"PRODUCTION" TURRET KING TIGER

[Markocaster]

Looking great Herman. Can't wait to see it finished

[ALPHA]

Looking great Herman. Can't wait to see it finished

MARK!!!! How you doin buddy????????????

Have a Super Happy New Years

ALPHA

[HERMAN BIX]

Mr Caster , Where ya been sunshine ??

[HERMAN BIX]

This thing has without a shadow of doubt been a test of endurance.
I have followed the only pictures of this machine & attempted to replicate the paint path.
Even to the point where the left side(with guards missing) were painted under the guards, plus had paint over the guards as well.
The missmatched pattern that looks to be out of place on the tank that makes sence if the guards were on.
Due to the pattern, I can mask only the turret and front 2/3rds. I will do the rear section once the Gelb has settled on the masked sections.
Im not taking any chances of overspray on the green as it will be difficult to rectify later.

There has been a bit of artistic licence with the Gelb pattern track on other areas of the right-rear and of course top deck areas, but what else can be done without period pics.

This King Tiger is sure a challenge in many aspects.

[jeff1101]

Hi Herman,

Maybe this can help you fill in the camo details on the missing (from the photos) side. This in one of the best paint done using the octopus camo I have seen. The weathering details on his tiger II are simply awesome and he did it on 1/35 scale!

http://www.network54.com/Forum/110741/m ... 58/Octopus

I think it best to apply the patterns sparsely and not get overboard with the "spots", as it looks way better and reaistic. Notice the large areas on the turret sides with no camo applied. This I think just looks great btw.

photos by ChristophOerleke) from network54.com

[ALPHA]

By the time you see this ..it will probably be too late... when I found that small image ...there was also this diagram

not sure that helps ..but it might help distinguish some grey areas

And I just found this...apparently you aren't the first to do this paint on the board...found a photo that looked like your sample
clicked on it ...and it brought me home ...yes indeed right here in our back yard
http://www.rctankwarfare.co.uk/forums/v ... 62&p=39538

Have fun Grasshopper


ALPHA

[HERMAN BIX]

Thanks Mr alpha and Mr Jeff.
The link did indeed show that there was a start at one of these back in '09, but nothing since.
There have been lots of builds begun and many of those not completed, or at least not in here.
Bit like climbing Everest summit............dont count if you dont get back.....................
I've seen those 1/35th pics and they are unbelievable........... but.

The left side pics from existing historic photos only show so much, mostly obsured by brush. They do show the odd pattern which must have been sprayed on before any guards went on towards the front of the machine above the sponson joint. That is beyond dispute. This itself creates interest.
The right side (with civilian dressed alleged crew member) again only goes down to the second section guard from the rear.
Both turret sides have suffered from burning, likely taken any paint from the centre of the turret structure, if indeed there was any to begin with.

Every pic interpretation that involves this machine are just that.....

Each are different, each are plausible, and highly likely...................but none are gospel.
That is what makes this King Tiger so enigmatic & why it is that I wanted to do one so much.

What drives me is that this AFV was the Pinnacle of German Military technological achievement at this time, & it came right from the factory down the road in Kassel (Battle lasted 4 days)
Rushed as it was, and with still very real consequences of "getting it wrong" for those involved,this projection of power was somehow marked with THE most rebelious camoflage paintwork ever seen before, or after it was done, in a premier German arms factory?

Why ?
How?
Who?

If not in the factory, then when did it get painted & why this pattern ?
If not in the factory, how was there Octopuss style paintwork where otherwise mud guards would be fitted well after final paint ?
If this was done in the factory, who or whom would have stuck their necks out to send this spartan but 'completed" machine out to fight with this non-conforming paintwork ?
Claim the payment for such on the books, requisition fuel and ordnance etc etc you get the drift.
All of which at the time would have still carried grave conequence for mis-doings.

All of this is what makes this King Tiger even more of a conundrum

If Dr Magnus Pyke was to comment I'm sure he would create even more doubt, but in a highly creative way !!

I will just wait for a sunny day with no rain & get my Gelb on
Its been pissing down here on the Gold Coast over the last few days, which is normal for storm season, but seems to be a conspiricy to waste my days off on break hiding inside over thinking things

With that in mind I will spew broken glass if the bluetack leaves any sort of mark on the green paint after two days of waiting

[HERMAN BIX]

A front view of my "Cheese Whizz" masking job, I hope in proportion to the real machine.

[HERMAN BIX]

http://armorama.kitmaker.net/modules.ph ... rd=&page=1

A lumpy gravy plot for ya's !

[billpe]

Herman, the last few were factory painted like this. A version of this scheme was due to be introduced in June of that year. The number is between 4 and 7 left like this. No one knows exactly.