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Fast forward in time, and the metal wheels combined with the Taigen lower hull meant a transmission upgrade to Taigen black steel gearboxes. Also opted for the Taigen early tracks which are way nicer than the original plastic HL. As I'm going for a minimalist approach I removed most of the moulded on tools, and following Uncle Nightshift's video advice the hull and turret received some glue 'n putty armour texturing. Mr Kovac also served as inspiration when it came to the battle damage ... this initial will look like it had a hard fight to get back home, as shown by the copious shell impacts

Removed the headlights from the hull front corners, as I read somewhere that crews often did that before heading into battle, and spent an evening applying green stuff welds to the hull.
One thing that really bugged me was the rear hull wall which was bowed outwards slightly and also left a fairly significant gap where it met the upper hull. I made a new one out of 3mm alloy plate, at least it would stay straight and provide a blank canvas upon which to add detailing. After trial fitting I etch primed it to ensure the paint wouldn't fall off too quickly, then JB welded some L-shaped brackets onto the inside to hold it securely in situ.
The above photo also shows the dual pistol ports, typical of the initial production run, and where I'd started trying out paint shades in the area that'll be hidden by the turret bin. Next step, fitting out the rear of the hull, followed by brush painting the hull and turret ...

Great build thread. I was always wanted to do one of these myself. I had over the years got most of the parts I would need so it would just be a matter of finding a "cheap" Tamiya Tiger 1 to modify. But I've decided for now no more Tigers but I'll definitely be looking forward to how yours eventually turned out. They do look really cool in the dirty winter camo over the panzergrau

Great modeling and build thread! I guess I’ll show my Tiger’s rear as well. The bottom photo shows how cool an operating convoy light looks and the exhaust shields are my older ones but the top two images shows my East Coast Armory shields (best source for initial production Tiger details) correct versions.
Following your thread and really enjoying it.


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Hey Jimster, that’s an interesting piece of info re. the convoy light. Did you fabricate it yourself as I don’t see the same at the usual suppliers on this side of the pond? Hadn’t seen the East Coast site before, imagine building an initial in 1/6 scale!

It’s a pity we have so limited photographic evidence of those very early Tigers as there are really but a handful of images of the tanks on service, not counting the photos from Gorky Park with the captured tanks. Thankfully the Lentz and Doyle material is so thorough in indicating what was fitted from the factory to the early few.

Panzermechaniker wrote: ↑Tue Jan 06, 2026 9:41 pm Great build thread. I was always wanted to do one of these myself. I had over the years got most of the parts I would need so it would just be a matter of finding a "cheap" Tamiya Tiger 1 to modify. But I've decided for now no more Tigers but I'll definitely be looking forward to how yours eventually turned out. They do look really cool in the dirty winter camo over the panzergrau

Thanks for your encouragement. Hope you do eventually build one too as I’m sure you’d do a great job with it

Great build thread. I do not know what you have done, but I can now see build pictures. “IF” I was to build another Tiger I could be tempted by one of these. There is also the one with a tuned engine and LED lights. Just annoy the purists.

BTW Craig......your pics ain't visible anymore to me?
You hate me already?
Haha.
Rob.

Meter rat wrote: ↑Wed Jan 07, 2026 7:27 pm Great build thread. I do not know what you have done, but I can now see build pictures. “IF” I was to build another Tiger I could be tempted by one of these. There is also the one with a tuned engine and LED lights. Just annoy the purists.

Thanks Ian. Apparently the UK has problems with pics hosted on imgur, so now I'm attaching them directly to the posts so you guys can see the pics without issue. Funny that you were becoming tempted by another Tiger, I was half thinking of picking up an ancient Tamiya Leopard 1 that's for sale near here, inspired by your build thread of the very same tank.

Craig

Rob59 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 07, 2026 8:28 pm BTW Craig......your pics ain't visible anymore to me?
You hate me already?
Haha.
Rob.

Must be a problem with the customs men on the Dutch border tonight!!

Can you not see any of the pics Rob??

Craig

First pic I can see, is the one in which you show that first roadwheel in red
Rob.