Andy

Thanks Andy. I'm looking forward to giving her a run outside, and getting some pictures I can B+W and make look authentic. Believe it or not, the tools and clamps only took a day and a half! I'm really getting the hang of photo-etch. Its nowhere near as scary as it first looks, though a tip from me is always have spares, you tend to ruin the first few, lol.

The four most helpful things i've found for PE parts are;
Aber's AF 20 Soldering Helper, its an acid-less flux and really helps get the solder where you want it,
Aber's 0.25mm solder wire, for those really small pieces,
A very fine point paintbrush, I use a Tamiya Modelling Brush HF.
The finest point soldering iron tip you can find helps a lot as well, especially if its coated.

I hope that helps anyone looking to add some detail to their tanks.

Cheers,
Rik

[xrad]

excellent!!

I wish i was 1/16 tall, then I could take it for a ride...and use all the tools!

I also like the lead in the turret....counter weighting or scale weighting?

[grim_marmazet]

Thanks xrad. The lead started as counter weighting, but I added a load in the hull as well. This makes the Tiger move more realistically.

To go for scale weight though it would have to weigh over 1 ton, lol. I think there's just some things that will have to be inaccurate, lol.

The weights really work though, I've stuck them all around the inside of the hull, mostly on the back wall of the turret, and loads on the turret roof. The suspension movement looks a bit better, as the wheels move rather than the hull now.

Cheers,
Rik

[xrad]

the lead does make a huge difference in the motion and wheel action. i used several lbs in my JP. Have you purchased your air gun system?